AAOS is excited to announce the finalists for the highly anticipated 2025 OrthoPitch competition, set to take place live at the AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego, March 10–14. This year’s competition will showcase four exceptional companies whose groundbreaking innovations have the potential to transform orthopaedic care and improve patient outcomes.

OrthoPitch, a highlight of the AAOS Annual Meeting, provides a platform for emerging companies to present their innovative solutions to a panel of expert judges, including leading orthopaedic surgeons and industry professionals. It’s an unparalleled opportunity for AAOS members to witness cutting-edge advancements and gain insight into the future of musculoskeletal care. This year’s finalists and the innovations they are presenting are:

• 16 Bit Inc.’s Rho osteoporosis screening: Rho is a software medical device which can opportunistically screen routinely acquired radiographs in patients aged 50 years and older for their risk of low bone mineral density. Rho can use radiographs of the chest, spine, knee, pelvis, hand, or wrist. Rho received de novo market authorization from the FDA in April 2024.
• Auctus Surgical’s dynamic tethering system: This flexible tether is surgically implanted on the side of a child’s spine to straighten it. One end of the tether is attached to an implanted, magnetically adjusted spool. The device allows the spine to bend and twist. The surgeon uses a hand-held magnetic controller to lengthen the implant as the child grows.
• SentryX’s BR-003 implantable anesthetic: BR-003 is a novel implantable anesthetic designed to address severe pain after spine fixation surgery. It consists of a ring-shaped biodegradable hydrogel that is easy to co-implant with regular pedicle screws. Unlike injections, BR-003 stays in place and delivers bupivacaine to the surgical site for more than 3 days.
• VISIE Inc.’s intraoperative 3D optical scanner: VISIE is creating ground-breaking intraoperative 3D scanners that combine the power of optical physics and deep technology to make the unseen seen in surgery. VISIE’s registration scanners create snap image registration—more than 300,000 3D-data points in a fraction of a second—for robotic and navigated orthopaedic and spine surgery.

The competition, taking place during the Annual Meeting, will feature live presentations from these four companies, followed by a Q&A session with the judges. Attendees will have the chance to witness the passion and expertise driving these innovations and engage directly with the finalists.

“OrthoPitch is not only an entertaining pitch event but is also a glimpse of future technology coming soon,” Jason Dragoo, MD, FAAOS, chair of the AAOS Committee on Devices, Biologics and Technology. “It is one of the best reasons to attend the Annual Meeting in person.”

Make sure OrthoPitch is in your plans at AAOS 2025
For AAOS members and attendees, OrthoPitch offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in orthopaedics. By attending the live event, you’ll gain valuable insights into emerging technologies and learn how they might address challenges in your practice or improve patient care. Beyond the competition itself, OrthoPitch fosters a collaborative environment where members and industry leaders can connect and exchange ideas.

AAOS encourages all members to register for the Annual Meeting and plan to attend OrthoPitch to support the finalists and see their game-changing solutions in action. Whether you are a surgeon, researcher, or industry professional, OrthoPitch is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the future of orthopaedics.

Be part of the excitement
The AAOS 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego promises to be an unforgettable experience, offering unparalleled education, networking opportunities, and a front-row seat to the latest advancements shaping the field. Do not miss the chance to witness the energy and innovation of the OrthoPitch competition. Visit aaos.org/orthopitch to learn more.

Not registered yet? Register now for AAOS 2025 and make plans to attend OrthoPitch to see these four finalists and their transformative ideas live. Together, celebrate and support the next generation of orthopaedic innovation. Get started at aaos.org/annual.

Thank you to OrthoPitch sponsors
The 2025 OrthoPitch competition is made possible through the generous support of its sponsors. AAOS extends its gratitude to the OrthoPitch Foundational Sponsor, MCRA, an IQVIA Business, as well as the Premier+ Sponsor, Smith+Nephew; Select+ Sponsor, SmartTRAK; and Select Sponsor, Troutman Pepper Locke, for their commitment to advancing innovation in orthopaedics.

Add OrthoPitch to your AAOS 2025 agenda

OrthoPitch will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, starting at 6 p.m. in the OrthoDome theater in the Exhibit Hall. Beverages will be served starting at 5:30 p.m.