Zimmer Biomet’s net sales were up 1.2% year-over-year in the second quarter. CEO Bryan Hanson said the ROSA Knee robotic surgery system is performing even better than expected since it launched earlier this year, and is expected to be an important revenue-driver in the future.

Most of the major medical device companies have reported sales and earnings for the last three months of 2017 and the full year. Cardiovascular companies are succeeding with new technology while continuing to grow revenues from established technologies, especially in emerging markets. Orthopedic firms are looking to new technology, like surgery robots and neurostimulation, to differentiate themselves from the competition and improve profits.

Starts & Stops is a regular feature highlighting Medtech Insight's monthly picks of noteworthy clinical trial announcements, initiations, completions, and suspensions. The list for December is headlined by announcements on Edwards' transcatheter valve technologies. Meanwhile, MValve, a company Boston Scientific has invested in, is not going forward with a planned trial of its MValve dock device with Boston Scientific's Lotus valve, which is currently off the market.