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. Feds: We got $119m in fraud penalties from medtech companies last year

Federal authorities say they penalized medical device companies to the tune of nearly $119 million for healthcare fraud during fiscal 2014, including the $30 million Boston Scientific paid to settle a False Claims Act case back in October 2013.

The haul was part of the $2.3 billion won or negotiated by the U.S. Justice Dept. and the Health & Human Services Dept. in healthcare fraud judgments and settlements during fiscal 2014, which ran from October 1, 2013, to September 30, 2014, according to the agencies’ annual report on their joint healthcare fraud and abuse prevention program. Read more

2. Second Sight logs milestone in quest to ‘cure’ blindness

Second Sight Medical said it passed a significant milestone on its quest to treat virtually all forms of blindness, announcing the 1st successful implantation of a mechanical model of its next-generation Orion I device in a pre-clinical study.

Sylmar, Calif.-based Second Sight calls Orion 1 a “visual cortical prosthesis” designed to bypass the eye and the optic nerve using an electrode implanted into the visual cortex of the brain. Read more

1. Zimmer recalls Persona knee implant component

Zimmer is recalling a crucial component of 1 of its knee implant systems because of increased complaints that the part was loosening and wouldn’t show up on X-rays.

The FDA slapped a Class II label on the recall, signifying major safety risks, of Zimmer’s Persona trabecular metal tibial plates. Read more