The Orthopaedic Innovation Centre:
Facilitator of Canadian Med-Tech
In OIC’s 15-year history, we have directly supported more than a dozen Canadian SMEs in their development and commercialization of new, innovative medical technologies and orthopaedic implants. Below is a brief description of each of the companies, their key product(s) and projects, how they are working towards better medical care for Canadians and the role that OIC played in their commercialization.
Cohesys [Toronto, ON]
https://h2i.utoronto.ca/startup/cohesys/
Cohesys is a spin-out from University of Toronto’s Health Innovation Hub (H2I) and is making waves with their novel implant; Bone Tape, a novel material for treating fractures in the face and jaw. Minimally invasive, easy to use, shortens surgery and reduces the length of healing after surgery, compared to traditional implants made of metal (screws and plates). OIC is strength-testing their implant over time to measure how it dissolves while inside the body, leaving no trace, only a healed fracture. Data is expected to be submitted to Health Canada and FDA in early 2026 for approval of clinical use.
Octane [Kingston,
ON]
https://www.octaneco.com/
A novel spinal fusion implant Octane Exo that incorporates bone mineral into the structure which the body utilizes during the healing process. OIC has tested their product over the course of 2 years to ensure it meets strength and durability requirements and will gain approval by the US-FDA and Health Canada for surgeons to begin using it in patients. OIC is also partnered with the Biotherapeutics division of Octane, on an $8M collaborative project to develop next-generation cartilage repair implants and laboratory methods for testing their effectiveness.
Precision ADM [Winnipeg, MB]
https://precisionadm.com/
A spin-out of OIC in 2015, Precision ADM produces 3D printed medical implants as well as high-value complex parts for energy, mining, and aerospace industries. Precision ADM and OIC have worked together for over 10 years and of particular note, worked as one during the Covid-19 pandemic to produce over $50M worth of critical medical supplies (nasal swabs, masks, respirators) for Manitoba and Canada, including the first and only 3D printed nasal swab ($18M federal contract), the first medically designed and tested respirator ($38M provincial contract), the first medically certified fully compostable face mask ($1.3M federal grant), and over 50 million medical masks produced for Manitoba ($5M provincial contract).
https://www.pegamedical.com/
A medical implant designer and manufacturer for more than 20 years, Pega Medical has developed and produced thousands of innovative implants for deformity correction surgeries in children across the globe. OIC has collaborated with Pega Medical since 2019 alongside Numalogics and Spinologics to develop digital processes for rapid, low-cost, custom implant creation for the benefit of kids everywhere. Pega was recently sold to the world’s largest producer of pediatric orthopaedic implants; OrthoPediatrics, but continues to operate its core team in Montreal, serving Canadian, European, and South American physicians. Pega’s founder, Ariel Dujovne, has been a board member of OIC since our inception.
Spinologics / Spinomodulation [Montreal, QC]
https://www.spinologics.ca/
The parent company of Numalogics, is developing a novel implant for treating scoliosis in children. The implant “tether”, uses a new surgical approach which is less invasive, has a faster recovery, and helps the child retain flexibility in their spine, compared to a fully-fused spine in conventional scoliosis treatment. OIC has performed dozens of tests ($500k of business) on this tether to ensure it was safe and durable for this vulnerable patient population. OIC engineers converted their hip testing machine into a spine simulator to perform a completely new test method which will be developed into an international standard.
Numalogics [Montreal, QC]
https://numalogics.com/
OIC has worked with Numalogics for 7 years on two multi-company collaborative projects valued over $10M developing computer simulation methods and technologies to advance medical implants for children and adults. Their combined work has created an end-to-end design and manufacturing process for custom implants for children with bone deformities. They are now developing simulation methods to improve the 3D printing of orthopaedic implants. And, OIC and Numalogics have also coauthored scientific papers on improving spinal surgery through computer simulation and mechanical testing.
Win Shield Devices [Winnipeg, MB]
https://win shielddevices.com/
A small group of engineers came together during the Covid-19 pandemic to create protective equipment for healthcare professionals. Since that time, they have been in development of new PPE products for extreme environments and high-risk professions such as fire-fighters, first-responders, law enforcement, and chemical/biological disaster responders. OIC is working with Win-Shield to develop rigorous testing methods for their inclusive respirator which is designed for professionals with beards and head-dress garments for religious reasons (eg. turban) and will not compromise their safety. OIC s expertise in the PPE field comes from their collaboration with Precision ADM during the pandemic.
