COVID-19 leads to explosion in cyberattacks, data breaches

A survey from CI Security found successful hacks involving healthcare organizations or their business associates soared in the second half of last year, leading to a jump in the number of breached patient records.

By Ron Shinkman • Feb. 12, 2021

Dexcom touts boost from Super Bowl ad, sidesteps access complaints

While acknowledging concerns of the diabetic community, CEO Kevin Sayer said the company has a business to run and "by making more people aware" of CGMs "we'd have a much more positive effect than negative."

By Ricky Zipp • Feb. 12, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

New medical devices are reshaping the medtech industry

From pulsed field ablation devices to glucose sensors and surgical robotics, new medical technologies are transforming patient care and how people manage their health.

By MedTech Dive staff

Abbott, Medtronic could benefit as spinal cord stim seen rebounding

Physicians plan to prescribe 28% more implants than last year, driving sales above the high hit in 2019, according to a survey of 50 doctors by Baird Equity Research.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 12, 2021

What medtech earnings tell us so far: COVID-19 testing, electives hit, and M&A

Uncertainty clouds 2021 for medtechs, with elective care likely not to rebound until the second half and testing demand vulnerable to vaccine rollouts. What's clear is that the virus is a moving target and predictions are precarious.

By Ricky Zipp , Greg Slabodkin • Feb. 11, 2021

Heart disease devices lead latest batch of FDA breakthrough nods

The cardiovascular-focused products are part of a wider group of designations including those in development at companies such as Roche. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 10, 2021

Alinity, da Vinci top hospital purchasing execs' wish lists: UBS

The feedback from hospitals' purchasing executives, gathered in the fourth quarter of 2020, shows capital equipment budgets remain resilient in the face of COVID-19.

By Susan Kelly • Feb. 9, 2021

Dexcom's Super Bowl ad puts focus on cost, access issues in diabetes tech

The maker of continuous glucose monitors deflected the criticism, calling the ad an education move to improve access for patients. Questions remain regarding how pricing impacts access to potentially life-saving devices.

By Ricky Zipp • Feb. 9, 2021

Pandemic habits could cause US health spending to decelerate over 2 decades, Deloitte predicts

The consultancy's predictive modeling based its estimate on the rise of digital health products and more consumer engagement. Such a slowing contrasts more dire spending forecasts made prior to the COVID-19 crisis.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Feb. 8, 2021

Medicare DME competitive bidding in doubt after failed round: analysts

Cowen analysts said a recent report found steep rate hikes, leading them to conclude the program is no longer such a big threat to companies like Baxter, ResMed and Philips.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 8, 2021

FDA OKs Signifier neurostim device for snoring, sleep apnea

Signifier now faces the challenge of establishing eXciteOSA in the congested snoring and sleep apnea market targeted by companies including ResMed.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 8, 2021

Roundup: Medtech earnings season continues to show COVID-19 uncertainty

BD, Quest Diagnostics and Roche all said they have a clearer view of the first quarter of 2021 but not the second half of the year, while Boston Scientific forecast electives pressure in the first quarter recovering in the second half.

Feb. 5, 2021

Zimmer takes electives hit in Q4, to spin off spine, dental units

"There's just no doubt that COVID, unfortunately, remains a challenge ... We're seeing the pandemic pressure and the surges continue and, frankly, worsen across pretty much all of our regions and markets," said CEO Bryan Hanson.

By Ricky Zipp • Feb. 5, 2021

BD posts better-than-expected COVID-19 test sales, but flagship Veritor revenues to slow

Coronavirus testing revenues totaled $867 million, primarily made up by sales for the Veritor antigen test. Execs cited new virus variants and the potential for further slowing in elective care for a conservative forecast. 

By Ricky Zipp • Feb. 4, 2021

FDA appoints first medical device cybersecurity chief

University of Michigan professor Kevin Fu will serve a one-year term as acting cyber director at the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Experts fear the chaos of the pandemic creates the perfect storm for hackers to exploit.

By Greg Slabodkin • Feb. 3, 2021

Boston Scientific sees COVID-19 electives pressure in Q1, recovery in second half

A hit of 7.7% in sales, driven by drops in neuromodulation and interventional cardiology, missed Wall Street expectations in the medtech's fourth quarter report.

By Ricky Zipp • Feb. 3, 2021

Death, injuries prompt FDA to call Boston Scientific ICD recall Class I event

The device giant began recalling the subcutaneous implantable defibrillator system electrode late last year after learning of 26 serious injuries and one death associated with the device.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Feb. 3, 2021

From COVID-19 EUAs to 'insidious' remote care risks: ECRI's top 10 medtech hazards

Risks highlighted by the watchdog include FDA emergency use authorizations and the rapid adoption of telehealth, both of which have increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Susan Kelly • Feb. 1, 2021

4 key trends for medtech in 2021

With resurgence of the coronavirus and emergence of more contagious strains, COVID-19 challenges, but also opportunities, lie ahead for medical device and diagnostics companies.

By Greg Slabodkin • Jan. 29, 2021

Low Medicare EKG device draft slams iRhythm, stock price sinks by over 30%

Wall Street analysts questioned whether the lower-than-expected rates are final and what the prospects are for renegotiation. Shares of market leader iRhythm fell over 32% on Friday.

By Ricky Zipp • Updated Feb. 1, 2021

CGM, insulin pump players look to 2021 as watershed year for diabetes wearables market

Insulet, Dexcom and Medtronic have product launches set for this year, and all look to capitalize on the recent skyrocketing of virtual care due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Ricky Zipp • Jan. 29, 2021

New iRhythm CEO on national pricing setback, Medtronic market expansion lessons

Michael Coyle will try to build off the cardiac monitoring company's recent success amid a telehealth boom. Shares have jumped by over 175% in the last 12 months.

By Ricky Zipp • Jan. 28, 2021

Hospitals lost $20B by pausing electives last year

The slowdown in elective care also hurt medtechs like Abbott and Johnson & Johnson. The industry expects declines to continue into 2021 after procedure volumes dropped again in the fourth quarter due to the virus resurgence.

By Shannon Muchmore • Jan. 28, 2021

Edwards' US TAVR sales fall as COVID-19 disrupts referrals

Analysts expected U.S. transcatheter aortic valve replacement sales to be flat in the fourth quarter but they fell by mid-single digits. Still, the company maintains guidance for global TAVR growth of 15-20% this year. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • Jan. 28, 2021

Stryker falls short of Q4 sales amid electives pullback, robotics a bright spot

Double-digit growth in China was offset by hits in business in the U.S. and Europe. CEO Kevin Lobo told investors after volumes rebounded through October, large declines began in November and December.

By Ricky Zipp • Jan. 27, 2021

Biden invokes DPA to combat supply shortages, but experts say it's no 'magic wand'

AdvaMed early in the pandemic urged against using the Defense Production Act's powers, though some companies were more open. The device lobby last week asked the administration to coordinate with industry before taking action.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 27, 2021