Medtronic will distribute Allurion’s swallowable weight-loss balloon

An innovation in obesity treatment can extend the benefits of bariatric intervention to the overweight without the need for surgery, and will be tried in developing markets of eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

By Susan Kelly • June 22, 2023

GE HealthCare partners with J&J to push spine imaging system

Striking the deal to bring its OEC 3D systems and DePuy Synthes devices to U.S. surgeons continues the streak of partnerships formed by GE HealthCare to broaden the distribution of its products.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 22, 2023

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

Owlet receives FDA clearance for prescription pulse oximetry baby sock

Clearance of the new system settles a controversy that began last year when Owl sold a similar pulse oximetry device over the counter, but was ordered to pull it from sale and seek regulatory approval as a medical device.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 22, 2023

Proposed breast cancer screening recommendations don’t go far enough

A proposal by a government-sponsored task force calling for a 24-month spacing between mammograms fails to address the latest research and may further exacerbate disparities and mortality outcomes, argues Henry Izawa, head of FujiFilm Healthcare Americas.

By Henry Izawa • June 21, 2023

Surgalign files for bankruptcy, agrees to sell US hardware unit for $5M

Surgalign also disclosed that it is laying off 25 employees and eliminating the position of chief commercial officer.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 21, 2023

Philips gets slapped with two legal challenges by French patients in ‘Respiratorgate’

A civil case covers 1,341 claimants who seek compensation for non-material damages tied to a failure to provide adequate information and for what they say is anxiety-related harm.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated June 22, 2023

BD plans $540M sale of surgical instrumentation platform to Steris

The divestiture is part of BD’s strategy to simplify its portfolio and focus on higher-growth markets.

By Peter Green • Updated June 20, 2023

Surmodics secures FDA nod for PAD balloon, earning payment from Abbott

The company will challenge Medtronic’s IN.PACT Admiral device to treat peripheral arterial disease with a balloon that is coated with a lower dose of paclitaxel.

By Susan Kelly • June 20, 2023

Analysts highlight Masimo’s advantages over Apple, Fitbit ahead of proxy vote

Even as the company faces a battle over its future direction, Stifel analysts said Masimo’s star product could “enhance patient outcomes, optimize care delivery and ‘massively’ reduce costs.”

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 20, 2023

Glass Lewis, joining ISS, supports activist’s candidates for Masimo board

Saying it has “rarely” seen a circumstance where the “need for direct representation of a large shareholder in the boardroom was so apparent,” the proxy advisory firm backed Politan Capital’s bid for two board seats.

By Susan Kelly • June 16, 2023

Robotic surgery market shows no signs of slowing, favoring Intuitive’s da Vinci: J.P. Morgan

The firm polled high-volume surgeons, who said new procedure indications and global expansion will benefit market leader Intuitive Surgical.

By Susan Kelly • June 15, 2023

Interest in elective surgeries up 115% over pre-COVID levels, Google searches show: Needham

The rise in searches correlates with an increase in the size of the market for elective procedures, Needham analysts report, signaling better times for medtech companies.

By Elise Reuter • June 15, 2023

The importance of trust in AI as a medical device

Building trust with patients, as well as regulators, will be key to the adoption of AI in medical devices and diagnostics, argues Alison Dennis, a London-based partner with law firm Taylor Wessing.

By Alison Dennis • June 15, 2023

Masimo proxy fight heats up as ISS backs activist’s board nominees

Institutional Shareholder Services recommended that Masimo shareholders support two board candidates nominated by activist investor Politan Capital Management, setting up a showdown for Masimo’s June 26 annual meeting.

By Susan Kelly • June 14, 2023

Wound repair, custom prosthetics targeted by developers of multi-material bioprinter

Researchers developed a bioprinter that can print multiple materials, allowing them to print cells, drug-releasing meshes and sensors. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 14, 2023

Samsung adds heart rhythm notifications to Galaxy Watch to close gap on Apple

The news comes weeks after the FDA granted 510(k) clearance to the new feature, which can be used to detect atrial fibrillation, and positions Samsung to take on other wearable heart monitors from firms including Apple.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 14, 2023

Abbott names Philip Boudreau as CFO

Current CFO Robert Funck will become executive vice president of finance, with the company making a series of internal promotions to fill the roles of CFO and controller.

By Elise Reuter • June 13, 2023

Abbott’s $1.9B electrophysiology unit threatened by pulsed field ablation: analysts

The analysts warn Abbott could lose some market share, but say Medtronic “will face the most significant competitive pressures.”

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 13, 2023

Getinge’s packaging problems continue with recall of circulatory support devices

The company put a shipping hold on a separate set of life support devices last year due to potential breaches in sterile packaging, which could pose an infection risk. 

By Elise Reuter • June 12, 2023

Merit Medical buys two dialysis catheter lines for $132.5M combined

The acquisitions are expected to boost the Utah-based device maker’s annual revenue by about $30 million.

By Susan Kelly • June 9, 2023

EPA’s proposed ethylene oxide regulations may cost sterilizers more than estimated: Moody’s

Large commercial sterilizers should be able to handle the increased costs, but smaller companies might have to sell, Moody’s analysts write. 

By Elise Reuter • June 9, 2023

Friday Q&A: Biosense Webster’s Brooks and Hong talk about cardiac ablation

The leaders of Johnson & Johnson’s Biosense Webster unit see growth opportunities with new cardiac ablation technologies, despite a crowded field that includes Abbott, Boston Scientific and Medtronic.

By Elise Reuter • June 9, 2023

SunMed agrees to $110M takeover of Avanos’ respiratory health unit, continuing M&A spree

Avanos, whose competitors include Stryker and Medline Industries, is selling the unit to narrow its focus on areas where it can succeed.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 9, 2023

New devices could help Penumbra take market share, according to physician survey

Penumbra’s new systems for removing blood clots from veins and arteries received a positive reception, with doctors expecting to use the company’s devices more, according to a survey of 25 surgeons by J.P. Morgan. 

By Elise Reuter • June 8, 2023

In shift away from toxic ethylene oxide, Colorado firm offers ‘green’ chlorine dioxide sterilization

The addition of chlorine dioxide capabilities comes as the industry races to find alternatives to ethylene oxide ahead of restrictions on the use of the carcinogenic gas.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 8, 2023