Rayner announced it has entered into a definitive agreement with This AG, a Swiss-based medical manufacturing company.
Refresh me on Rayner.
Headquartered in Worthing, United Kingdom with a U.S.-based office in Memphis, Tennessee, Rayner is a global manufacturing company that specializes in delivering a broad portfolio of ophthalmic products for surgeons and patients. Its lineup includes:
- Intraocular lenses (IOLs)
- Monofocal and premium
- Currently the only manufacturer in the UK
- Monofocal and premium
- Ophthalmic viscosurgical devices (OVDs)
- Ocular surface disease (OSD) solutions
- Patient outcomes digital platform (RayPRO)
Should I be familiar with This AG?
If you’re familiar with Sophi, the first battery-driven phacoemulsification (more on that in a moment), then you’re halfway there; the company is its inventor, developer, and manufacturer.
Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, This AG is a medical equipment manufacturing company focused on developing, producing, and distributing medical technology systems.
These include mechanics, design, plastics technology, electronic hardware, and software development, to name a few areas.
Gotcha. Now talk about Sophi.
Per The AG, the wireless phaco system is designed with “fast and responsive ‘triple pump fluidics’” to provide more control of anterior chamber stability during cataract surgery.
The device is marketed with three concepts for increasing efficiency:
- Mobility
- Offers surgeons high flexibility and mobility, with the intent to increase usability and ease handling in the operating room
- Simplicity
- Designed for straightforward operation and easy user handling to save time, increase productivity
- Safety
- Features the proprietary Clean Venturi and automated Cassette Slot-In-System for reducing contamination, and an intraocular pressure (IOP) control pump for high chamber stability
Give me some features.
The entire device (including the foot pedal) operates without the need for cable connection, while compressors for vitrectomy and Clean Venturi are internally integrated —eliminating any bulkiness typically associated with external compressors.
With a 180° rotatable display and adjustable tray position, Sophi can be moved to any location by using a mono-brake system.
Further, a wireless Bluetooth connection enables surgeons to transmit live microscope images to the display via WiFi.
So … how is this benefiting both sides of the deal?
The acquisition of Sophi adds to Rayner’s already robust ophthalmic surgery product portfolio. “The phaco machine plays a central role in cataract surgery,” stated CEO Tim Clover.
Sophi’s founder and CEO Thomas Koeppel expressed similar sentiments, noting that the phaco system was designed to “redefine the requirements of a perfect phaco system by focusing on the point of view of the surgeon and their team.”
“We saw the same philosophy in Rayner and are excited to combine in order to offer Sophi through an expanded commercial team and to accelerate our innovation projects,” he stated.
Where can I find Sophi for my practice?
According to Sophi’s distribution info, the device is currently being distributed by Medilex.
Click here for details.
And lastly … when is this deal effective?
Today (January 17)!
To note, no financial terms were disclosed.