Minimally Invasive Surgery
Mega meta-analysis pits open versus less-invasive surgery for heart patients | MassDevice.com On Call
MASSDEVICE ON CALL — To treat aortoiliac occlusive disease, a narrowing of the aorta or iliac arteries, cardiologists typically must choose between open bypass surgery or a less-invasive endovascular treatment.
A new meta-analysis shed some light on the pros and cons of each procedure, concluding open bypass is the more durable option but that it comes along with a longer hospital stay and increased risk of complications and death.
Teleflex nabs Eon Medical, lands E.U. win for Arrow GPSCath catheter
Olympus Medical wins FDA clearance for HD 3D surgical system
Analysts defend Intuitive Surgical as docs defend robot-assisted surgery
Updated March 18, 2013, at 2:15 p.m. with a correction.
Analysts “surprised” at sudden Intuitive Surgical sell-off
Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) shares suffered a sudden sell-off today after the American Congress of Obstetricians & Gynecologists released a statement questioning some of the marketed benefits of robot-assisted surgery.
FDA slaps Lumenis recall with Class I status
The FDA slapped the recall of the Lumenis VersaCut tissue morcellator with Class I status, denoting a device that can cause serious injury or death.
Morcellators are used to cut and remove large masses of tissue during laparoscopic procedures. Yokneam, Israel-based Lumenis is pulling the devices due to a labeling problem that could lead to "serious adverse health consequences, including death," according to the FDA.
NuVasive CEO Lukianov looks back, ahead
Medical device company NuVasive (NSDQ:NUVA) got a big boost this morning after releasing preliminary results for 2012, with a jocular chairman & CEO Alex Lukianov sharing some of the highlights with an audience at the J.P. Morgan healthcare conference in San Francisco.
NuVasive beat its own estimates for 2012 with full-year revenues of about $619 million, compared to previous guidance of $601-$606 million for the year.
Irish merger brings together Creganna-Tactx and ABT Medical
Ireland-based Creganna-Tactx Medical continued to vie for its seat among top minimally invasive device makers with the acquisition of Irish compatriot ABT Medical for an undisclosed amount.
ABT’s portfolio of medical balloons includes a the longest commercially available balloon components in the industry, up to and beyond 300 mm in length, according to a press release.
Intuitive Surgical field rep’s slip discloses gallbladder numbers
Intuitive Surgical (NSDQ:ISRG) said a field employee’s slip to a California newspaper revealed 1 of its closely held secrets: The number of single-incision surgeries performed this year using its da Vinci surgical robot.
LeMaitre lowers 2011 guidance, spikes stent graft business
LeMaitre Vascular Inc. (NSDQ:LMAT) says it will close a Laguna Hills, Calif. manufacturing facility the company picked up in last year’s $2.8 million buyout of Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s (NSDQ:ANPI) Lifespan vascular graft business.
The Burlington, Mass.-based cardiac device maker is expected to complete the closure by the end of the third quarter and move production to its Massachusetts facility.