Innovation, mergers and acquisitions
Strengthening our market leadership with innovative product launches and a historic merger
Despite the unprecedented challenges of 2020, we significantly strengthened our product and service lines, development capabilities and market reach through innovative new products and our acquisition of Wright Medical, the largest in our history.
As a recognized leader in the upper extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand), lower extremities (foot and ankle) and biologics market segments — among the fastest-growing segments in orthopaedics — Wright Medical brings a complementary product portfolio and customer base to our trauma, foot and ankle and upper extremities businesses.
Rebuilding lives, together.
Wright Medical is now part of Stryker.
The combined business enhances our global market position and reach, providing considerable opportunities to advance innovation and improve patient outcomes.
In addition, Wright’s extensive portfolio and talented professionals in biologics bring a level of expertise that will spur the development of new products in this evolving category.
OrthoSensor. We also acquired OrthoSensor, Inc., a leader in the digital evolution of musculoskeletal care and sensor technology for total joint replacement. Their accomplishments in sensor technology, coupled with expanded data analytics and increasing computational power, will strengthen the foundation of our digital ecosystem for orthopaedics.
Technological advances
2020 also saw advancements in several major product categories:
AxSOS 3 Ankle Fusion System for less customization. AxSOS 3 is a titanium ankle fusion plate system intended for the fusion of the tibio-talar joint. It was developed using SOMA, our proprietary orthopaedic design and development system that applies data from over 25,000 CT images of bones across different populations. As a result, the plates fit a range of patients with less customization.
AXS Vecta Aspiration Catheter for thrombectomy. As the first 0.074-inch lumen aspiration catheter on the market, the AXS Vecta Aspiration Catheter is designed to empower complete clot removal through aspiration alone or with a stent retriever, while maintaining reliable navigation with its soft, rounded tip and low profile 2.11mm OD.
Intramedullary Nailing System for complex foot surgeries. The launch of our T2 ICF Intramedullary nailing system offers a surgical option for patients suffering from serious foot conditions such as Charcot foot—a condition associated with diabetes which may result in poor bone quality, possible nerve damage and potential foot ulcers.
Mako Total Hip 4.0 SmartRobotics. This System provides unprecedented information, with CT-based 3D modeling and new planning features, which enable surgeons to plan a patient’s implant position while taking into account changes in pelvic tilt in the patient’s sitting, standing and supine poses. Surgeons can also visualize the femur-to-pelvis and component relationship to help detect risk of potential impingement.
Niagara Lateral Access System for spine deformities. Our lateral spine portfolio has expanded with the full launch of the Niagara Lateral Retractor System, a comprehensive and integrated minimally invasive lateral solution for treating spinal deformities in skeletally mature patients. The Niagara Lateral Retractor helps to enable control through precision, flexibility and visibility and is designed to allow surgeons to meet the various lateral spinal access challenges they encounter.
ProCuity bed series designed to address major healthcare safety challenges for patients and nurses. ProCuity, the industry’s first and only completely wireless hospital bed, was designed to help reduce bed-related falls, streamline nurse workflow and help reduce hospital costs. Connecting seamlessly to nurse call systems without cables or wires and set at a low height of 11.5 inches, ProCuity is ergonomically designed, including intuitive patient positioning and bed alarms as well as ergonomic side rails. The bed’s easy-to-use touchscreens and other components make the job of caregivers easier and more efficient while providing for a more enhanced patient experience.
Surpass Evolve Flow Diverter for aneurysm healing. The first 64-wire cobalt chromium flow diverter designed to redirect blood flow and promote healing of brain aneurysms. Through its optimized design, Surpass Evolve offers effortless delivery, predictable deployment, enhanced vessel wall apposition and an optimized flow diversion profile. Surpass Evolve is our latest innovation in flow diversion, following the launch of Surpass Streamline.
VariAx 2 Mini Fragment plating system for orthopaedic trauma. The VariAx 2 features a complete range of low-profile plate and screw options utilizing SmartLock variable angle locking technology and compression capabilities, which permit polyaxial screw placement.
Support for ambulatory surgery centers
In recent years, procedural volumes, particularly with total joints, have been migrating at an accelerated pace from the hospital outpatient department to ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). With the potential to provide over $55 billion per year in healthcare cost savings in the U.S., this rapid shift in the site of care is expected to continue well into the post-pandemic environment.
To meet the unique needs of this emerging customer, we launched an ASC-focused business in 2020, which offers ASCs access to the breadth and depth of our portfolio while delivering tailored solutions to help maximize their clinical, financial and operational outcomes.
