Say hello to MassDevice +3, a bite-sized view of the top three medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 3 biggest and most influential stories from the day’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
3. Thoratec beats estimates despite Q2 earnings slide
Second-quarter profits slid nearly 24% for Thoratec, but the implantable heart pump maker still managed to soundly beat expectations for its sales and earnings.
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Thoratec posted profits of $13.2 million, or 24¢ per share, on sales of $128.7 million for the 3 months ended July 4, for a -23.9% bottom-line slide on sales growth of 9.0% compared with Q2 2014. Read more
2. Medical device cybersecurity: The Internet of Things could kill you
The FDA’s warning about a flaw in Hospira’s Symbiq drug infusion pump that hackers could exploit to take over the device has cybersecurity experts worried about the rise of the Internet of Things, as more and more medical devices are connected to the web.
The federal safety watchdog said the Symbiq pump can potentially be accessed remotely through a hospital’s network, potentially opening the door to unauthorized changes to the dosage delivered by the pump, according to the federal safety watchdog. The flaw was confirmed by Hospira and an independent researcher. Although no adverse events or unauthorized access in a healthcare setting have been reported, according to the FDA and Hospira, the agency encouraged hospitals and facilities to disconnect all Symbiq devices from their networks. Hospira began phasing Symbiq out in May after the FDA warned on cybersecurity vulnerability issues with its remotely-programmed LifeCare PCA3 and PCA5 devices. Read more
1. Report: Bard to pay $200m to settle mesh cases
C.R. Bard reportedly agreed to pay more than $200 million to resolve at least 3,000 product liability lawsuits brought by women who claim they were injured by its pelvic mesh inserts.
The settlement resolves about a fifth of the outstanding suits related to the implants, which bolster sagging organs and treat incontinence, according to Bloomberg, which cited “5 people familiar with the accord.” Read more