Oratec Interventions

Oratec Interventions was a U.S. medical device company that developed and marketed minimally invasive systems using controlled thermal energy to treat spine and joint disorders. Its best-known products included the SpineCATH IntraDiscal ElectroThermal Therapy (IDET) system for disc-related back pain and the ElectroThermal Arthroscopy System for arthroscopic soft-tissue procedures. The company commercialized radiofrequency-based surgical technologies rather than therapeutics, making it a healthcare device business rather than a biotech or pharma developer. Oratec was publicly traded before being acquired by Smith & Nephew in 2002. Following the acquisition, its technologies were integrated into Smith & Nephew's endoscopy and minimally invasive surgery portfolio.