DePuy Synthes Acquires Medical Enterprises Distribution LLC’s Orthopedic Assets
DePuy Synthes, a part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, announced recently that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of Medical Enterprises Distribution, LLC, which includes the automated ME1000™ Surgical Impactor tool used in hip replacement surgery. The two companies had previously formed an exclusive agreement to co-market the hip application of the ME1000™. The financial terms of the acquisition are not being disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018.
According to Medical Enterprises, the ME1000™ delivers constant, stable energy that is designed to automate bone preparation, implant assembly and positioning in total hip arthroplasty (THA). DePuy Synthes said that the company plans to develop and broaden the surgical impactor technology for a range of orthopaedic surgery procedures.
“The acquisition of assets of Medical Enterprises Distribution is a key example of going beyond the implant to provide complete solutions to achieve better outcomes.” – Ciro Roemer, Company Group Chairman of DePuy Synthes
The hip replacement global market was $6.5 billion in 2015 and is predicted to reach $9.1 billion by 2025. The global market for all joint replacements is expected to reach $30 billion by 2025. Other companies in the joint replacement markets include Zimmer Biomet, Smith & Nephew, and Stryker.
In the recent press release, DePuy Synthes also announced an exclusive marketing agreement with JointPoint Inc. to co-market a hip navigation system for analysis of implant selection during THA. Earlier this year, DePuy Synthes announced the acquisition of Orthotaxy, a privately-held developer of software-enabled surgery for total and partial knee replacement. In discussing the Orthotaxy acquisition, Ciro Roemer, Company Group Chairman of DePuy Synthes, said “Our goal is to bring to market a robotic-assisted surgery technology that is an integral part of a comprehensive orthopedics platform, delivering value to patients, physicians and healthcare providers across the episode of care.” Other companies in the joint replacement market are likely seeking to create comprehensive orthopedic platforms as well.
FDA Clears New Surgery Infection Control System
The FDA recently cleared Prescient Surgical’s CleanCisionTM Wound Retraction and Protection System (CleanCisionTM), a retractable device designed to prevent surgical site infection. According to Prescient Surgical, CleanCisionTM is “a novel, first-in-class, advanced intraoperative infection control system” that utilizes an active cleansing technology.
Traditionally, practices for preventing surgical site infections (SSIs) involve administering drugs, controlling patient’s blood glucose level, maintaining optimal temperature and tissue oxygenation, using skin prep agents, and using plastic wound protectors.
The press release states that unlike traditional methods, ClearCision combines wound protection and wound cleansing. Retractable plastic sleeves protect the wound while providing direct access to the surgical site. Irrigation system continuously cleans the wound edge using sterile irrigant solution and removes contaminant using suction. Insoo Suh, cofounder of Prescient Surgical, noted that ClearCision is “a proactive approach to clearing contamination during surgery.”
The press release also notes that SSIs can be caused by bacteria entering the surgical incision site, and lead to significant financial burdens on teh healthcare system.
Jonathan Coe, cofounder, president, and CEO of Prescient Surgical, said in the press release that the company is “initially focusing on abdominal surgery and particularly colorectal surgery, where the risk, frequency and severity of [SSI] is high and the need is acute.”
Excelsius GPSTM: Globus Medical Receives 510(k) Clearance for Robotic Surgery Platform
Globus Medical announced early today that the Excelsius GPSTM surgical platform has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as reported by a press release dated August 17, 2017.
Globus Medical, which describes itself as a musculoskeletal implant manufacturer, acquired the robotics developer Excelsius Surgical and its robotic guidance device Excelsius GPSTM three years ago according to press releases. The Excelsius GPSTM platform is said to function as a robot-assisted surgery guidance system “designed to minimize radiation exposure, streamline workflow, and reproducibly assist in implant placement,” according to the press release. Globus Medical further describes the platform as being compatible for use with pre-operative CT, intra-operative CT, and fluoroscopic imaging modalities.
The FDA’s decision is stated to allow the platform for use within minimally invasive and open orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures, including screw placement applications in spine and orthopedic surgery. This announcement also follows Globus Medical’s earlier news release announcing that the Excelsius GBSTM system received CE mark approval in the European Union.
Norbert Johnson, Vice President of Robotics, Imaging, & Navigation at Globus Medical, views these results as an example of Globus Medical’s developmental capabilities:
We believe the Excelsius GPS™ System will advance patient care and provide tangible benefits for surgeons and hospitals in terms of time, accuracy and reduced radiation exposure through the application of robotic and navigation technology in spine and orthopedic surgery.
The Excelsius GPSTM received FDA 510(k) clearance after Globus Medical re-filed its 510(k) bid following an FDA decision that Globus Medical’s initial bid had not “sufficiently addressed the FDA’s questions,” according to Mass Device.
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