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ISASS News

ISASS Past President Stephen Hochschuler, MD featured in: 8 Changes to Ensure a Brighter Future for Spine Surgery
Dr. Hochschuler is featured in this Becker's Orthopedic and Spine article. He is co-founder of the Texas Back Institute and past president and founding member of ISASS. He discusses eight changes for a more positive spine and healthcare environment in the future.
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Video: Dr. Morgan Lorio's AHRQ Testimonial
ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Chair Morgan Lorio, MD has posed a video testimonial response to the AHRQ: Comments on Key Questions. Dr. Lorio: "To exclude patients from fusion will save money; rationing spinal care will cripple the back bone of America."
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ISASS Past President and Member Panelists in Multiple Discussions on Spine at AAOS Meeting
Thomas Errico, MD and ISASS member John Bendo, MD featured panelists at the AAOS meeting held in San Francisco this week. Panel discussion include: Spine: A Review Course and Spine Realignment Planning In Adult Deformity: New Tools, Formulas And Techniques.
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Advocacy Alert: Call to Action from ISASS Coding and Reimbursement Task Force Chair Morgan Lorio, MD
"It has been brought to my attention that YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION IS REQUIRED regarding a time sensitive notice issued by the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Summarized, AHRQ has requested comments on spinal fusion for painful lumbar degenerative disc or joint diseases. It is our timely duty, and it is imperative that we respond with a strong front supporting the care of our spinal patients. As spinal surgeons, we must be actively involved in this worthy endeavor."
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ISASS Member James Yue, MD featured in: The four principles behind the advancement of spinal surgery
Dr. Yue, associate professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine talks to Spinal News International about ISASS12 and the need for “C.U.R.E”.
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ISASS Partners with SpineSearch on New Online Career Development Center
ISASS is pleased to announce a new partnership with SpineSearch which includes the creation of a Career Development Center that will appear on both ISASS.org and Spine-Search.com.
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More ISASS News in the Archives >

