Most Clicked AdvaMed SmartBrief Stories
1. Analyst: Recession's effect on medical devices "remains to be seen"
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
The economic recession's effect on the sales of medical devices such as pacemakers and knee implants has yet to be determined, said Aaron Vaughn, an Edward Jones analyst. "Some of these things are medical necessities, but the question remains to be seen how sensitive these markets are to economic downturns," Vaughn said. Boston Globe, The (12/31)
2. Lack of "connectivity" among medical devices creates concerns
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 29, 2008
Many medical devices are not capable of communicating with each other, and this inability is among the reasons why U.S. health care facilities fail "to make dramatic improvements in patient safety," said Dr. Julian Goldman, a hospital anesthesiologist. Device firms, however, attend yearly "Connectathons" and consider increased connectivity a priority, said Jeffrey Secunda, AdvaMed's associate vice president of technology and regulatory affairs. Boston Globe, The (12/29)
3. Wright Medical to launch new devices in 2009, CEO says
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
Wright Medical Group plans to unveil new medical devices in the coming year as it moves to broaden its manufacturing business, President and CEO Gary D. Henley said. The company also is expanding, partly to boost production capacity for Biofoam, used in knee devices, Henley said. Daily News (Memphis, Tenn.), The (12/31)
4. Boston Scientific moves to sell, sublease some Mass. facilities
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
Boston Scientific is seeking to sell or rent out several of its properties in Massachusetts, including its former main office in Watertown and a warehouse in Natick. The move could be part of Boston Scientific's efforts to streamline costs, according to The Boston Globe. Boston Globe, The (01/02)
5. Medicare steps up fight against medical-equipment fraud
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
Medicare has canceled the billing privileges of 1,139 suppliers of durable medical equipment in the Miami and Los Angeles areas after the companies failed to resubmit necessary documents. The CMS on Monday also issued a rule requiring suppliers to secure a $50,000 surety bond. The rule "is another tool in our toolbox to help us fight Medicare fraud," said Kimberly Brandt, the agency's director of program integrity. Wall Street Journal (free content), The (12/29) Bloomberg (12/29)
6. J&J wraps up $438 million tender offer for Omrix
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 29, 2008
Johnson & Johnson has completed a $438 million tender offer for Omrix Biopharmaceuticals. J&J obtained nearly 98% of Omrix's shares and said it intends to finalize the buyout as soon as possible. Omrix is expected to operate as an independent business under Ethicon, a J&J subsidiary. BusinessWeek (12/27)
7. Startup develops device to treat varicose veins
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
VeinAid has developed an inexpensive plastic product that could help treat varicose veins by applying mild pressure on affected areas and decreasing reflux by up to 95%. The startup firm expects to secure 510(k) approval from the FDA and launch the disposable device in early 2010. Mass High Tech (01/02)
8. GE Healthcare International to focus on "early health," CEO says
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Jan 02, 2009
Reinaldo Garcia, CEO of GE Healthcare International, said he remains confident about the long-term prospects of the global health care business despite the economic downturn. He says that shifting from symptoms-focused medicine to preventive care via molecular-imaging techniques and patient-based therapies could help make medicine more cost-effective and help people from emerging economies gain access to much-needed resources. Guardian (London), The (01/02)
9. LifeVest may aid in predicting heart attacks
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 30, 2008
U.S. physicians hope a trial of the LifeVest device will help find ways to gauge a patient's risk of suffering another heart attack. Study participants wear the product, which functions as an external defibrillator, for two to three months so researchers can assess whether patients still need the LifeVest or require an implantable device. Des Moines Register (Iowa), The (12/29)
10. Salient Surgical transfers headquarters to Portsmouth, N.H.
AdvaMed SmartBrief | Dec 31, 2008
Salient Surgical Technologies announced that it completed the relocation of its main office in New Hampshire from Dover to Portsmouth. The 56,658-square-foot facility will enable the company to boost its growth and pursue new product development, said Joseph F. Army, Salient's president and CEO. Mass High Tech (12/30)
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