Category Archives: MarketMechanics
February 2019
FDA Approves Knee Implant IDE, Clears Bio-Integrative Bone Fixation Implant
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for Swedish-based Episurf Medical’s Episealer personalized knee implant and has granted 510(k) (premarket submission) clearance to Israeli-based OSSIO Ltd.’s bio-integrative material indicated “for maintenance of alignment and fixation of… Continue reading
February 2019
Cybersecurity Takes Top Spot on ECRI’s Annual Health Technology Hazards List
ECRI Institute (formerly the Emergency Care Research Institute) has published the “2019 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards” report as a free service to inform healthcare facilities about generic hazards that may arise from the use of medical devices and systems — all of which can be minimized or avoided. Continue reading
February 2019
Alliance PT Sells LTC Division
Alliance Physical Therapy Management (Alliance PT) , which is backed by GPB Capital, sold its long-term care (LTC) division to HealthPRO® Heritage, a portfolio company of the private equity firm Beecken Petty O’Keefe. The terms of the sale were not disclosed. Continue reading
February 2019
Reinforcement Learning Expedites Tuning of Robotic Prostheses
When an individual is fitted with a robotic prosthetic knee, a practitioner works with that person to modify parameters to specifically accommodate their gait, a process that can take hours. Now, a multidisciplinary team of researchers from Arizona State University (ASU), Tempe; North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh; and the University of North Carolina at… Continue reading
February 2019
2019 DMEPOS Fee Schedule Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has made available the 2019 fee schedule for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). The fee schedule is effective for dates of service beginning January 1. A 2.3% increase has been applied to DMEPOS items that are not part of the Competitive Bidding Program. Continue reading
January 2019
UA Researchers Study How to Regrow Long Bone Segments Using 3D Printing
John A. Szivek, PhD, a scientist at the University of Arizona (UA) College of Medicine – Tucson, has received a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to launch a study to determine how to heal bone fractures using a combination of 3D printing and adult stem cells. Continue reading
January 2019
CMS Improperly Paid DMEPOS Suppliers
A U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (OIG) review found that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) improperly paid $34 million to suppliers for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) that were provided to beneficiaries during inpatient stays. Continue reading
January 2019
American Joint Replacement Registry Releases 2018 Annual Report
The American Joint Replacement Registry (AJRR), the cornerstone of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons’ (AAOS) Registry Program, released its 2018 Annual Report on hip and knee arthroplasty patient outcomes. The report includes findings from 1,186,955 cumulative procedures performed between 2012 and 2017, and it provides updates on key initiatives delivered to registry stakeholders… Continue reading
January 2019
AOFAS Campaign Helps Consumers Make Informed Choices for Foot and Ankle Health
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) has launched a campaign, Look for the “O,” to encourage consumers to take charge of their foot and ankle health and choose a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon when medical care is needed. AOFAS has an interactive channel on its website that offers informational videos and resources to help consumers make informed choices. Continue reading
January 2019
ACSM Survey: Wearable Tech is New Top Fitness Trend for 2019
Wearable technology is forecast as this year’s most popular trend in fitness, according to more than 2,000 health and fitness pros surveyed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Continue reading
January 2019
Weil Inducted into National Fitness Hall of Fame
Robert Weil, DPM, is a National Fitness Hall of Fame (NFHOF) class of 2019 inductee; he joins four other inductees. Weil specializes in orthotics and sports medicine. He has written a column for the Naperville Sun and Aurora Beacon since 2007 as “The Sports Doctor,” and hosts a weekly radio show by… Continue reading
January 2019
NUPOC Appoints New Director
Chad Duncan, PhD, CRC, CPO, has been appointed director of the Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center (NUPOC), Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Duncan, an associate professor and clinical educator at NUPOC, assumed this position January 1, succeeding John W. Michael, MEd, CPO, the director since 2009. Michael will continue as an educator and will support and facilitate the transition. Continue reading
January 2019
eWellness’ CEO Sells PT Clinics to Focus on Telehealth Platform
eWellness Healthcare Corporation, Culver City, CA, which developed the PHZIO physical therapy (PT) telehealth platform, recently announced that CEO Darwin Fogt has sold all Evolution Physical Therapy clinics to solely focus on the expansion and success of eWellness. Evolution PT has six locations in California and two in Connecticut. The PHZIO platform allows physical therapists to monitor up to six patients concurrently. Continue reading
