Say hello to MassDevice +7, a bite-sized view of the top seven med-tech stories of the week. This latest feature of MassDevice.com’s coverage highlights our seven biggest and most influential stories from the week’s news to make sure you’re up to date on the headlines that continue to shape the medical device industry.
If you read nothing else this weekend, make sure you’re still in the know with MassDevice +7.
7. FDA eschews recall, instead restricts use of Stryker’s Wingspan brain stents
Stryker avoids a recall as the FDA opts to restrict use of the medical device company’s Wingspan brain stent system to a narrower group of patients after studies suggested the device may increase stroke and death rates.
6. FDA: Johnson & Johnson’ new DePuy Synthes Spine division touts 1st win
Johnson & Johnson’s newly formed DePuy Synthes Spine division comes out swinging, touting FDA clearance for a suite of scoliosis-correcting spine devices just weeks after the $19.7 billion merger.
5. Hacking Healthcare: Are insulin pumps more susceptible to attack?
Some insulin pumps contain a dangerous combination of software security weaknesses and "convenient" features that could prevent patients from knowing that their device has been compromised, a new report says.
4. CRM: Hospital chain unveils federal probe into medical necessity of heart rhythm implants
The U.S. Justice Dept. launches a probe into hospital chain HCA Holdings, reviewing the medical necessity and Medicare billing practices surrounding implantable cardio-defibrillators.
3. Whistleblower lawsuit accuses Orthofix of kickbacks scheme
A recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit in Florida accuses Orthofix of helping to file ‘thousands’ of false Medicare claims beginning in 2002 as part of a kickbacks scheme.
2. M&A: The top 15 acquirers among medical device companies
A look at the most acquisitive medical device companies, culled from MassDevice.com’s Big 100 database of more than 1,300 medical device industry transactions.
1. California probes hospital accused of secret clinical trials with Stryker bone products
The California Health Dept. investigates a local hospital accused of using patients as "unwitting guinea pigs" for experimental Stryker bone-growth products.
