A new study released this week showed that knee replacements are holding up remarkably well after two decades, with zero implant failures reported over the course of 20 years.
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How to secure medical data on your iPhone
Federal judge tosses class-action Guidant suit
Its Guidant Corp. subsidiary delivered a rare bit of good news for Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE:BSX), after a federal judge in California once again tossed a would-be class-action lawsuit over recalled Guidant pacemakers.
Judge Manual Real of the U.S. District Court for Central California granted a Guidant motion to dismiss the case, ruling that “all plaintiff’s state law claims are preempted by federal law,” according to court documents.
U-Mass helps medical device firms raise $5 million | Funding roundup
Four medical device startups from a University of Massachusetts incubation program have drummed up $5.1 million from investors.
The companies, MoMelan, TheraTorr, MedicaMetrix and Aura Medsystems, were all supported by the Mass. Medical Device Development Center, also known as M2D2, which operates out of UMass Lowell and UMass Worcester.
Alere’s losses break the billion mark | Earnings roundup
MassDevice keeps a close eye on public medical device companies, tracking their quarterly sales and earnings reports. For the most recent filings, check out our Earnings Roundup, where we collect each quarter’s reports.
Here’s a quick rundown of a few releases over the past couple days:
CDC: Americans in Appalachia and the South are most sedentary
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — CDC: Americans in Appalachia and the South are most sedentary. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report that says Americans in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Tennessee are the least active, while people who live in Colorado, the west coast and parts of New England are the most active.
Johnson & Johnson’s recall woes expand
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) subsidiary Ethicon Inc. issued a recall of 700,000 units of a liquid wound sealant in addition to a hernia-treatment device.
The company received reports from the field that the adhesive, called Dermabond, was discolored.
Medtronic “internal cast” effective on cancer patients’ spinal fractures | Research roundup
Here’s a roundup of recent clinical trial and scientific study news:
Stryker Orthopaedics launches iPad apps for surgeons
Stryker Corp.’s (NYSE:SYK) orthopedics division launched two new applications today for Apple Inc.’s (NSDQ:AAPL) iPad.
The apps are the company’s first to be specifically aimed at surgeons."Stryker Flipchart," was designed to help orthopedic specialists explain joint replacement procedures to patients. "OpTech Live" is a guide to Stryker Orthopaedics’ products and surgical protocols.
Paulson sells off 70 percent of Boston Scientific stake
One of Boston Scientific Corp.’s (NYSE:BSX) largest shareholders sold off nearly 70 percent of its stake in the medical device maker during the fourth quarter.
Paulson & Co. LLC now owns 25 million BSX shares, or about 1.5 percent of the Natick, Mass.-based firm. That position is worth $189.2 million, according to a regulatory filing.
Shuren fires back on 510(k), Europe
Dr. Jeffrey Shuren, head of the Food & Drug Administration’s medical device arm, defended his agency’s performance before a U.S. House subcommittee today, rebutting a spate of recent criticism directed at the Center for Devices & Radiological Health.