• Login
    • Join
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Exclusives
    • Manufacturing
    • Markets
    • Top 10
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Events
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • Manufacturing
  • Markets
  • Top 10
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Events
  • Microsites
  • Current & Past Issues
    Features
    Departments
    Columns
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Editorial Guidelines
    eNewsletter Archive
    Top Features
    Making the Grade: Orthopedic Materials Spotlight

    Mending Mishaps: A Trauma Technology Overview

    Life, Interrupted: The 2020 Year in Review

    Machining Modern Medicine

    Lessons from the Lab: Testing Orthopedic Devices
    Breaking News
    Certifications
    Clinical Trials
    Device Approvals & Patents
    Financial & Deals
    International
    Market Data & Trends
    OEM News
    Orthopedic Innovators
    People
    Product & Service Releases
    Products
    Quality, Recalls & Risk
    Regulatory & Legal
    Supplier & Contract Mfg.
    Live From Shows
    Top News & Features
    DePuy Synthes Receives 510(k) FDA Clearance for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution

    OrthoPediatrics Expands Agent Network in Three European Countries

    Studies Show FlareHawk Expandable Cage Delivers Favorable Fusion, Patient Outcomes

    Rapid Recovery Protocol Can Lead to Increased Range of Motion After TKA

    Boston Scientific Releases WaveWriter Alpha Spinal Cord Stimulators in U.S.
    3-D Printing/Additive Mfg.
    Assembly & Automation
    Biocompatibility & Testing
    Clean Room
    Coatings/Surface Modification
    Contract Manufacturing
    Design
    Extrusion
    Finishing
    Forging & Casting
    Instruments, Cases & Trays
    International/Offshoring
    Laser Processing
    Materials
    Machining & Tooling
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    Prototyping
    Research & Developement
    Software & Quality
    Staffing, Training & Prof. Dev.
    Supply Chain

    DePuy Synthes Receives 510(k) FDA Clearance for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution

    Studies Show FlareHawk Expandable Cage Delivers Favorable Fusion, Patient Outcomes

    Rapid Recovery Protocol Can Lead to Increased Range of Motion After TKA

    CMS Expedites Breakthrough Device Access; Industry Applauds
    Biologics
    Bracing/Prosthetics
    Extremities
    Imaging
    Instruments
    Large Joint
    MIS/Robotics
    Spine/Neurology
    Trauma/Sports
    Top Markets
    HSS, Zimmer Biomet's Solution for the Episode of Orthopedic Care

    Rising to the Challenge: Q&A with AAOS Second VP Dr. Savoie

    Teleconferencing in the OR

    Material Advantage: How Additive Manufacturing Can Revolutionize Orthopedics

    Market Conditions Ripe for Robotics Growth
    Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    White Papers
    Add New Company
    International Buyers Guide Companies
    Sayan Orthopaedics Ltd.

    MedTorque Inc.

    Lyons

    WuXi AppTec

    Lincotek Medical
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    • Magazine
      • Current & Past Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Departments
      • Columns
      • Digital Edition
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Editorial Guidelines
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • Breaking News
    • Buyers' Guide
      • Companies
      • Categories
      • Company Capabilities
      • White Papers
      • Add Your Company
    • Manufacturing
      • 3-D Printing/Additive Mfg.
      • Assembly & Automation
      • Biocompatibility & Testing
      • Clean Room
      • Coatings/Surface Modification
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Design
      • Extrusion
      • Finishing
      • Forging & Casting
      • Instruments, Cases & Trays
      • International/Offshoring
      • Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Machining & Tooling
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • Prototyping
      • Research & Developement
      • Software & Quality
      • Staffing, Training & Prof. Dev.
      • Supply Chain
    • Markets
      • Biologics
      • Bracing/Prosthetics
      • Extremities
      • Imaging
      • Instruments
      • Large Joint
      • MIS/Robotics
      • Spine/Neurology
      • Trauma/Sports
    • Top 10
    • Online Exclusives
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • Events
      • Industry Events
    • Live from Show Event
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
      • Advertise With Us
    Columns

    What’s Apple Been Up To?

    Apple is building its bench with teams of physicians and engineers creating software and hardware to address the healthcare market.

    Maria Shepherd, President and Founder, Medi-Vantage08.11.20
    Apple’s goal is still largely aspirational in the orthopedic healthcare space, despite public announcements such as CEO Tim Cook’s prediction that health will ultimately be the company’s “greatest contribution to mankind.”1 Apple is building its bench through relationships with orthopedic companies like Zimmer Biomet and its teams of physicians and engineers creating software and hardware targeting the healthcare market. Will the new digital health innovations such as Zimmer Biomet’s mymobility transform the joint replacement standard of care?

