Spinal Tech

Orthofix has reduced its estimates for the end-of-year results, predicting the quarterly sales between $142 million and $144 million, down from the original prediction in October of $144 million to $148 million, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

NuVasive has settled a patent dispute with Orthofix and The Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, which includes a $2 million payment from Orthofix to cover the settlement, according to a Bloomberg Businessweek report.

Wenzel Spine has formally launched the VariLift Expandable Interbody Fusion System through online multimedia resources, according to a company news release.

Jacksonville (Fla.) Orthopaedic Institute has signed an agreement with Voyant Health to license the company's integrated technologies, according to a Voyant Health news release.

Wenzel Spine, an Austin, Texas-based spinal fusion device company, has hired Jon Luedke as executive vice president, according to a company news release.

Theken Spine, an Akron, Ohio-based maker of implantable hardware for spinal fusion surgery, has been approved for a $200,000 Rapid Outreach grant from the Ohio Controlling Board, according to a Medcity News report.

Stryker has elected Allan C. Golston to become the tenth director as part of its board of directors effective Jan. 2, 2011, according to a company news release.

Stryker has increased its dividend by 20 percent and authorized the company to repurchase an additional $500 million of its stock, according to a company news release.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of New York issued a subpoena to Medtronic seeking information about the company's neurostimulation products, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Competition will intensify for the $740 million minimally invasive spinal fusion market over the next few years as more companies challenge industry leaders NuVasive and Medtronic Spinal & Biologics, according to a Millennium Research Group report.