The new Trump administration and Republican Congress – and all the accompanying change and uncertainty – is the major story for the medical device industry. But there are many other medtech stories worth noting from the first quarter of 2017. There was an FDA warning over Abbott’s Absorb bioresorbable stent, a continued spate of M&A deals, diabetes […]
medtech
Do patient advocacy organizations have a conflict of interest?
At least 83% of U.S. patient advocacy organizations receive financial support from medical device, drug and biotechnology companies, according to new research out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy. The Penn research team – which included Matthew McCoy, Harald Schmidt and Ezekiel Emanuel – examined websites and annual reports for 104 organizations […]
Fibrosis: How to prevent it in medical device implants
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Boston Children’s Hospital researchers have discovered a way to prevent fibrosis from forming around medical device implants by blocking certain cells. The body’s immune system usually attacks implanted medical devices that are used for drug delivery, sensing or tissue regeneration. Defense cells in the body try to isolate the […]
Medtech stories we missed this week: March 17, 2017
The FDA awarded 510(k) clearance to a couple of medtech companies this week while others received tax breaks and incentives, including a local tax break for a $154 million Stryker R&D facility planned in Michigan. Here are some medtech stories we missed this week but thought were worth mentioning. 1. FirstRay wins FDA 510(k) clearance […]
3D printing is taking medical marijuana to a whole new level
3D printing is aiding an Israel-based company in the development and production of special selective-dose inhalers for medical marijuana and other medicinal plants. Nano Dimension (Ness Ziona, Israel)—which makes 3D printers for printed circuit boards—announced today that it has leased a DragonFly 2020 3D printer to Syqe Medical (Tel Aviv, Israel). Syqe boasts that it has created the […]
This uterine fibroid treatment is underused despite being cost-effective
A new study suggests that a minimally invasive, image-guided treatment for uterine fibroids is used a lot less than other surgical treatments. Hysterectomies were performed 65 times more than the minimally invasive uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), which has even been proven to cost less and result in a shorter hospital stay. “These findings suggest there […]
Minimally-invasive migraine treatment for adults works on kids, too
Migraine treatment that has been safe for adults has recently proven to be safe for use in children as well. The minimally-invasive treatment only takes a few minutes for children and teenagers to be able to feel the effects. The treatment involves a sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) block that does not need needles. It uses a […]
This new hydrogel can regrow bone in skulls
Researchers in Illinois say they were able to regrow bone to repair a hole in a mouse’s skull. The researchers, based at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, think their work could lead to significant improvement in the care of people with severe skull or face trauma. They say they were able to regenerate skull bone […]
Medtech stores we missed this week: March 10, 2017
The FDA and Health Canada cleared a couple medical devices while other companies touted their device studies. Here are medtech stories we missed this week but were still worth mentioning. 1. FDA clears Medela’s neonatal enteral feeding device Medela has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market its ENFit Low Dose Tip eternal syringes, […]
New blood-based test could detect all lung cancer types
Exact Sciences and the Mayo Clinic recently collaborated on a blood-based lung cancer test that researchers say has shown high accuracy for detecting all stages of lung cancer. “These results reveal an opportunity to detect lung cancer from a simple blood draw,” said Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences, in a news release. “Our […]
