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📡 2026-08-17 — Where Medtech's Energy Is Going

Market-wide analysis: hot categories, cooling categories, new-entrant clusters, incumbent defensive moves, and distress signals. Independent of any specific product set.
Weekly All Medtech Momentum: last 365d vs 1825d baseline Incumbent moves: last 90d New entrants: last 365d
Free edition · Published by Elephant Hawk — elephanthawk.com/tools
Hottest category (1y/5y ratio)
3.85×
— — see below
Codes attracting new entrants
15
top: 39 first-timers in QIH
Top-50 incumbent moves
77
58 reinforce · 19 expand · 36 active firms
Distress signals
0
acquisition candidates

🔥 Hot Categories — FDA Codes Accelerating

Top FDA product codes by velocity ratio (last 365d clearance rate ÷ last 1825d baseline rate). A ratio of 2.0× means the code is filing at twice its long-run pace right now. These are the codes the industry's R&D and capital are concentrating in.

RankCodeDeviceSpecialtyClass VelocityRecent (1y)Baseline (5y)Recent sponsors
1 3.85× 10 13 10
2 QSM System, Surgical, Computer Controlled Instrument, Remanufactured Gastroenterology, Urology II 3.13× 5 8 2
3 LYC Bone Grafting Material, Synthetic Dental II 3.13× 5 8 4
4 DHB System, Test, Radioallergosorbent (Rast) Immunological Immunology II 3.0× 6 10 1
5 FMZ Incubator, Neonatal General Hospital II 3.0× 3 5 2
6 SCR Air-Conduction Hearing Aid Software Ear, Nose, Throat II 3.0× 3 5 3
7 LOL Hepatitis A Test (Antibody And Igm Antibody) Microbiology II 3.0× 3 5 2
8 SCA Multi-Analyte Respiratory Virus Antigen Detection Test Microbiology II 2.92× 7 12 5
9 KRH Ring, Annuloplasty Cardiovascular II 2.78× 5 9 3
10 GAM Suture, Absorbable, Synthetic, Polyglycolic Acid General, Plastic Surgery II 2.73× 6 11 4
11 DXT Injector And Syringe, Angiographic Cardiovascular II 2.69× 7 13 6
12 GXN Plate, Cranioplasty, Preformed, Non-Alterable Neurology II 2.5× 6 12 6
13 OLR Oral Wound Dressing Unknown 2.5× 5 10 5
14 OLI Fat Reducing Low Level Laser General, Plastic Surgery II 2.5× 5 10 4
15 GXP Methyl Methacrylate For Cranioplasty Neurology II 2.5× 4 8 2

🚀 New-Entrant Clusters — Codes Attracting First-Time Filers

FDA product codes ranked by the number of sponsors who filed their FIRST 510(k) in that code during the last 365 days. High first-timer counts = new capital + new R&D entering the category. This is the leading edge of where the focus is going (lags the underlying R&D investment by ~12-24 months).

