Highridge Medical has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement for the United States with Waypoint Orthopedics, a Runway Healthcare portfolio company.
Under the deal, Highridge will provide U.S. surgeons with Waypoint GPS, described as enabling technology intended to guide pedicle screw placement using real-time visual feedback while aiming to avoid the radiation and complexity associated with traditional navigation and robotics.
Highridge said the agreement builds on its recently announced technology acquisitions and reflects its plan to increase investment in research and development through both internal development and acquisitions. The company said it plans to launch the product later this year.
“We are excited to expand the compelling Highridge product portfolio with enabling technologies designed to enhance safety and efficiency, in both the hospital and ambulatory surgery center (ASC) settings,” said Rebecca Whitney, CEO of Highridge Medical. “Technology like Waypoint GPS, designed to improve surgical accuracy and limit radiation exposure, while respecting the surgical workflow, supports our mission to deliver intelligent, integrated solutions that improve surgical outcomes, streamline workflows, and support value-based care.”
Waypoint GPS is described as a fully disposable, single-use pedicle probe that uses proprietary color-sensing technology to provide real-time visual feedback to help determine bone type and confirm probe location. The instrument is intended to look and feel like a standard reusable pedicle probe and to require little change in technique.
The companies said the product is designed to help identify probe location as it advances, avoid cortical breaches, and reduce radiation required during traditional surgery.
Source: Press Release.