    Why This Is Important
    Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon—they all want to be in the healthcare space, and the scale of their businesses provides them resources much greater than what’s seen in traditional medtech. Zimmer Biomet recognizes this and has started a remote care management system with new mymobility features on the Apple Watch.2

    This is an expansion of a first-ever remote care management system in orthopedics with a goal to transform the pre- and post-operative joint replacement experience. These features expand the existing software between Apple and Zimmer Biomet from the first generation mymobility care management system, launched in October 2018.

    The second generation of mobility metrics will measure gait quality to provide healthcare professionals with more real-time patient information to augment the clinical decision-making process. Patients get an improved connected and customizable experience during their episode of care.

    Gait quality metrics leverage the capabilities of Apple’s network through sensors in the Apple Watch and iPhone to store walking speeds and double-support time (defined as the amount of time where both feet touch the ground) when walking on flat level surfaces. No GPS is used. Gait quality metrics will be available to hip and knee joint replacement patients that opt in, as well as their healthcare professionals. Zimmer Biomet expects the mymobility app will be a new and effective way to mitigate patient issues while enhancing the patient experience, obviating the need for additional physician office visits.

    mymobility’s gait quality metrics from Apple Watch allow clinicians to compare patient progress to a database to improve management of post-op care. The gait tracking feature can assist identification of patients not recuperating at the expected pace. These metrics will also be entered into the company’s OrthoIntel Orthopedic Intelligence Platform—a solution that collects pre-, intra-, and post-op data to identify new clinical insights for physicians and their care teams.

    What Has Apple Done So Far?
    Apple is not the worldwide smartphone market leader (Table 1). In the U.S., the sales of iPhones as compared to Android are shrinking. iPhone sales dropped from 38.1 percent in 3Q18 to 36.1 percent in 3Q19, a drop of 2 percent. Android increased by 1.8 percent from 61.8 percent in 2018 to 63.6 percent in 2019.4


    Table 1: June 2019 to June 2020 mobile operating system market share worldwide3

    In China, the dogs in the fight are not limited to Apple and Android leaders like Samsung. Local Chinese brands account for 79.3 percent of sales in the Chinese market. Huawei and Honor combined have a 46.8 percent market share, easing the impact from the U.S.-China trade dispute.4

    Apple has successfully targeted the Big-Five European markets against Android (Table 2), leveraging the strengths of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. In the latest smartphone study5 for 3Q19, the iPhone accounts for 19 percent of all smartphone sales across Germany, France, U.K., Spain, and Italy. Android’s market share across the five markets remained dominant, even though they lost a slight amount of market share (down 1.5 percent in the quarter). Other operating system usage declined from 0.7 percent market share to 0.2 percent. Lower unit market shares for the iPhone contrast sharply with Android revenues, due to the immense price difference between the two smartphones.


    Table 2: Big-Five EU Market Share for iPhone vs. Android5

    Outside of orthopedics, Apple is grabbing the healthcare flag and running with it via an exciting new portfolio of products and services in healthcare.

    First and foremost is the Apple Watch. Apple positions health as a use case and as a brand. The Apple Watch provides heart rate monitoring, with an ECG to detect heart rhythm irregularities, activity tracking, integration with third-party wellness apps, fall detection alerts, and more.

    In addition, Apple is trying to get patients to incorporate lab results and medical history into their iPhones.6 Apple Health Records is another electronic medical record (EMR) that still has some software usability issues to work out. The largest EMRs have built firewalls around access to patient records and are bare-knuckle fighting over market share. Currently, patients using Apple Health Records must remember which doctors and hospitals they have seen and log into those portals to capture the data.

    For the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple has teamed with Google to create contact tracing technology for smartphones. These will allow public health experts to build apps to track patients who have been exposed to the coronavirus.

    A Double-Edged Sword
    It’s no surprise physicians are of two minds regarding the use of patient health devices. Some doctors are pro-use, citing increased patient attention to personal health, while others feel analyzing patient-generated information is overwhelming and something they aren’t reimbursed for. Many doctors are uncertain about the accuracy of wearables when tracking patient health data. In addition, to make patient-generated data usable, it must integrate better with an EMR dashboard so the care team can see trends in a structured way.

    A Finger in Every Pie
    Apple is increasing its healthcare revenues by partnering with insurers like Aetna to market and sell more of its devices. In some programs, patients can pay down the price of a device like the Apple Watch while demonstrating healthy behavior.7 Apple has also reportedly begun discussions with private Medicare plans about subsidizing Apple Watch costs for seniors.

    There is a longer game here. In the future, Apple could own a body of clinical evidence to get into the business of population health risk management. If Apple can improve the quality of care and reduce costs, it will reach the holy grail that supports AI in healthcare.

