As the year kicked off and while many were at the coast just watching the ocean but not on the beach, Stryker announced another bolt-on acquisition. The Stryker business model is to acquire niche medical device businesses and integrate their products into the Stryker product offering. The strategy is effective because Stryker already has a brilliant brand in the medical industry, and they have an established sales network. It means that any bolt-on can see a quick ramp-up in adoption.
This time they have bought OrthoSensor, a company based in Florida which specialises in sensor technology for total joint replacement. Their leading product is called VERASENSE - I'm not sure why they have named it using all caps. It is a device that is used in knee replacement operations. The device is inserted between the patient's bone and the new knee. The device allows the doctor to get real-time data around the new knee implant's balance and range of motion. Before this device, surgeons would have to use their judgement and guess.
Having a better balanced knee means that patients can heal quicker and have fewer long-term injuries. What a great device! This is a brilliant acquisition for Stryker as this technology will complement the current portfolio of orthopaedic knees.
Here is a quick video showing how the technology works - Introduction to VERASENSE Sensor-Assisted TKA.
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