Spine Industry News

Dr. Stephen Hochschuler: 8 Changes to Ensure a Brighter Future for Spine Surgery
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/07/12 16:03
Stephen Hochschuler, MD, co-founder of Texas Back Institute and past president of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, discusses eight changes for a more positive spine and healthcare environment in the future.
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Invuity, Inc. Launches Advanced Visualization System for Spinal Surgeries
Device Space - 02/07/12 15:51
Invuity, a leading developer of state-of-the-art surgical visualization technology, today debuted its illuminated Eigr Taylor Retractor System at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting.
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Health Canada Issues Medical Device License to Baxano for iO-Flex® System
Yahoo! Finance US - 02/07/12 13:10
Baxano, Inc., a Silicon Valley based medical device company and manufacturer of the iO-Flex® System for spinal decompression surgery, announced today that it has received a medical device license (license # 88060) from Health Canada permitting the company to promote its iO-Flex technology throughout Canada.
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World’s Only Regional and Full-Spine Scanner on Display at AAOS
Yahoo! News - 02/07/12 10:19
The iDR-L from iCRco uses a receptor large enough to capture the entire anatomy, which reduces scan time and increases patient satisfaction. Its extra large field of use also allows users to replace or supplement their existing RAD room environment by providing the ability to do all anatomy regions...
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Fortis launches comprehensive spine care programme
NewKerala.com - 02/07/12 08:46
To make eastern India free from back and neck pains and related problems, Fortis Hospitals Kolkata launched a comprehensive spine-care programme here today.
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NYU Langone orthopaedic experts present research, clinical advances at AAOS meeting
PhysOrg.com - 02/06/12 18:00
Experts from the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center will present their latest research and clinical findings on diseases of the muscle, tendon, bone and joint at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), February 7-11 in San Francisco, California.
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Study: Anatomic Patterns Could Influence Appropriate Scoliosis Treatments
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/06/12 10:33
According to a study published in Spine, different anatomic patterns of proximal thoracic curves could cause different altered positions of the esophagus relative to the spine and result in different potential risks of esophageal injuries during thoracic pedicle screw insertion.
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BioMedGPS Launches FastTRAK B.I., a Life Sciences Business Intelligence Dashboard for Orthopedic, Spine, Biologics and Wound Care Companies
Reuters Press Release News Headlines - 02/06/12 06:28
BioMedGPS, the leader in healthcare business intelligence and competitive metrics, announces the launch of FastTRAK B.I., a new business intelligence service designed specifically for the life science industry. FastTRAK B.I. is the single most useful business intelligence resource life sciences executives can rely on as a quick, accurate and actionable industry “dashboard.”
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Study: BMP Costs High Without Much Better Results
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/03/12 14:18
A study published in Spine found that amongst the population having surgery for lumbar stenosis, there has been an uptake in the use of bone morphogenetic proteins but BMP has not related to reduced likelihood of reoperation.
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SurgLine International, Inc. First Spinal Implants Used Successfully in Medical Procedure
Yahoo! Finance US - 02/03/12 07:23
SurgLine International, Inc. today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, SurgLine, Inc. ("SurgLine") supplied its first spinal implants for a spine surgery at the end of January.
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OrthoSensor, Inc., Intelligent Orthopedic Device Innovator, Receives Two Additional Key Patents
Device Space - 02/03/12 13:36
OrthoSensor, Inc., the leader in intelligent orthopedics, announced that the United States Patent Office has granted the company two more key patents related to its intelligent orthopedic surgical platform.
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Medtronic's confidential witness still refuses to cough up Infuse docs
MassDevice - 02/02/12 14:09
A federal judge in Minnesota upholds an order that a former Medtronic employee, known only as Confidential Witness 2, must produce documents in a shareholder lawsuit over alleged off-label marketing of Medtronic's troubled Infuse bone growth protein.
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30 ASCs Performing More Than 10,000 Procedures a Year
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/02/12 11:54
Here is a list of 30 ambulatory surgery centers across the country with an annual case volume of more than 10,000 procedures.
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10 New Spine-Focused Practices & Programs
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/02/12 11:51
Here are ten new surgery centers, spine centers and neurosurgery centers opened or announced in January.
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The four principles behind the advancement of spinal surgery
Spinal News - CXVascular - 02/02/12 05:38
James Yue, associate professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA, is a programme chair for the annual meeting of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS12; 20–23 March 2012, Barcelona, Spain). He talks to Spinal News International about the need for “C.U.R.E”.
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8 Pillars of Success at Sonoran Spine Center
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/01/12 12:40
Spine practices can follow one of several different business models with a focus on either surgical cases, non-surgical cases or a mix of both. When founding his group, Sonoran Spine Center, Dennis Crandall, MD, chose a model that emphasized treating all different types of patients.
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10 Spine Surgeons & Specialists Focusing on Ethics
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/01/12 12:11
Here are 10 spine surgeons who hold leadership positions in spine-focused ethics committees and organizations.
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Which Spine Procedures Are Difficult to Receive Reimbursement For?
Becker's Orthopedic & Spine Review - 02/01/12 12:11
Six spine surgeons discuss the reimbursement environment for spine surgery.
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NLT SPINE Receives 510(k) Clearance for its Lumbar Interbody Fusion Device, PROW FUSION™
Device Space - 02/01/12 09:43
NLT SPINE, a developer of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) products, today announced that its PROW FUSION™ device received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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7 Top Concerns for Spine Surgeons in 2012
Becker's ASC Review - 02/01/12 08:29
Four spine surgeons discuss the topics weighing most heavily on them and their practices heading into 2012.
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Industry/FDA Reach $595 Million Agreement on User Fees
Orthopedics This Week - 02/01/12 11:47
The FDA and industry have reached a $595 million agreement on device user fees. The agency says the new funding will speed up review times by allowing the hiring of over 200 more staffers. The $595 million over five years is an increase from the $295 million collected the previous five years. The agreement in principle now goes to Congress for a February 15 hearing.
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