    Preventive health will expand the Apple Watch’s market opportunity. Expect more game-changers if Apple can introduce non-invasive glucose or blood-pressure monitoring sensors. With sensors like these, the market for a home-use device on a smartphone increases dramatically. At that point, Apple’s iPhone could reach a much bigger market. It is estimated 60 percent of Americans have one or more co-morbidities8 and one out of every three Americans are at high risk for Type 2 diabetes (Table 3).9


    Table 3: The Apple opportunity in U.S. preventive health8,9

    The Medi-Vantage Perspective
    We have several early-stage clients utilizing the strengths of the big four (Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Samsung) to harness their investment in healthcare. Also, is your device compatible with the iPhone to collect the data? If your device utilizes the cloud in any way, consider leveraging a smartphone, especially if you are targeting patients. The cost of HIPAA compliance is an issue, but the price for this certification will be coming down. 

    References
    1. bit.ly/odt200701
    2. bit.ly/odt200702
    3. bit.ly/odt200703
    4. bit.ly/odt200704
    5. bit.ly/odt200705
    6. bit.ly/odt200706
    7. bit.ly/odt200707
    8. bit.ly/odt200708
    9. bit.ly/odt200709


    Maria Shepherd has more than 20 years of leadership experience in medical device/life science marketing. After her industry career, including her role as VP of marketing for Oridion Medical, where she boosted the company valuation prior to a Medtronic acquisition, and director of marketing for Philips Medical, she founded Medi-Vantage. Medi-Vantage provides marketing and business strategy and innovation research for the medical device industry. Visit her website at www.medi-vantage.com.

    Related Columns

    • Stryker Strikes Back After Pandemic Slump

      Stryker Strikes Back After Pandemic Slump

      Late last year, Stryker announced it would snap up Wright Medical to fortify its position in the trauma and extremities markets.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 11.18.20

    • Large Joint
      Obesity and the Impact on Hip and Knee Implants

      Obesity and the Impact on Hip and Knee Implants

      Obesity causes multiple health issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic is only adding to the problem.
      Maria Shepherd, President and Founder, Medi-Vantage 11.18.20

    • Virtually the Same? The Challenges of Online Conferences

      Virtually the Same? The Challenges of Online Conferences

      Like everyone else on the planet, I’m turning increasingly to virtual solutions to our physical challenges in the midst of a pandemic.
      Dawn A. Lissy, Founder & President, Empirical 11.18.20


    • 13 Mistakes to Avoid in a 510k Submission

      13 Mistakes to Avoid in a 510k Submission

      The FDA 510(k) review process can broadly be divided into two steps—acceptance review and substantive review.
      Samradni Patil, Regulatory Consultant and Writer, Kolabtree 11.18.20

    • Contract Manufacturing
      A Supply Chain Strategy for Pandemic Survival

      A Supply Chain Strategy for Pandemic Survival

      Medical device supply chain managers will likely conclude that 2020 is a year best forgotten.
      Tony Freeman, President, A.S. Freeman Advisors LLC 11.18.20

    • Medical Device Equivalence Requirements Strengthened under the EU MDR

      Medical Device Equivalence Requirements Strengthened under the EU MDR

      This column focuses on the directive under EU 2017/745 on medical devices (MDR), highlighting some of the changes in claiming and demonstrating equivalence.
      Cindy Boyer, Senior Manager, International Regulatory Affairs, MCRA LLC 11.18.20


    • Solid Footing During Shaky Times: Current Compliance Considerations

      Solid Footing During Shaky Times: Current Compliance Considerations

      The changes and challenges wrought by COVID-19 have significantly impacted the medtech industry.
      Bryan Brosseau, Founder and Principal Consultant, Brosseau Consulting LLC 11.18.20

    • A Wrinkle in the COVID-19 Financial Recovery

      A Wrinkle in the COVID-19 Financial Recovery

      A British Journal of Surgery study projected the global pandemic would postpone or outright cancel 6.3 million orthopedic procedures.
      Michael Barbella, Managing Editor 09.15.20

    • Research & Development
      Trends for Orthopedic Contract R&D and Manufacturing

      Trends for Orthopedic Contract R&D and Manufacturing

      Over the past 10 years, medtech manufacturers from startups to giants have grown their levels of outsourcing to contract R&D and manufacturing partners.
      Maria Shepherd, President and Founder, Medi-Vantage 09.15.20


    • Self-Care in Business: Four Ways to Extend the Peace of Home to the Workplace

      Self-Care in Business: Four Ways to Extend the Peace of Home to the Workplace

      Like so many small business owners, the lines between work and home often blur in the Lissy household.
      Dawn A. Lissy, Founder & President, Empirical 09.15.20

    • When to Submit a 510(k)

      When to Submit a 510(k)

