Companies

Thoratec Corporation has reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2014. International sales of the Heartmate device continue to dominate the revenue line, with 7% growth compared with the equivalent quarter a year ago.

It’s Digestive Disease (DDW) 2014 this week in Chicago, IL. and Olympus has chosen the event at which to launch its newly cleared “next-generation” ENDOCAPSULE 10 System for small bowel capsule endoscopy procedures.

EndoGastric Solutions® recently released data supporting its Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®) procedure for treating Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD. Now the company has announced that it has a new President and CEO in the form of industry veteran, Skip Baldino.

A Reuters article tells us that Johnson & Johnson has suspended the sale of its power morcellators until the risk of spreading cancerous cells is better understood. This in response to earlier FDA guidance on the subject.

Italian Cardiovascular company Sorin Group, has received U.S. FDA approval for the Mitroflow Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve with Phospholipid Reduction Treatment (PRT).

OPKO Health, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Israeli medical device company Inspiro Medical Ltd. and its Inspiromatic™, a “smart” easy-to-use dry powder inhaler with several claimed advantages over existing devices.

Intuitive Surgical has posted its most recent quarterly figures and they don’t pain a very happy picture. Revenue’s 24 percent off the equivalent period a year ago at $465 million vs $611 million.

Two of the giants of the orthopedic industry are to become one, with the news that Zimmer and Biomet’s board have agreed to an acquisition. Biomet will cost Zimmer a reported $13.35 Billion, and will still be accretive in its first year.

Medtronic recently gained the FDA’s nod to commence its IDE study into Evera, and the device has now seen its first implant performed, as part of the Medtronic randomized, global pivotal clinical trial that will enroll up to 275 patients at approximately 45 centers.

Medline Industries, Inc. has announced its acquisition of the anterior cervical fusion distraction pin business from Amendia, a recognized leading provider of innovative Class II and Class III medical devices used in spinal surgical procedures.

Two of last week’s news items have moved on a bit over the Easter weekend: Medtronic’s increasingly acrimonious spat with Edwards over the respective companies’ transcatheter heart valve offerings, and Covidien’s recall being graded Class I by the FDA.

DePuy Synthes CMF has launched its new Patient Specific Plates for Mandible surgery, bringing a new level of accuracy to the procedure and avoiding the risk of bending-induced plate breakage.

St. Jude is sounding punchy, expecting revenue gains based on a flurry of new product approvals.

Boston Scientific Corporation has received FDA approval for its latest generation of defibrillators and heart failure devices, including the DYNAGEN™ MINI and INOGEN™ MINI ICDs, as well as the DYNAGEN™ X4 and INOGEN™ X4 CRT-Ds.

Back in February 2014 we covered the news that Stryker Corporation was to acquire healthcare infrastructure business, Berchtold Holdings in a deal worth $172 million. Now that deal has gone through.

Covidien plc has gained U.S. FDA 510(k) Clearance for its Kangaroo™ feeding tube with IRIS Technology. This first-of-its-kind camera-equipped disposable feeding tube is designed to enhance patient safety by providing visualization for a procedure that is currently blinded.