A Medical Device Daily

The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES; Los Angeles) and its Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) task force has selected Simbionix (Cleveland) to collaboratively develop a simulation-based endoscopic hands-on skills assessment system.

One of the major challenges in training physicians to perform flexible endoscopy is the need for a standardized and efficient assessment tool to verify proficiency and identify deficiencies in a trainee’s skills. In response to this concern, SAGES formed a committee to design a Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) Program. To address the requirements of the program, both multimedia and simulation-based educational elements need to be included, followed by a high-stakes validated exam to assess both knowledge and hands-on proficiency.

Simbionix’ GI Mentor technology platform will be used to develop the hands-on endoscopic simulation component specified by the FES Program. The hands-on component will feature skills training on the basic tasks needed for flexible endoscopy.

Gary Zamler, Simbionix’ CEO, noted that, “This is clearly evidence of Simbionix leading position in the medical education market; we see this as a landmark step in the maturing of the medical simulation market. Simbionix appreciates the involvement of SAGES, a leading professional association, to advance the field of medical education through simulation-based programs for its membership. Simbionix is committed to this exciting and innovative project.”

Simbionix develops medical simulation products used for clinical education and training of medical professionals.

Tissue Genesis (TG; Honolulu) reported an exclusive distribution and licensing agreement for the human spine market with SpineSmith Partners (Austin, Texas).

Tissue Genesis will share SpineSmith’s revenues from procedures and sales using Tissue Genesis’ therapeutic cell technologies, and expects in the future to receive revenue from sales to SpineSmith of TGI 1000 cell isolation systems and disposables, over the four year term of the agreement. Additionally, SpineSmith has been granted the rights to manufacture, use and sell TGI 100 manual cell isolation kits, incorporating Tissue Genesis supplied Adipase enzyme solution.

“SpineSmith has been involved in the treatment of spine injuries for over two years, having provided bone marrow derived, autologous (the patient’s own) stem cells to over three thousand patients,” said Kevin Dunworth, founder of SpineSmith. “We believe stem cells to be the next frontier in spine surgery and the Tissue Genesis cell isolation system rapidly processes a small quantity of a patient’s own fat tissue to produce large quantities of cells, including adult stem cells and microvascular cells.”

Tissue Genesis develops tissue engineering solutions and technology to address a range of therapeutic areas including vascular, cardiovascular, and orthopedic and veterinarian. The company expects its technology to isolate autologous adipose-derived cells in less than two hours for delivery of the cells at point-of-care for immediate patient needs.

SpineSmith Partners develops implants and biologics for surgical fixation, correction and tissue regeneration of the spine.

In other agreements:

Premier Purchasing Partners said new contracts have been signed for surgical mesh products with Atrium Medical (Hudson, New Hampshire) C.R. Bard subsidiary Davol, (both Cranston, Rhode Island), Ethicon (Somerville, New Jersey) a Johnson & Johnson (J&J; Brunswick New Jersey) and W.L. Gore & Associates (Flagstaff, Arizona).

The agreements, effective Oct. 1, offer discounted pricing for acute and continuum of care members of the Premier alliance.

Premier touts itself as the largest healthcare alliance in the U.S.