Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1242960
28 DEVICES & IMPLANTS How Medtronic, DePuy are protecting workers, supporting providers during COVID-19 outbreak By Angie Stewart M edtronic and DePuy Synthes representatives told Times Union Online about measures they've implemented to protect local em- ployees and support healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medtronic. Medtronic hasn't laid off local employees in Warsaw, Ind., though it has implemented work- from-home policies and is operating with limited on- site support resources. A Medtronic facility in Galway, Ireland, is producing face masks for healthcare providers, and the facility in Warsaw is working with 3D-printing company Stratasy to produce face shields and other supplies for fighting the novel coronavirus outbreak. Medtronic established a rotational schedule to enable 24/7 production. It aims to produce more than 5,000 face shields per week. Post-manufacturing, the face shields will be shipped to Minneapolis for distribution to healthcare workers in need. DePuy Synthes. To support its employees and con- tractors, Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Synthes has tak- en precautions such as suspending travel, providing access to medical professionals, enhancing site clean- ing and disinfection, and making work-from-home arrangements where possible. DePuy isn't currently experiencing "significant prod- uct supply interruptions related to COVID-19," a com- pany representative told the Times Union. e device company is keeping critical inventory at major distribution centers away from high-risk ar- eas. It is also working with suppliers on precautionary measures. n Orthofix acquires limb lengthening system in $18M deal, includes future applications for spine By Alan Condon O rthofix on March 26 completed the acquisition of assets asso- ciated with Fitbone, a limb lengthening system developed by German company Wittenstein SE. Four insights: 1. Fitbone is designed for limb lengthening of the femur and tibia bones. 2. The device features a lengthening nail implanted in the bone. More than 3,500 cases have been performed with the system in over 15 countries. 3. The transaction includes the Fitspine system to treat early onset scoliosis. 4. Terms of the deal included $18 million in cash closing consider- ation and a manufacturing supply contract with Wittenstein SE. n NuVasive bone graft substitute demonstrates positive results for lumbar fusion By Alan Condon N uVasive's Attrax Putty was shown to be an effective bone graft substitute for autograft in instrumented thoracolumbar posterolateral lumbar fusion. Four insights: 1. A Feb. 19 study published in Spine led the FDA to provide 510(k) clearance for expanded use of Attrax Putty without autograft. 2. Attrax Putty is a bioactive and osteoconductive bone void filler for the repair of bone defects, which provides an environment for bone formation without added cells or growth factors. The material is re- sorbed and replaced by bone during healing. 3. The study compared the fusion rates of the Attrax Putty with auto- graft in 100 patients across four hospital centers. 4. The fusion rates for the Attrax Putty and autograft were 55 percent and 52 percent respectively, with an overall fusion rate of 71 percent of levels. n