ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—Oct. 15

New innovations and new partnerships drove ODT website traffic this past week.

The FDA okayed products from LimaCorporate and Aurora Spine Corporation, while ZimVie and ATEC rolled out their latest technologies to the market. 

LimaCorporate was the top pageview producer with the FDA approval of its PRIMA shoulder platform, which features a 3D-printed glenoid baseplate and humeral stem. The implant uses the firm’s Trabecular Titanium technology to encourage strong primary fixation and secondary bone growth. Aurora Spine Corporation also attracted cybervisitors with the FDA 510(k) clearance of its patented minimally invasive SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System. Intended for sacroiliac joint fusion for conditions including sacroiliac joint disruptions and degenerative sacroiliitis, the SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System includes a Transfixing-Cone, an ilium screw, a sacrum screw, and associated instrumentation. The SiLO TFX implants are designed to transfix the sacrum and ilium, providing stability for bony fusion.

ZimVie boosted clickrates by launching its Virage navigation system, an occipital-cervico-thoracic spinal fixation system featuring the company’s 360-degree omnidirectional extreme-angle screw. Virage aims to simplify rod alignment and minimize operating time, with screws allowing 112 degrees of conical range of motion and assisting in optimal screw placement. Virage is compatible with commercially available navigation systems and allows navigation of bone prep instruments and polyaxial screws in the spine.

Alphatec, meanwhile, made waves by introducing its new expandable interbody and access technology at this year’s North American Spine Society (NASS) annual meeting in Chicago. The technology is designed to enhance the medialized minimally invasive (MIS) posterior approach, minimizing muscle morbidity and blood loss to bring about shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries.

Orthofix generated quite a bit of chatter at the NASS meeting via its merger deal with SeaSpine. The combined entity—which would be worth roughly $693 million (estimated, based on the 12 months ended Sept. 30)—will be named before the deal closes in the first quarter next year. It will distribute products in 68 countries worldwide and employ 1,600 workers. When the merger closes, Orthofix shareholders will own approximately 56.5% of the combined company, and SeaSpine shareholders will own approximately 43.5%  respectively, on a fully diluted basis. “This transaction significantly advances our mission to deliver quality-driven solutions that make us a partner of choice for surgeons in their work to improve patient mobility,” Orthofix President and CEO Jon Serbousek said in prepared remarks. “The combined company’s portfolio of technology, expanded commercial capabilities and ability to make greater investments in innovative solutions provide a clear roadmap for sustainable, top-tier growth and increased competitiveness across a broad spectrum of products and services. We look forward to capitalizing on this merger’s tremendous value creation opportunities.”

1. FDA Approves LimaCorporate’s PRIMA Shoulder Platform

2. Orthofix to Merge With SeaSpine in All-Stock Deal

3. ZimVie Rolls Out Virage Navigation System

4. FDA Clears SiLO TFX MIS Sacroiliac Joint Fixation System

5. NASS News: ATEC Releases Expandable Tech for Medialized Posterior Procedure