8 Puzzle Medical Devices [Montreal, QC]
https://www.puzzlemed.com/
A fast-paced start-up developing a minimally-invasive, quickly implanted heart pump to save the lives of patients with advanced heart failure. Puzzle recently closed a $43M Series A funding round, lead by Frank Baylis of KF Matheson. OIC was engaged to evaluate microscopic debris generated by the artificial heart pump to determine risk to the patient. This is a prime example of OIC’s capabilities and expertise being highly transferrable (cardiovascular medicine).
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Statera Medical [Montreal, QC]
https://www.stateramedical.com/
A spin-out of ecole technologie superieur (ETS), Statera is developing a shoulder implant with microscopic sensors that will measure muscle tone and ligament tension after shoulder replacement surgery. The implant will then be adjustable by the surgeon in the clinic to achieve the best outcome for each individual patient. OIC has performed durability testing on a preliminary prototype and the results are promising.
10 Bodycad [Quebec City, QC]
https://bodycad.com/en-ca/
Bodycad is a small company built on the pursuit of perfecting orthopaedic implants, with customization for every patient. OIC performed wear and durability testing of Bodycad’s partial knee replacement system back in 2016-2017. OIC and Bodycad engineers still collaborate on the development of testing standards in Canada and internationally.
11 NXMed [Quebec City, QC]
https://nxmed.ca/
A medical device design and manufacturing company specializing in customized one-off implants for reconstructive surgery (eg., oncology, tumor removal). OIC and NXMed will be collaborating in early 2026 to help bring NXMed’s newest innovations into the orthopaedic market in Canada and abroad.
12 University of BC Digital Lab [Vancouver, BC]
https://www.digitallab.org/
An interdisciplinary R&D unit of the BC Children’s Hospital dedicated to creating unique medical devices that improve children’s lives. OIC was tapped to perform a series of tests on a custom, 3D printed hip replacement device to determine its durability as well as evaluate if it passes minimum benchmarks for hip replacements.
Encephalx [Sherbrooke, QC]
https://www.encephalx.ca/
Developer of micro-sized plates and screws for head, face, and jaw reconstructive surgery. This is an example of a company which OIC was not able to help due to our equipment limitations – our machines were too big to accurately test their implants (<1 cm in size). Instead, Encephalx was forced to choose a US-based laboratory for testing.
14 University of Manitoba
Department of Mechanical Engineering. (Dr. Luo, Dr. Wu, Dr. Xing) [Winnipeg, MB].
While our collaborations with the University of Manitoba numbers in the hundreds, of particular note are recent projects with commercialization end-points. With Dr. Lunhua Luo, OIC is producing 1300+ bone samples from animals and human cadavers to be mechanically tested and compared to medical imaging density. The purpose is to identify patients in need of orthopaedic care who have softer/ weaker bone and allow the physician to choose implants that work better with the patient’s bone quality. With Dr. Nan Wu, OIC is an industry partner to support design, testing, and commercialization of new 3D printed materials for spinal implants. With Dr. Xing, OIC is planning to collaborate on tissue engineering projects, specifically cartilage repair therapies that Dr. Xing is researching in his lab.
15 University of Waterloo
Department of Mechanical Engineering. (Dr. Thomas Willett)
OIC engineers are collaborating on a project to develop a 3D printed material for filling skeletal voids and deformities with regenerative properties. The material is made from the basic minerals that make up bone and can be 3D printed into any shape for any purpose. OIC is also exploring potential for this material to be used as a better surrogate for real bone when testing orthopaedic implants, compared to traditional testing materials (plastic foams).
16 Ontario Tech University
Department of Automotive & Mechatronics Engineering. (Dr. Shabnam Pejhan).
An alumni of OIC herself, Dr. Pejhan is looking to partner again with OIC’s engineering team to develop improved computer simulator models of bone to advance our ability to test medical implants quickly, cheaply, and consistently using computer power rather than machine power. She has applied to NSERC funding to kickstart her project and OIC will support this project with testing, materials expertise, and handling overflow simulation work.
