Bioventus, a Durham, N.C.-based medtech firm focused on orthopedic healing, has rolled out the next generation of its Exogen Ultrasound Bone Healing System in the United States.
The device includes new compliance capabilities and a new smartphone app, according to the company. Exogen also is available in Europe, Canada and Australia.
Exogen is used to treat bone fractures. It uses low-intensity pulsed ultrasound to help stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
According to the company, the device has an 86 percent heal rate for fractures not healing on their own and offers 38 percent faster healing of indicated fresh fractures.The new version introduces new treatment compliance capabilities, such as a treatment tracking calendar and patient treatment history, to help physicians ensure that patients are appropriately using and benefiting from the device. Also available is a new smartphone app called Exogen Connects, which is designed to help patients more easily adhere to their treatment regimen, company officials said.
The free app, available through the iTunes App Store and Google Play, provides treatment reminders, information on fracture healing, videos on how to use the device as well as customer service information.
“As healthcare continues to evolve, focus on patient compliance, satisfaction, and quality of care will be even more important drivers. Exogen is a great solution to meet these requirements as it assists patients with fractures to help heal more rapidly. Exogen and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound clinical evidence is well documented in over 654 published studies and is well known by practitioners that treat fractures,” explained Allison London Brown, vice president of global marketing for Bioventus. “A theme that we heard regularly as we partnered with our customers including physicians, patients, and insurers/payers was the importance of adhering to the physician’s prescribed treatment regimen. This input informed the next-generation Exogen development to incorporate new features including the treatment tracking calendar that will provide patients and physicians visual indications on their individual treatment status.”
Exogen is a portable, lightweight device that features an ultrasound probe that patients place on their skin at the site of the bone break for 20 minutes a day. Patients can perform the treatment at home.
The latest version replaces the Exogen 4000+ model. The company says it is more "user friendly" with a new color LCD screen, splash-proof casing, and sleeker, lightweight design. It also comes with a rechargeable battery.
Bioventus was formed in May 2012—formerly the Biologics and Clinical Therapies division of Smith & Nephew. Investment firm Essex Woodlands owns 51 percent of Bioventus, while Smith & Nephew still owns 49 percent. It is a biologics firms focused on the orthopedic market.