Startup SetPoint Medical has demonstrated “significant, sustained improvement” over two years in a first-in-human study using bioelectronic therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Seventeen subjects with moderate to severe symptoms were implanted with a vagus nerve stimulator in the European study. At three months, the therapy was shown to have significantly reduced RA symptoms
Medtronic warns on external pacemaker issues
June 13, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has released an urgent field safety notice warning of issues with a subset of its model 53401 single chamber external pacemakers in which the device may experience an unexpected power on reset. The Fridley, Minn.-based company said that the issue is due to an initial version of the firmware for the device which allowed […]
Stryker, Boston Scientific tie-up could create ‘higher growth Medtronic’
June 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Analysts are eagerly digging into the news that Stryker (NYSE:SYK) put in a takeover bid with Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX), though many were surprised by the news and are unsure of the obvious strategic value of the acquisition. News of the deal, which both companies have officially responded to with statemens of “no comment,” emerged yesterday at the […]
Move carefully to the exit, veteran medtech sellers warn
June 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Beyond their altruistic and sales goals, medical device startups generally keep an eye out for the exit. Getting there requires planning, patience and persistence, according to a couple of medtech executives who’ve been through it. Martha Shadan headed Plymouth, Minn.–based Rotation Medical, a private company sold to Smith & Nephew in December 2017, just three
8 companies commercializing transcatheter mitral valve replacements
May 22, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Transcatheter mitral valve replacement is a new frontier in the cardio device field, with big legacy medical device companies including Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic and Abbott spending hundreds of millions of dollars on companies in the space. Much different from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) has been mostly experimental. TMVR is used
Minnesota’s Medical Alley has a big presence at EuroPCR
May 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The Medical Alley Association in Minnesota is touting the major presence that companies and organizations from the state will have at this year’s EuroPCR, which is being held this week in Paris. The event — the European Association of Percutaneous Cardiovascular Interventions’ annual meeting — is May 22–25 at the Palais des Congrès and is expected to
Can Minnesota become a healthcare innovation hub?
May 18, 2018 By 2 Comments
Minnesota has the institutions and the talent to transform healthcare in the U.S. The question is whether the money will follow. RxFunction makes wearable devices called “Walkasins” that help people with chronic health conditions prevent falls that can lead to serious injury. It took eight painstaking years, though, before the Eden Prairie, Minn.-based startup secured
Medtech’s top leaders commit to interoperability – but can the data back it up?
April 16, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Integrating data into the care process holds a great deal of promise for the healthcare industry. But medical device industry leaders agree that there are system complexities that need to be solved — with lack of good data a critical issue. That was a major takeaway from a Healthcare Technology Leadership Panel at the 6th Annual
Minor orthopedic implant market to be worth $2.2 billion by 2021, analysts say
March 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
The minor orthopedic replacement implant market will grow from $1.5 billion in 2017 to $2.2 billion in 2021, according to analysts from The Business Research Co.. The company’s Minor Orthopedic Replacement Implants report said the industry will experience an annual growth rate of over 7%, driven by a higher rate of arthritis and fractures. Osteoarthritis
Former GE CEO Jeff Immelt had a lasting impact in medtech: Here’s how
March 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment
No matter how you feel about his tenure leading the industrial conglomerate, former GE CEO Jeff Immelt helped shape medtech by filling the industry’s corner offices with former employees. The right leader at the right company, at the right time, can have an effect that last decades – not only through their own actions but
Medtronic recalls 48 CRM devices on arcing risk
February 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) informed physicians last month of a problem with 48 of its cardiac rhythm management devices that’s prompting a Class I recall of the devices. The recall affects cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators and implantable cardioverter defibrillators that were “sent through a manufacturing sequence that introduced the potential for internal arcing during high-voltage charging, leading […]
Medtronic thinks these clinics could be the future of diabetes care: Here’s why
February 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Managing a chronic illness can feel like a full-time job. Between juggling multiple appointments with an array of specialists and following a meticulous care plan, patients dealing with conditions like diabetes have a lot on their plate. Medtech titan Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) wants to help change that. The company’s CEO, Omar Ishrak, placed his faith in value-based care as the […]
Medtronic wins FDA nod for smallest drug-eluting stent on U.S. market
February 26, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Medtronic‘s (NYSE:MDT) 2.0-mm Resolute Onyx drug-eluting stent has won FDA approval and is set to launch in the U.S., making it the smallest device of its kind on the market. The stent is designed to treat patients with coronary artery disease who have small vessels. Interventional cardiologists often face challenges treating this patient group with […]
Medtronic expands insulin pump portfolio with MiniMed Mio infusion set
February 21, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has launched its MiniMed Mio Advance infusion sets, which are designed for people managing their diabetes with insulin pump therapy. The medtech titan touted its product, which was developed by ConvaTec, as boasting a user-friendly design that allows patients to access hard-to-reach sites, like the lower back. The infusion system has no visible needle […]
Webinar: The top medtech stories of 2017
January 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment
This webinar was presented live on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Click below to watch on demand. The medtech industry saw its transformation accelerate in 2017: Whether it’s the roster of largest companies, business models or the regulatory environment, times are a-changing. Competition is also heating up in areas including diabetes care and robotic
