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. Medical device recalls hit 2-year low in Q2
The number of medical device recalls fell 17% during the 2nd quarter to a 2-year low, with 47% fewer units pulled from shelves than during the same period last year, according to a report from Stericycle.
There were 275 recalls involving 148 companies during the quarter, the lowest number since the 2nd quarter of 2012, according to the report, which is compiled using data from the FDA and other regulatory agencies. The number of recalled units, however, rose 82% compared with the 4th quarter of 2013, the company said. Read more
2. ResMed, Apex Medical bury the hatchet
ResMed said today that it’s agreed to bury the hatchet with Apex Medical in their patent infringement battle over the technology behind respiratory masks for treating sleep apnea.
The confidential settlement resolves all patent disputes worldwide between the companies, according to a press release. Read more
1. J&J, Boston Scientific, others can’t shake Philly pelvic mesh mass tort
Johnson & Johnson, Boston Scientific and several other pelvic mesh makers will have to challenge more than 860 product liability lawsuits on a case-by-case basis, a Pennsylvania state judge ruled this week in a growing mass tort action in Philadelphia.
Judge Arnold New, director of the Complex Litigation Center at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, on Sept. 2 dismissed joint motions by J&J subsidiary Ethicon, Boston Scientific, C.R. Bard and Endo Health Solutions unit American Medical Systems Holdings to toss all of the lawsuits en masse, according to court documents. Read more
