Stratasys’ Objet260 Dental Selection 3D Printer

During the last International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, Stratasys showcased the Objet260 Dental Selection 3D Printer. The multi-material printer targets mid/large sized dental and orthodontic labs that are trying to increase their market share.

            

According to Avi Cohen, the Director of Global Dental at Stratasys, “With the introduction of the Objet260 Dental Selection, Stratasys is closing the loop in digital dentistry by providing a 3D printer that can take the color digital file resulting from the intra-oral scanner and transform it into a color, multi-texture dental model. This directly contributes to better accuracy for the dental practitioners and better understanding for the patients.  For any dental or orthodontic lab looking for a competitive edge today and tomorrow, the Objet260 Dental Selection should be at the top of their list.”

The printer works with PolyJet dental materials that reduce equipment expenses and allow the creation of a great range of applications, including “implant testing with stone models that replicate the textures and look of gingiva for functional evaluations”. Also, labs can print clinical “guides directly with HD renderings of tooth, root, and nerve-canal anatomy color coded to illustrate different dental procedures.”

References: http://www.notey.com/external/3795481/3d-printing-hyper-real-teeth-mouths-gums-with-the-new-objet-260-dental-selection-printer-technology-3d-printing-3d-scanning-3d-software-3d-scanners.html

Brazilian technology on the cutting edge of Endovascular Disease Treatments

In consonance with current trends in endovascular devices technology, as can be seen by the big companies’ moves, Biokyra is working on two products that may enhance the performance and ease the treatment of aortic aneurysms. The Endovascular Suture is a system capable of performing sutures by minimally invasive technique. An innovative tool to the surgeon, opening new possibilities to endovascular surgery and possibly also to other surgery specialities. This is a worldwide innovative product that represents an evolution in minimally invasive procedures. Click here to watch the video.

The company is also developing the Thoracoabdominal Aneurysm Treatment Stent Graft System: designed to provide an off-the-shelf solution for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aneurysms (TAAA), while used in combination with other standard commercially available devices. This hub endoprosthesis avoids the need for custom designed devices for the treatment of branched portions of the aorta and make the treatment available to more patients. You can watch the video here.

Biokyra is always looking for business opportunities and funding. If you have an idea for a medical device or if you are an investor who is interested in getting involved, contact us.

Medtronic investing in the Endovascular Business

It seems like Medtronic is interested to continue investing in aortic and peripheral vascular business, since it has been among its fastest-growing divisions for the past five years. The company has already disclosed an investment in Arsenal AAA, a subsidiary of Arsenal Medical - which develops technology to avoid complications linked to endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures.

A few days after the announcement of this investment, Medtronic revealed its acquisition of Aptus Endosystems – maker of two FDA-cleared fastening devices and a steerable catheter for delivery of peripheral vascular products, which Medtronic will distribute. This statement was made during the Society for Vascular Surgery’s annual meeting.

    In a press release, the company said that these two investments were “demonstrations of Medtronic’s’ commitment to leadership in the Aortic space.” According to ReportsnReports.com, the market for aortic stent grafts is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 6.7% until 2020, when it is expected to reach $1.9 billion. The market research company still states  “Despite the high product price, physicians still see a significant benefit in providing endovascular options ahead of performing open surgery”.

References:

http://www.mddionline.com/article/medtronic-moves-advance-aortic-business-06-19-15

Medical Devices: From Concept to Launch

Integrated Technologies Ltd (ITL) - a global medical device product development, product design and contract manufacturing service company - has recently published an infographic that displays the entire product development cycle, from concept to commercialization and product launch.

Source: qmed.com - Infographic: The Journey from Idea to Commercialization

The infographic intends to show the development steps of a product, within a contract manufacturing company. But the process can also be replicated at large medical device companies that manufacture their products by themselves. At the bottom, one can see the early stages: idea, market research, business plan, funding round. Then comes the fun part for medical engineers: product development, product design, clinical trials. When the product is ready to be launched, marketing and sales have to do their part: commercialization.

As for post-market, Integrated Technologies Ltd listed steps such as after-sales support, obsolescence mitigation, further product development and manage regulatory change (especially true for medical devices!). The infographic also shows stages of the development of a product range, entering new markets/countries, IPO or technology transfer.

As a Brazilian-based biomedical engineering company that provides services from the idea to the pre-series production, Biokyra works to support all the stages of the project and minimize the risks of it. Our goal is to make your idea become an innovative and successful product.

References: http://www.qmed.com/mpmn/medtechpulse/infographic-journey-idea-commercialization

Foreign Capital Investment in Healthcare: China, India and Brazil

A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) on healthcare financing systems for universal coverage of 2010 suggests discussing innovative ways to increase health investment funds at a global level.

As an example of change in the entire healthcare management system is China, which has pledged by 2020 to provide health services "safe, effective, convenient and affordable" to all urban and rural residents with "a medical clinic and a hospital in each region of the country". In addition to the US $ 124 billion initially invested to restructure out-dated services, the government authorized foreign capital investment across the Chinese healthcare market, including tax incentives in some cities.

India’s situation is similar to Brazilian’s reality: lack of healthcare professionals and poor infrastructure. In 2007, the strategy to raise more money, and restructure healthcare, has allowed foreign capital investment in hospitals, which brought benefits to the country, according to a report by Rupa Chanda, published by the World Health Organization.

Brazil has recently changed the law nº 8.080/1990 and now authorizes foreign capital investment in hospitals.

References: http://saudebusiness.com/noticias/investimento-de-capital-estrangeiro-ja-muda-a-realidade-de-china-e-india/

http://saudebusiness.com/noticias/capital-estrangeiro-em-hospitais-como-alternativa-para-as-instituicoes/

The next Big Trend in Medtech: Contract Development

The medtech industry is going through some fundamental transformation. This is especially true when it comes to pricing pressure and the companies’ dilemma on how best to use R&D capital. Paul LaViolette, managing partner and chief operating officer of SV Life Sciences Advisers explained "I used to spend 9% of sales on R&D. I can’t do that anymore because I am investing in growth drivers that are not technology related, so I am reducing my R&D as a percentage of sales". He also realized that companies are using some of the R&D budget on maintaining market leadership in areas they already excel in.

And the next big medtech trend is related to it: "If you look at the big outsourcing trends over the last 10 years, it was contract manufacturing. I think the big trend in the next 10 years is going to be contract development”. Now, contract development companies developed engineering talent that is as good as what large companies have. LaViolette added that going the contract development route is also cost effective for medtech companies.

"Why should I hire 20 FTEs (full-time equivalents), put them on my benefits program, my retirement program, everything else when I can contract that out if I have faith that the contracted strategy can deliver the same benefit?” he asked rhetorically. "If it works out well, it can be part of my long term franchise strategy. Then I'll hire internal resources to support it."

However, LaViolette made it clear that “contract development allows companies to share the risk of developing new programs where they don't have the engineering skill sets internally.” Medtech companies are not going to do that if they are already the market leader.

References: http://www.mddionline.com/blog/devicetalk/The-next-big-trend-medtech-05-21-15