MASSDEVICE ON CALL — The founder and former head of the French breast implant company at the center of the ongoing controversy over sub-standard breast implants was arrested, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Jean-Claude Mas was detained as part of an investigation into manslaughter and involuntary injury associated with the manufacture breast implants made with non-authorized silicone gel that is associated with high rupture rates.
Mas was arrested in Marseille today, according to the paper.
The detention is the latest news in an ongoing public health controversy that has some questioning the foundation of the European CE Marking program.
Republicans prepare a rebuttal plan to Obamacare
Regardless of which way the Supreme Court rules on President Barack Obama’s controversial health care overhaul, the GOP is prepared with a bill to replace the legislation with a a program that will shift the sickest and most expensive patients to government-run programs, Healthwatch reported.
Medtronic aims for low-cost revolution in pacemakers
Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) CEO Omar Ishrak hopes to catalyze a revolution by bringing to market low-cost medical devices that are 5 to 10 times cheaper than existing products, Reuters reported. Pacemakers are the most likely first target for such disruptive technologies, Ishrak told the wire services.
Device makers lobby for reimbursement of weight-loss surgery
Med-tech makers and advocates are pushing government officials to provide reimbursement coverage for weight-loss surgery, with Allergan (NYSE:AGN) leading the charge, Reuters reported.