RankCodeDeviceSpecialty First-time filersSample firms
1 QIH Automated Radiological Image Processing Software Radiology 39 Agada Medical, Ltd.Ai4medimaging Medical Solutions S.A.Airs Medical, Inc.Angiowave Imaging, Inc.Anumana, Inc.
2 LLZ System, Image Processing, Radiological Radiology 35 AS Software, LLCAgfa Healthcare N.V.Apryse Software CorpArchy Dental, Inc.Artiness S.R.L
3 GEX Powered Laser Surgical Instrument General, Plastic Surgery 27 Baoding Te'Anzhou Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.Beijing HuaCheng Taike Technology Co., Ltd.Beijing Superlaser Technology Co., Ltd.Bellamia Technologies, Inc.Boston Aesthetics, Inc.
4 ITI Wheelchair, Powered Physical Medicine 23 Beijing OrionStar Technology Co., Ltd.Hebei Dansong Medical Technology Co., Ltd.Jiangsu Intco Medical Products Co., Ltd.Jiangsu Yveelt Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.Nanjing CareMoving Rehabilitation Equipment Co.,Ltd
5 OHS Light Based Over The Counter Wrinkle Reduction General, Plastic Surgery 21 Atop Lighting Co., Ltd.Dongguan Miqiang Technology Co., Ltd.Dongguan Yanxi Technology Co., Ltd.Dongguan Yijiaming Technology Co., Ltd.Guangdong Ace-Tec Co., Ltd.
6 GEI Electrosurgical, Cutting & Coagulation & Accessories General, Plastic Surgery 19 Acotec Scientific Co., Ltd.Ascblue CorporationAsterasys Co., Ltd.Aventix Medical, Inc.Baylis Medical Technologies, Inc.
7 GCJ Laparoscope, General & Plastic Surgery Gastroenterology, Urology 18 Ab Medica SasFloShield, Inc.Freyja Healthcare, LLCHangzhou Hawk Optical Electronic Instruments Co., Ltd.Integrated Endoscopy, Inc.
8 INI Vehicle, Motorized 3-Wheeled Physical Medicine 15 Dongguan Smarfody Mobility Technology Co., Ltd.Jiangsu Bangbang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.Jiangsu Intco Medical Products Co., Ltd.Jochu Technology Co., Ltd.Lerado Zhongshan Peaceful Cove Business Trading Co., Ltd.
9 ODP Intervertebral Fusion Device With Bone Graft, Cervical Orthopedic 15 C.A. Medical, LLCDegen MedicalEffortmed, LLCFims Co., Ltd.HC Biologics, LLC
10 LRK Device, Anti-Snoring Dental 15 Aiomega, LLCAirway Technologies D/B/A Airway ManagementDcstar, Inc.DnB Innovations, LLCDongguan Yiyao Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.
11 DYB Introducer, Catheter Cardiovascular 14 Cardiocycle Medical(Suzhou) Co., Ltd.Cultiv8 1, LLCEcho Medical, LLCHartman Medical Group, LLCHealth Line International Corporation
12 NKB Thoracolumbosacral Pedicle Screw System Orthopedic 13 Allumin8, Inc.Beijing Fule Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.Box Spine, LLCChanpin Medtak Co., Ltd.Double Medical Technology, Inc.
13 OLO Orthopedic Stereotaxic Instrument Neurology 12 Balmoral Medical, LLCEvolution SpineFoundation Surgical Group, Inc.K2m, Inc.Orthofix US, LLC
14 IOR Wheelchair, Mechanical Physical Medicine 11 Anhui Longway Medical Technology Co., Ltd.Empower Ride, LLCFoshan Nanhai Hongchen Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.Free Wheelchair MissionGuangDong Yong Yi Rehabilitation Equipment Technology Co., Ltd.
15 NUC Lubricant, Personal Obstetrics/Gynecology 11 Ansella TherapeuticsGolden Isles Medical, Inc.Guangzhou Haoyimai Trading Co., Ltd.Hudi Pharma SrlLBDO Group, Inc.

🛡️ What the Top 50 US Medtech Incumbents Are Doing

Recent filings by the top-50 sponsors (by lifetime US 510(k) volume) in the last 90 days. REINFORCE = filed in a code they already own (label expansion, supplement, follow-on = moat-protection move). EXPAND = filed in a code where they had NO prior presence (strategic territory move). Ratio of reinforce vs. expand tells you whether the incumbents are playing defense or going on offense.

Defensive balance: 58 reinforce moves vs 19 expand moves · 75% reinforce · 25% expand · 36 of 50 incumbents active in window
DateFirmMoveCode ClassSpecialtyDevice
2026-07-31 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. reinforce NAY II Gastroenterology, Urology da Vinci Surgical System, Model IS5000
2026-07-31 Medtronic, Inc. reinforce QJZ II Cardiovascular VitalFlow Set with Balance™ Biosurface
2026-07-31 Globus Medical, Inc. reinforce JWH II Orthopedic ACTIFY™ Total Knee System, ACTIFY™ 3D Total Knee System (ACTIFY MC Tib
2026-07-30 Arthrex, Inc. expand KWI II Orthopedic Arthrex Radial Head Replacement System
2026-07-30 GE Medical Systems Ultrasound and Primary Care Diagnostics reinforce IYN II Radiology LOGIQ Focus
2026-07-30 Prismatik Dentalcraft, Inc. reinforce EIH II Dental Obsidian® Press Over Zirconia
2026-07-30 Stryker Endoscopy reinforce MBI II Orthopedic AIR+ All-Inside Meniscal Repair Device, Curved Up;AIR+ All-Inside Meni
2026-07-29 Medline Industries, LP expand DYB II Cardiovascular NAMIC Dilator and Sheath
2026-07-28 Life Spine, Inc. reinforce MAX II Orthopedic TruLift Expandable System
2026-07-27 Philips Ultrasound, LLC reinforce IYN II Radiology Philips EPIQ Series Diagnostic Ultrasound System; Philips Affiniti Ser
2026-07-27 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. reinforce DRE II Cardiovascular FlexTract Deflectable-Rotational Dilator Sheath Set
2026-07-24 Boston Scientific Corporation reinforce KRD II Cardiovascular OBSIDIO Conformable Embolic
2026-07-24 Boston Scientific Corporation reinforce LLZ II Radiology TheraSphere 360™ Y-90 Management Platform
2026-07-24 Boston Scientific Corporation reinforce DRA II Cardiovascular FARADRIVE™ Steerable Sheath (M004PF21M402)
2026-07-24 Fresenius Medical Care Renal Therapies Group, LLC reinforce KDI II Gastroenterology, Urology Careflux H60;Careflux H70;Careflux V500
2026-07-24 Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc. expand LDP II Clinical Toxicology Atellica CH Acetaminophen 2 (ACTM)
2026-07-24 SurGenTec, LLC reinforce OLO II Neurology Ion-L Navigated Instruments
2026-07-22 Merit Medical Systems, Inc. expand DXC II Cardiovascular PreludeSYNC™ Radial Compression Device
2026-07-17 Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc. reinforce MAX II Orthopedic Catalyft PL Expandable Interbody System
2026-07-17 Stryker Endoscopy expand SIT II Orthopedic SportSuite Vision Software
2026-07-16 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. expand PQA II Microbiology cobas® BV/CV
2026-07-16 TriMed, Inc. reinforce HRS II Orthopedic TriMed Non-Spanning Wrist Fusion Plates (NSFL-STD);TriMed Non-Spanning
2026-07-15 Abbott Medical reinforce DQK II Cardiovascular EnSite™ X EP System
2026-07-14 Intuitive Surgical, Inc. reinforce GCJ II Gastroenterology, Urology Universal Seal (5-12 mm)
2026-07-14 Alphatec Spine, Inc. reinforce NKB II Orthopedic Invictus® Small Stature Spinal Fixation System; Invictus® 2.0 Spinal F