      When are design and manufacturing changes considered significant enough to surpass the threshold of submitting a new 510(k)?
      Tom McDougal, MS, Associate, Regulatory Affairs, Musculoskeletal Clinical Regulatory Advisers LLC 09.15.20

    • Assembly & Automation
      Behind the Scenes, Automation Drives Manufacturing Results

      Behind the Scenes, Automation Drives Manufacturing Results

      This article offers a closer look at how automation may work behind the scenes to improve quality, delivery, and cost.
      Jim Stertz, Vice President of Automation/Technology, Lowell Inc. 09.15.20


    • Experiments in Remote Orthopedic Care

      Experiments in Remote Orthopedic Care

      In an effort to protect patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many doctors are relying on telemedicine to “see” their patients through video chats.
      Sam Brusco, Associate Editor 08.11.20

    • Design
      Rising to the Challenge: Six Innovators Win Fast-Track Support to Market

      Rising to the Challenge: Six Innovators Win Fast-Track Support to Market

      These six winning submissions reflect a keen awareness of patient needs during the unique and surprising circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
      Dawn A. Lissy, Founder & President, Empirical 08.11.20

    • Biocompatibility & Testing
      Avoiding Contradictions: Testing Advice for Manufacturers

      Avoiding Contradictions: Testing Advice for Manufacturers

      Manufacturers need to evaluate their approach to preclinical testing. Avoiding contradictory study design is the most effective path forward for study sponsors.
      Mark R. Cunningham, Ph.D., Senior Director of Science and Technology, Technical Services, WuXi AppTec 08.11.20


    Trending
    • Mini MRI For Hand And Wrist Imaging Can Be Used Nearly Anywhere
    • New Chief Clinical Officer On Board At IncludeHealth
    • NuVasive XLIF - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
    • Medtech Matters: Talking Robotic Surgery with Zimmer Biomet
    • Positive Clinical Data Support Treace Medical's Lapiplasty 3D Bunion Correction
    Breaking News
    • DePuy Synthes Receives 510(k) FDA Clearance for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution
    • OrthoPediatrics Expands Agent Network in Three European Countries
    • Studies Show FlareHawk Expandable Cage Delivers Favorable Fusion, Patient Outcomes
    • Rapid Recovery Protocol Can Lead to Increased Range of Motion After TKA
    • Boston Scientific Releases WaveWriter Alpha Spinal Cord Stimulators in U.S.
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    November/December 2020

    • Making the Grade: Orthopedic Materials Spotlight
    • Mending Mishaps: A Trauma Technology Overview
    • Life, Interrupted: The 2020 Year in Review
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    BGG Obtains U.S. Patent on AstaZine Natural Astaxanthin for Heart Function During Exercise
    Qualitas Health/iwi Raises $10 Million in Investment Round
    Aker BioMarine Expands Krill Portfolio with Novel Protein Hydrolysate
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    IGL Coatings Launches Graphene Reinforced Dual System Ceramic Coating
    TAUBMANS Paint by PPG Releases ‘Chromatic Joy’ Palettes
    Huntsman Finalizes Acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    Intersect ENT Announces CMS Approval of Coding Application for Sinus Implant
    Hillrom to Buy Bardy Diagnostics for $375M
    Global Tissue and Organ Transplantation Market to Surpass $25.6 Billion by 2027
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Bone Therapeutics, Rigenerand Ink Cell Therapy Deal
    NovaQuest Private Equity Acquires CoreRx
    JS Bio and Etta Biotech Advancing Partnership
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Clarins UK Partners with Vee24
    Alastin Skincare Named as Fastest Growing Skincare Brand
    JLo Beauty Launches at Sephora & Amazon
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Top 10 Global Consumer Trends 2021
    A Surge in Interest for Supplements & Vitamins
    Gattefossé Launches Inspiration Collection
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Cowan Graphics Adds Fujifilm Inca OnsetX3 HS
    Packaging Printing Market Worth $433.4 Billion by 2025: MarketsandMarkets
    O-I Foundation Gifts $50k to Facilitate COVID-19 Vaccine Access
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    ABG keeps pace with demand with recruitment drive
    Acucote expands FSC-certified portfolio
    German manufacturer develops label workflow tool
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Honeywell Delivered 225 Million Masks in December
    Techtextil, Texprocess Postponed to 2022
    Super Strong Inks Survive Tough Environments
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    DePuy Synthes Receives 510(k) FDA Clearance for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution
    OrthoPediatrics Expands Agent Network in Three European Countries
    Studies Show FlareHawk Expandable Cage Delivers Favorable Fusion, Patient Outcomes
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    UDC Subsidiary Adesis' Website Wins 2020 MarCom Platinum Award
    Roadsimple Modernizes Warehouse Ops with Zebra Technologies
    Graphene Flagship Launches Redesigned Website

    Copyright © 2021 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login