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. Stryker ramps up Chinese efforts
Stryker focuses its penetration into the Chinese market on educational outreach, investment in personnel and a push for innovation. It topped off its efforts with a mobile fan, set to tour 10 Chinese cities this year.
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6. Medtronic recalls Synchromed again
Medtronic Inc.’s (NYSE:MDT) urgent update last month turned into a second class I recall for its SynchroMed II implantable drug infusion pumps over reports that the devices may have defective batteries that can lead to sudden failure.
5. Deficit: cut med devices to curb spending
Expensive medical devices are to blame for rampant growth in health care spending, Harvard researchers say. According to them, health care spending could be curbed by doctors cutting back on expensive medical devices rather than slashing Medicare and Medicaid.
4. Top 5 stories of the summer
Leveraged buyouts, large-cap layoffs, a move to ditch the 510(k), the med-tech industry’s road to China and one determined hacker – they all made the top five medical device stories for the summer of 2011.
3. Breast implant recall is a no-go
FDA officials decided that a lack of consistent postmarket data gathering wasn’t enough to spur a recall.
2. FDA issues dire warning on strangler
The FDA issued a warning of life-threatening injury after the ShoulderFlex therapeutic massager made by King International LLC killed one person, nearly strangled another and injured two more.
1. Stryker/Biomet buys SNN
There’s renewed talk across the pond that Stryker Corp. (NYSE:SYK) is once again in the running to buy Smith & Nephew plc (NYSE:SNN), with one prominent U.K. analyst casting doubt on such a deal clearing U.S. anti-trust hurdles.