❄️ Cooling Categories — FDA Codes Decelerating

FDA product codes where clearance velocity is FAR below long-run baseline. Two interpretations: (a) the category is dying / commoditized → vacated white space someone could re-enter cheaply, OR (b) the use case is being replaced by a different technology (e.g., glucose meters declining as CGM eats their share). Either way, useful intelligence.

RankCodeDeviceSpecialty VelocityRecent (1y)Baseline (5y)
1 FYC Gown, Isolation, Surgical General, Plastic Surgery 0.0× 0 20
2 JDR Staple, Fixation, Bone Orthopedic 0.0× 0 21
3 LYY Latex Patient Examination Glove General Hospital 0.0× 0 25
4 FLL Continuous Measurement Thermometer General Hospital 0.13× 2 76
5 KNT Tubes, Gastrointestinal (And Accessories) Gastroenterology, Urology 0.18× 1 28
6 FXX Mask, Surgical General, Plastic Surgery 0.21× 9 215
7 LZA Polymer Patient Examination Glove General Hospital 0.21× 15 349
8 LCX Kit, Test, Pregnancy, Hcg, Over The Counter Clinical Chemistry 0.22× 1 23
9 MCW Catheter, Peripheral, Atherectomy Cardiovascular 0.23× 1 22
10 MQB Solid State X-Ray Imager (Flat Panel/Digital Imager) Radiology 0.29× 4 68
11 JOJ Indicator, Physical/Chemical Sterilization Process General Hospital 0.31× 2 32
12 NBW System, Test, Blood Glucose, Over The Counter Clinical Chemistry 0.31× 2 32
13 FRN Pump, Infusion General Hospital 0.33× 2 30
14 MQC Mouthguard, Prescription Unknown 0.36× 2 28
15 FRC Indicator, Biological Sterilization Process General Hospital 0.37× 2 27

⚠️ New Distress Signals (Market-Wide)

Firms across all US medtech that recently tripped the distress signal: small US-cleared portfolio (≤8 clearances), Class I recall in window, dormant ≥730 days. Potential M&A targets via Hilco / Ocean Tomo / Heritage Global outreach.

No new distress signals in window. The standing watch order with Hilco / Ocean Tomo continues to monitor.

🔭 All Medtech Lane Spotlight

Filtered view of the same window, restricted to None FDA codes in the All Medtech code list. Shown because you ran the brief with --lane all. The market-analysis sections above are still the primary view; this is supplementary.

No events in All Medtech lane during the window.

📡 External Signals — This Week

Leading-edge items from live external feeds; the warehouse sections above are the lagging FDA record (clearances reflect ~12-18 months of prior R&D + regulatory work).

Press Releases leads by ~12 months

AI Synthesis Layer leads by weekly

Coming next:

Clinical Trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)
New trial starts and registry updates — a strong leading indicator for where R&D money is being spent.
Trade Show Calendar + Target Attendee List
MD&M, RSNA, AAOS, AAOMS, ADA, ASCO, HIMSS, CES Health. Next-30-days view of firms exhibiting and what they're launching — real-time signal of where the booth budget is going.
Industry Trade Press + SEC EDGAR M&A
MedTech Dive, MassDevice, MedCity News, MD+DI editorial + SEC 8-K M&A filings. Concurrent and retrospective context.