Regulators in China are looking to promote and increase the localization and development of medical devices in the region and grow the market significantly, according to a report from industry group Medtec. China released its 13th 5-year health strategy plan, drawing a bead on medical devices as a “main breakthrough area” for the country, according to […]
MedTech
Researchers develop responsive, insulin-releasing skin patch
Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University and Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a skin patch that measures blood glucose levels and releases insulin when levels climb too high. The team’s work testing the patch in mice was published earlier this month […]
Heart failure devices: This amazing new robot could be the future
A new customizable robotic heart sleeve has demonstrated potential when it comes to aiding the beating of a failing heart, according to the Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital researchers who developed it. The researchers claim that the soft robot has advantages over the heart assist devices such as VADs that are out there because […]
Donald Trump: 5 questions medtech needs to ask
From tax breaks to Obamacare repeal, medtech companies are likely due to experience major changes under President Donald Trump. The situation, though, remains unpredictable. “I don’t think that there has been a scenario, not since I’ve been a professional and in politics, where we really know so little about exactly what the key priorities are […]
Medtech sits on the sidelines as ACA repeal looms
Some major medical device industry lobbying groups are staying mum for now about the expected repeal of the U.S. Affordable Care Act—even though an extensive overhaul of the national healthcare system would have a serious impact on medtech. With so much unpredictability around how the incoming Trump administration and the new Republican Congress will replace […]
FDA’s CDRH reveals guidance plans for FY2017
Heather Thompson, MDO senior editor CDRH is setting its goals along with the rest of us for the new year. The agency has published and prioritized its intentions for FY2017, starting with a list of new documents it intends to release in FY2017 (A-list). It has also shared a B-list of previously-issued final guidances for […]
Touch Surgery simulations are even more amazing: Here’s how
Touch Surgery, which already boasts a community of 1.5 million using its mobile surgical simulations, is upping its game when it comes to making the platform even more immersive. Touch on Friday announced a partnership with DAQRI to add augmented reality capabilities to the simulations using DAQRI smart glasses. Here’s a sample from Touch Surgery […]
Boston Sci giving lift to new erectile dysfunction device
Want to put some lead in your pencil? Try nitinol instead. The wonder metal—a nickel-titanium alloy with heat-activated shape memory—has proved essential for Wisconsin and Illinois researchers building what British tabloids are calling a “bionic penis.” Chuckles aside, the proposed implant has enough potential advantages over existing erectile dysfunction treatment implants that Boston Scientific officials […]
Luminex wins FDA nod to test for dangerous pregnancy infection
Luminex continues to rack up FDA clearances for assays to use in its Aries systems. The Austin, Texas–based company said Wednesday that FDA has cleared an Aries assay for group B streptococcus. It’s the third assay FDA has cleared for use with Luminex’s Aries systems. The GBS assay has also received a CE-IVD marking. Luminex […]
GE plans to dominate 3D printing: Here’s how
A new big gorilla has entered the 3D printing space, and it is called General Electric. GE said Wednesday that GE Additive will work with GE Capital to both sell and finance metal additive machines. The news is but another sign of just how important officials at the multinational industrial company view 3D printing’s potential […]
University of Virginia has a smartphone-controlled artificial pancreas
Danielle Kirsh, MDO Assistant Editor University of Virginia researchers are making strides when it comes to developing an artificial pancreas that can be controlled using a smartphone. The FDA approved the UVA-developed artificial pancreas for testing in 2012, and UVA received a $3.4M grant from the National Institutes of Health in 2013. The device is currently […]