Founded by a hand-trauma patient and her surgeon, Lifejoint Orthopedic Solutions is a Maryland medtech venture developing a small-joint replacement device for people with advanced hand arthritis. Co-founder Marcia Hart’s own table-saw injury exposed the limited options available to patients, while co-founder Ryan Katz brings experience as a Johns Hopkins-trained hand surgeon and educator. The company is pursuing research and FDA approval for an implant designed to relieve pain while preserving motion.
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Lifejoint Orthopedic Solutions, IncBorn from a hand-trauma patient’s experience and a surgeon’s clinical insight, Lifejoint Orthopedic Solutions develops a small-joint replacement device for people with advanced hand arthritis. The Maryland company brings together patient-led design and hand-surgery expertise to pursue pain relief and preserved motion where current finger-joint replacements can be unpredictable. Lifejoint is a woman-owned small business, led by co-founder and CEO Marcia Hart alongside hand surgeon Dr. Ryan Katz.BALTIMORE, MD
GRIPZGRIPZ grew from Sherwood’s effort to help Lynn continue painting despite hand osteoarthritis. The Silver Spring company now makes Sher-Hold grip attachments for people whose hand discomfort makes everyday activities or creative work difficult.SILVER SPRING, MD
NextStep ArthropedixFounded by Northeast Ohio native Randy Theken in 2014, NextStep Arthropedix is an Akron-based division of Theken Companies built around orthopedic innovation. The company develops joint implants for surgeons and patients, drawing on experience across the Theken family of medical-device businesses and making its products in the USA.AKRON, OH
Formae, IncFormae, Inc. develops CyborGel®, an investigational synthetic hydrogel cartilage implant system for minimally invasive knee resurfacing in progressive and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Founded by orthopedic surgeon Kevin Mansmann, M.D., the company brings together medical, engineering, additive-manufacturing and entrepreneurial experience built through more than 25 years of research and development. CyborGel has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation and remains limited to preclinical use while regulatory submissions and medical trials continue.DEVON, PA