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. Baxter IV container recall is Class I

Baxter’s recall of tainted containers used to prepare intravenous medicines is drawing heightened FDA scrutiny. The regulatory agency slapped a Class I label on the effort, its most serious designation.

After finding particles inside, subsidiary Baxter Healthcare Corp. initiated its recall of two lots of its container models with PVC ports on Sept. 16. The company disclosed the effort to the public a month later. The containers in question are supposed to be sterile, and the fear was that the particles could get inside a patient’s veins and cause pain, worsening infection, allergic reaction, blood vessel blockages or death, according to the recall notice. Read more

2. Startup Aortica raises $7m in Series A round, names Douthitt CEO

Aortica said it raised $7 million in a Series A round for development of its treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms and named a medtech veteran as its new CEO.

Aortica said medtech veteran Tom Douthitt will helm the corner office, with co-founder Dr. Ben Starnes serving as chief medical officer. Read more

1. Medtronic realigns diabetes unit

Medtronic said that it realigned its diabetes business to focus on “transforming diabetes care,” according to CEO Omar Ishrak.

Ishrak told analysts during a conference call that Fridley, Minn.-based Medtronic divided the diabetes business into 3 segments during its fiscal 2nd quarter. Read more