November 2018
New Shoe Insole Could Provide Healing On-the-Go
Purdue University researchers have developed a shoe insole that could help make the healing process more portable for people who have diabetes-related foot ulcers. The researchers used lasers to shape silicone-based rubber into insoles and then create reservoirs that gradually release oxygen throughout the day. Continue reading
November 2018
Curbell Plastics Named Exclusive Supplier of ProComp Sheet
Curbell Plastics, Orchard Park, NY, has been named the exclusive supplier of ProComp sheet across the U.S. ProComp is an innovative polypropylene material reinforced with carbon fibers for a 25% increase in stiffness. The individual fibers provide the ability of the composite to flow and stretch during melt temperature vacuum forming. Curbell Plastics was selected due to its orthotic and prosthetic expertise within the Curbell O&P specialty group. Continue reading
November 2018
CMS Releases 2019 HCPCS Code Changes
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes, effective for claims with a date of service on or after January 1, 2019. The following code changes are relevant to lower extremity care providers… Continue reading
November 2018
ABC Updates Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Exam
The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) has established a minimum score to pass the therapeutic shoe fitter certification exam. Certified therapeutic shoe fitters participated in an ABC standard setting meeting to set this new criteria. A new form of the CFts exam was also approved earlier this year; it will be administered for the first time in February 2019. Continue reading
November 2018
DJO Global to Be Acquired by Colfax for $13.5B
Colfax, Annapolis Junction, MD, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire DJO Global, Vista, CA, for $3.15 billion. The transaction, which will be funded with cash, debt, and equity, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. Upon closing of the sale, DJO Global will operate as a new segment within Colfax and be led by current DJO Global President and CEO Brady Shirley, who will report directly to… Continue reading
November 2018
Cleveland Clinic Researcher Receives Grant for ACL Surgery Research
Kurt P. Spindler, MD, of Cleveland Clinic and founder of the Multicenter Orthopaedic Outcomes Network (MOON) Group, has received a 5-year, $6 million grant to study techniques used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The grant, awarded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, supports a multi-center, randomized clinical trial… Continue reading
November 2018
Grant Awarded to Develop AI App to Monitor Patient Movements
A group led by Cambridge Bio-Augmentation Systems (CBAS) was awarded a £865,000 grant by Innovate UK to develop an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) platform that analyzes patients’ daily physical movements. The solution will apply to a wide range of conditions and help clinicians make data-informed decisions about patient progress and well being, with the aim of improving care and providing greater insight for patients and their families Continue reading
November 2018
HHS Seeks Public Comment on Draft Strategy to Reduce Health IT Burden
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a draft strategy to help reduce administrative and regulatory burden on clinicians caused by the use of health information technology such as electronic health records (EHRs). Continue reading
September 2018
The Future Is Knocking: Hanger, AT&T Create Network-Connected Monitoring Device for Transtibial Prostheses
Hanger, Inc. (Austin, TX) and AT&T, through its AT&T Foundry innovation center, have developed a proof of concept for what the companies are calling the industry’s first standalone, network-connected monitoring device for prosthetic limbs. The device mounts onto a transtibial prosthesis and is fit with an LTE-M modem that syncs to the cloud without relying on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or a separate mobile device. Continue reading
September 2018
In Memoriam: Paul Scherer, DPM
Well-known lecturer, author, and educator, Paul R. Scherer, DPM, passed away October 1, 2018. Scherer contributed to the podiatric profession authoring numerous scientific articles and book chapters, as well as conducting and organizing a variety of scientific workshops at both national and state meetings. Continue reading
September 2018
Right Trousers Could Help Mobility Impaired Stay Upright
Researchers at the University of Bristol, England, are leading the development of smart pants that are equipped with artificial muscles, which could help the elderly and disabled move around easily and unaided. The project, funded by a £2 million grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, incorporates several technologies including smart electronics and graphene. Continue reading
September 2018
Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act Signed into Law
On October 5, President Trump signed into law the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act (H.R 302/S. 808), which will reduce barriers to caring for student and professional athletes across state lines. According to a National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) press release, while this law advances safety practices for all sports medicine professionals, it will greatly… Continue reading
