Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has disabled internet updates for approximately 34,000 CareLink devices designed for accessing and programming implanted pacemakers due to cybersecurity vulnerabilities with the systems, according to a Reuters report. The vulnerability, revealed this summer by cybersecurity firm researchers, could allow an outside agent to plant malware on the pacers that would allow them to […]
Cardiac Implants
Study: U.S. hospitals charged more for implantable cardiac devices
The prices of similar cardiac implants in the U.S. were higher than in the four largest E.U. markets between 2006 and 2014, according to a new study by British researchers. U.S. prices were two to six times higher than those in Germany and varied widely among the European countries studied. The study, published in the journal […]
Oscor issues voluntary recall for TB bipolar pacing leads
Oscor is voluntarily recalling a select number of TB temporary bipolar pacing leads with 2mm unshrouded connectors over issues which may expose the connection wire, according to a recently posted FDA alert. The company said that the connector cap housing on the leads may cause the wire to be more susceptible to loss of connectivity […]
TCT 2018: Abbott touts low rates of stroke, death in 1-year Portico TAVR study
Abbott (NYSE:ABT) today released one-year results from a study exploring the use of its Portico transcatheter aortic valve replacement system in patients with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis, touting low rates of stroke, death and leaks between the valve and native heart tissue. Results from the Portico 1 study were presented during a late-breaking session at the Transcatheter […]
11 pediatric cardiovascular devices you need to know about
A bandage-sized heart monitor, an extracorporeal blood pump that mimics the human heart, and a heart valve that can grow with a child were among the six winners of a contest in Philadelphia for innovative pediatric cardiovascular devices. The Pediatric Device Innovation Symposium organized by the Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation at Children’s National […]
TCT 2018: Cardiac Dimensions meets endpoints in Carillon trial
Here’s a roundup from this week’s Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics convention in San Diego: Cardiac Dimensions said yesterday that a study of its Carillon mitral valve repair device met its primary endpoint, with the data presented at the annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting in San Diego. Kirkland, Wash.-based Cardiac Dimensions said the Reduce FMR trial was […]
Abbott’s MitraClip study draws applause at TCT 2018
Startlingly positive results from a clinical trial of Abbott’s MitraClip heart valve device reportedly drew applause at the annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting in San Diego yesterday. Abbott (NYSE:ABT) acquired MitraClip in the $410 million acquisition of Evalve back in 2009. The device, which is designed to reshape the mitral valve to prevent blood from flowing backwards through […]
Cardiovalve launches pivotal TMVR trials
Israel cardiovascular device developer Cardiovalve said yesterday it launched both the Ahead US and Ahead EU multicenter studies of its Cardiovalve transfemoral mitral valve replacement system. The company’s flagship Cardiovalve system is a novel mitral valve designed for either transferal or transeptal use and is intended to replace the mitral valve through a minimally invasive […]
Cardiac Dimensions launches pivotal trial for Carillon mitral repair device
Cardiac Dimensions said today it launched a pivotal trial of the Carillon mitral valve repair device it’s developing, and that it enrolled and randomized its first patient in the trial. The Kirkland, Wash.-based company’s percutaneous Carillon annuloplasty device is designed to use a distal anchor and proximal anchor, connected by a shaping ribbon, to re-form the mitral annulus […]
Paragonix touts performance of donor-heart transport technology
Paragonix Technologies (Braintree, Mass.) said today that its SherpaPak donor-heart transport system has been used successfully at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and other transplant centers around the U.S. and Europe. The SheraPak combines cooling technology with safe, consistent methods for cold ischemic storage and transport of donor organs, according to the company, which is […]
Report: Medtronic taps electronic musician to design home cardiac monitor tones
Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) has tapped 38-year-old ambient electronic musician Yoko K. Sen to design a set of tones for its remote heart monitor, according to a report from STAT. The news outlet reported today that Sen was charged with developing tones that warn users about an array of problems, like a dead battery or Wi-Fi connectivity issues. Sen is […]