Say hello to MassDevice +5, a bite-sized view of the top five medtech stories of the day. This feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our 5 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.
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5. This exoskeleton could eliminate crouch gait
The National Institutes of Health has created what it claims is the first robotic exoskeleton that is designed to treat crouch gait in children who have cerebral palsy.
Crouch gait occurs when there is excessive bending of the knees while walking. It is a common condition in children with cerebral palsy. The NIH reports that even with conventional treatments, crouch gait can develop into the degeneration of walking function and eventually the loss of walking ability in about half of adults with the disorder. Read more
4. Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre wins reimbursement in Japan
Abbott said today that the Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare in Japan has granted national reimbursement for the company’s FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system.
The FreeStyle Libre system uses a small sensor worn on the back of the upper arm to measure glucose every minute in interstitial fluid through a filament inserted under the skin. Abbott said its system can produce a glucose reading painlessly in less than 1 second by scanning a reader over the sensor. Read more
3. HeartFlow wins positive policy decisions from 3 BCBS providers
HeartFlow said today it won positive medical policies for its HeartFlow FFRct fractional flow reserve analysis system from 3 separate Blue Cross Blue Shield providers.
The Redwood City, Calif.-based company said that Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield of California and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama issued positive medical policies supporting the use of the FFRct technology following coronary computed tomography angiograms for members with stable chest pain. Read more
2. BrainScope raises $16m for TBI assessment device
BrainScope said yesterday that it closed a $16 million funding round for the eponymous traumatic brain injury assessment device it developed.
Bethesda, Md.-based BrainScope said new backer DBL Partners joined existing investors Revolution LLC, ZG Ventures, Maryland Venture Fund participated in the round, along with unnamed existing and new investors in the round. Read more
1. Philips subsidiary Spectranetics recalls Bridge occlusion balloon
Royal Philips subsidiary Spectranetics recalled its Bridge occlusion balloon after receiving reports of blocked guidewire lumens.
The Bridge device is used to temporarily block the superior vena cava for emergency control of hemorrhage. Spectranetics said the August 25 recall was prompted by nine reports of blocked guidewire lumens, although no deaths or serious injuries were reported. Read more