(Reuters) — International Business Machine (NYSE:IBM) said it would buy Merge Healthcare (NSDQ:MRGE), which provides medical images and clinical systems, in a $1 billion deal and combine it with its Watson Health analytics unit. Merge Healthcare shareholders will get $7.13 per share at a premium of 31.8% to yesterday’s close, the companies said. Merge Healthcare shares were up […]
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Feds indict ex-Acclarent execs | The week in medtech M&A
Big data: IBM enlists Medtronic, J&J, Apple in major healthcare push
Hip implant costs are a medical mystery, study says | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — A Washington University project intended to uncover the cost of hip replacement procedures made the unindented discovery that around half of the hospitals could provide no estimates.
Among the more than 100 hospitals contacted by the researcher, those that could provide figures ranged from around $11,000 to more than $125,000.
The IRS gears up to tackle Obamacare | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — The U.S. Internal Revenue Service should have its hands full in dealing with implementation of the new taxes and rules contained in the Affordable Care Act.
The federal agency must handle more than 40 changes to the tax code as well as make sure appropriate recipients get new tax credits and individuals and businesses pay penalties for any non-compliance.
IBM’s Watson supercomputer learns about cancer | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — IBM’s Watson supercomputer, which trounced a pair of human competitors on Jeopardy more than year ago, has begun treating patients at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
A result of a partnership announced earlier this year, Watson is "in the trenches" with oncologists to analyze cancer research and literature to provide diagnostic and treatment solutions.
Breast cancer: Ultrasound-guided surgery bests “blind” tumor removal | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Ultrasound-guided breast tumor removal proved "much more successful" than standard surgery in excising all cancerous tissue while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible, according to a report unveiled at the European Breast Cancer Conference last week.
Researchers expect their findings to reform the standard of care for palpable breast tumors, or those that can be felt, according to a press release.
IBM’s Watson supercomputer tackles cancer | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — IBM’s Jeopardy-winning Watson supercomputer is taking a swing at oncology research in efforts to help hospitals more quickly diagnose and treat cancer.
Watson can cull through 200 million pages of information in less than 3 seconds, according to IBM, and the machine is getting an education in oncology at Manhattan’s Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Buffett may back out of J&J | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Investment tycoon Warren Buffet may be ready to ditch his stake in Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), he said during a CNBC interview.
J&J has "obviously has messed up in a lot of ways in the last few years," the chairman & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) said, referring to a slew of company recalls covering a range of products from hip implants to baby lotion.
Wash. governor and 11 attorneys general defend health law | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Washington state governor Christine Gregoire joined 11 state attorney generals in voicing defense for the individual insurance mandate in President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
The group filed documents in support of the mandate with the U.S. Supreme Court, where challenges to the health law are expected to undergo initial arguments in March.
Each filed a separate amicus brief, Law360.com reported, including Gregoire and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley.
UPDATE: Could a medical device be used to cyberassassinate?
At least one Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT) insulin pump has software vulnerabilities that could make it a target for malicious hacks and other models may also be at risk, according to software security giant McAfee.
The McAfee team developed code that allowed it to take over the insulin pump, altering its programming and even administering potentially lethal doses from as much as 300 feet away.