Japanese government will cover TransEnterix robot-assisted surgeries

From Medical Design & Outsourcing

• FDA updates adverse-event database
  In a long-promised move, the FDA today announced that it has added several updates to its database of injuries and deaths reportedly related to medical devices. The agency said it now includes new adverse-event summaries, the number of events and exemption number fields in its eMDR, eSubmitter and Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database… […]
• Federal watchdog tells HHS, FEMA and DoD: You can do better on COVID-19
  The General Accounting Office (GAO) took three major federal departments to task today on their coronavirus responses and gave some pointed advice for the future. In a wide-ranging report, the GAO told the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) how to better… […]
• Report: Why is there still an N95 shortage?
  The nationwide shortage of N95 respirators needed by healthcare workers and others during the coronavirus pandemic shows no indications of letting up, according to an article in today’s Washington Post. The newspaper cites a lack of inter-industry cooperation on N95 production, the Trump administration’s use of the Defense Production Act to force companies to make ventilators but… […]
• Medicare to cover more home dialysis
  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it finalized an expansion of its care offerings for patients with chronic kidney disease. CMS completed its end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treatment choices (ETC) model for improving or maintaining the qualityof care and reducing Medicare expenditures for patients with chronic kidney disease, impacting approximately 30%… […]
• Could this rapid blood test detect brain injury?
  A blood protein test could detect the severity of head trauma in under 15 minutes, according to research published recently in the Journal of Neurotrauma. By showing that glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) can accurately determine the severity of a brain injury through a blood test, the research team working on this study, led by… […]
• DTW Podcast: 3 lessons to learn about telesurgery from Doug Teany, COO, Corindus
  COO Doug Teany joined Corindus Vascular Robotics in 2016 as senior vice president of R&D and operations. Two years later, the Boston Scientific veteran would step into the role of COO and help guide Corindus through the development of its CorPath GRX interventional robotics system and the $1.1 billion acquisition of the company by Siemens… […]
• BD ethylene oxide plant in Georgia meets federal emissions standard
  New emissions controls at one of two Becton Dickinson (NYSE:BDX) medtech sterilization plants have passed muster with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The EPD required BD to reduce emissions of the carcinogenic gas ethylene oxide (EtO) from two sterilization plants located southeast of Atlanta in Covington and Madison, Ga. BD completed installation of $8 million worth… […]
• COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test shipments surpass 150M in U.S.
  Total U.S. shipments of COVID-19 molecular diagnostic tests have reached more than 150 million, based on the latest data from the AdvaMed COVID-19 testing supply registry. Manufacturers shipped nearly 8.5 million tests per week in August, up from 3.7 million weekly in April, the medtech trade group noted. AdvaMed launched the registry July 21 to aid… […]
• Quest lets consumers order COVID-19 tests online
  Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX) today announced that consumers will be able to order one of its COVID-19 diagnostics online and collect the specimen at home, without visiting a doctor’s office. QuestDirect Active Infection is also available by drive-through at more than 500 Walmart Neighborhood Market locations. Results are interpreted by a physician and provided digitally through the… […]
• Henkel, Keystone collaborate on 3D printing offerings for dental industry
  Henkel and Keystone Industries announced today that they are forging a partnership to bring more 3D printing offerings to the dental space. The collaboration means Henkel will add dental applications to its 3D printing portfolio. The companies noted that the dental space is one of the first markets that has moved past prototyping with 3D… […]
• How Diversified Plastics and Carbon printers are enabling better medical supply transport
  Diversified Plastics (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) turned to Carbon printers and Digitial Light Synthesis technology to help startup Thaddeus Medical Systems create what it touts as more reliable active, smart cold-chain packaging. Thaddeus — a five-year-old company in the Mayo Clinic’s home city of Rochester, Minn. — found that conventional 3D-printing or manufacturing methods were unable… […]