ODT’s Most-Read Stories This Week—June 24

Artificial intelligence. Pain management. Surgical navigation. 

Those were just a few of the various topics that garnered significant pageviews on ODT’s website this past week.

Riding the AI popularity wave, AZMed’s top executive provided an in-depth examination of the ways in which deep learning algorithm systems are becoming more successful at detecting fractures, traumas, and abnormalities in X-rays. “…as AI aids are becoming increasingly more intelligent, imaging exams are able to see more of the human body than ever before. For the more common ailments, the coming wave of AI tools will significantly streamline diagnoses and help patients get quality care quicker,” AZMed Co-Founder/CEO Julien Vidal writes in an online exclusive.

Pain management aficionados gravitated to news of Avanos Medical’s deal for Diros Technology, a manufacturer of radiofrequency (RF) products to treat chronic pain conditions. Diros Technology is based in Toronto, and its products deliver RF energy via precisely placed, minimally invasive probes that heat nerve tissue neat the probe’s tip, deactivating the nerve’s ability to transmit pain signals. Diros’ RF Trident further boosts Avanos’ pain management options and complement its COOLIEF cooled RF product.
 
Those following reimbursement news favored Cigna Healthcare’s national coverage for Relievant Medsystems’ Intracept Procedure. The coverage took effect June 15, and expands access to the procedure, when clinically appropriate, for patients in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The decision from Cigna Healthcare follows Palmetto GBA’s publication in March of a final Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for basivertebral nerve (BVN) ablation that expanded access to more than 5 million covered lives. Palmetto GBA is a Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) covering Medicare patients in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Spine enthusiasts undoubtedly boosted website traffic upon learning of Orthofix’s latest product launch—WaveForm A interbody for anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) procedures. WaveForm A integrates with Orthofix’s Meridian ALIF system to treat patients needing fusion due to degenerative disc disease. Its proprietary, wave-like design offers strength, porosity, and stability, with large implant graft aperture for bone graft material. These features help create an osteoinductive environment to optimize supplemental implant procedures.
 
Surgeons were the most likely fans of distribution partnership between Ortho Development Corporation and Naviswiss, a Swiss-based technology company. The collaboration aims to improve the accuracy, predictability, and documentation of hip and knee arthroplasty outcomes in the United States.The partnership combines Ortho Development’s 29 years of clinical success in hip and knee arthroplasty and Naviswiss’ miniaturized hand-held navigation solutions. Naviswiss Hip provides both landmark- and CT-based navigation. Naviplan, a pre-operative planning tool, enables reviewing and fine-tuning of the pre-operative plan. The plan can then be transferred to the Naviswiss System and used during surgery for controlled and accurate execution.

1. Deep Diving Into AI Assistance for X-Ray Diagnosis

2. Cigna Healthcare to Cover Relievant Medsystems’ Intracept Procedure

3. Avanos to Buy Pain Management Firm Diros Technology

4. Orthofix Launches 3D-Printed WaveForm A ALIF

5. Ortho Development, Naviswiss Team Up on Surgical Navigation Tech