7 medtech stories we missed this week: June 30, 2017

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From ConforMIS touting its knee replacement study to Consulting Radiologists’s new breast cancer detection tool, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning.

1. Study: Low-dose CT scanning improves Ankylosing Spondylitis assessment

A new study has shown that low-dose computed tomography (LD-CT) is more sensitive than X-rays for monitoring disease progression in people who have Ankylosing Spondylitis, according to a June 15 press release. LD-CT has previously been proven to be sensitive and reliable when assessing bone growth in different patients. The new study is designed to compare how well it can show the formation of new bony growth (syndesmophytes) and an increase in size in syndesmophytes. The study showed that LD-CT was more consistent when detecting these bone growths in AS patients than X-rays. About 30% of the patients in the study showed bony proliferation at three or more sites using LD-CT, while only 6% showed on conventional X-rays. The lead author was Dr. Anoek de Koning from the Leiden University Medical Centre in Leiden, Netherlands.

2. ConforMIS touts total knee replacement implant study

ConforMIS announced in a June 13 press release announced study results for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients treated with customized individually made (CIM) implants or standard off-the-shelf (OTS) implants. There were 248 participants in the study. About 3.3% had events at discharge with the CIM implants, whereas 14.1% had events with OTS implants. After 90 days, 8.1% had an event occur after discharge with the CIM implants and 18.2% with OTS implants. Additionally, 42.1% of patients were discharged in less than three days with CIM implants. OTS implants had 30.3% of patients discharged in less than three days. The hospital costs were also compared. CIM implants had an average cost of $16,192 and OTS has an average cost of $16,240. Follow-up care costs for CIM and OTS implants were $5,048 and $6,361 respectively.

3. Hemovent successfully completes first tests of extracorporeal life support device

Hemovent announced the the first series of its in vivo trails for its portable artificial lung technology platform that is used for extracorporeal CO2 removal and extracorporeal life support, according to a June 12 press release. The platform helps establish an artificial external blood circuit with a portable pump and gas exchanger system to support lung function or establish a full cardiopulmonary bypass. It is essentially an artificial lung that can give respiratory support to damaged lungs that cannot perform their natural duties. It can also be used as a temporary life support system that can take over the function of the heart during acute heart failure.

4. Image Stream Medical, Olympus launch telehealth solution

Olympus and Image Stream Medical announced in a June 12 press release that they have launched the industry’s first enterprise virtual presence solution, deemed the MedPresence. MedPresence allows surgical and interventional clinicians to virtually connect and collaborate in ways that have not been used before. The system has real-time sharing of procedural imagery, applications and in-room frame of reference for a context-rich and immersive experience. The system allows clinicians to securely connect to other clinical specialists, technicians, trainers and manufacturer representatives at any time, globally and virtually.

5. Cefaly touts migraine treatment study

New clinical trial results have shown that Cefaly has been a successful alternative to treating migraines, according to a June 12 press release. Cefaly is FDA-approved and is an external trigeminal nerve stimulation device that can prevent frequent episodic migraines. The device helps patients who are usually unaffected by oral migraine medication. The study showed the Cefaly treatment was able to reduce the headache days and acute anti-migraine medication intake. Bout 66% of the study participants reported being satisfied by the treatment. The device is available through prescriptions only and is the size of the palm of the hand. It uses a self-adhesive electrode that is placed on the forehead and a magnetic connection that sends tiny electrical impulses through the skin to the upper branches of the trigeminal nerve. The device works desensitize the trigeminovascular system.

6. Consulting Radiologists launches breast cancer detection tool

Consulting Radiologists announced in a June 9 press release that it has released a new tool to detect breast cancer, known as Abbreviated Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The company says the device is not intended to replace mammograms, but it is a supplement to mammograms. It is meant to help increase cancer detection for everyone, but especially those who have dense breast tissue, younger generations and those who have an average risk of developing breast cancer. The Abbreviated Breast MRI takes about 15 minutes and is affordable, according to the company. Upon completing the exam, a Consulting Radiologists radiologist will interpret the breast imaging.

7. Ventripoint touts HealthCanada win, expanded sales team

Ventripoint is touting its recent HealthCanda win for its VMS-Plus for the measurement of volumes in the other three chambers of the heart: the right atrium, left ventricle and left atrium, according to a June 8 press release. The company has also been expanding its sales team to be able to market the VMS-Plus in different markets worldwide. Its current focus is on the Middle East and North Africa. Ventripoint recently hired a representative for the North Africa region, as well as a regulatory consultant. The company has also hired a number of marketing professionals in Canada, Asia Pacific and the U.S. and a new application specialist who will work with sales staff on sales calls while training new users.

Here’s what we missed last week.

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