Endoscopy

Israeli device company Medigus Ltd. has announced that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its SRS endoscopic system, designed for minimally-invasive endoluminal treatment of Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.

Boston Scientific Corporation has announced the FDA clearance for an expanded use indication for the CRE™ Wireguided Balloon Dilator for endoscopic dilation of the Sphincter of Oddi following sphincterotomy, quite literally opening up the possibility of using it for dilation assisted stone removal.

Another approach to reducing calorific intake is demonstrated with the newly CE marked Satisphere device, an endoscopically inserted series of balloons on a wire, which retain gut contents in the duodenum for longer, creating the feeling of satiation and therefore reducing appetite.

FDA has cleared Theragenics subsidiary Galt’s Valved Tearaway Introducer, opening the door for the company to gain access to a $14m market.

GI Dynamics Inc is no doubt delighted to see its product featuring at the Obesity and metabolic Disorders congress, especially as a presentation suggests its Endobarrier® device can be used a second time on the same patient without problems.

Capsule Endoscopy marches forward with Given Imaging announcing the expansion of its indications in Japan to cover visualisation and diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.

Covidien is back in the news this week with its announcement of the acquisition of Israeli pulmonology company superDimension Ltd.

Guidelines are imminently to be published by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, which govern the use and applicability of capsule endoscopy, according to a press release from specialist company Given Imaging.

Ethicon-Endo-supported retrospective data study says VATS is cheaper and better than open wedge resection.

The Japanese way seems culturally at odds with the way many of Olympus’s overseas investors would like to see the company acting as it appoints board members from its creditor list.

Fiendishly clever scientists from San Diego have described a microrocket, which would exploit low pH conditions to elicit drive from a chemical reaction. Suggested applications on a postcard please.

Embattled Olympus is in the news again as seven people including former executives of the company have been arrested.

Boston Scientific is sounding pretty pleased with itself as it publicises positive results from three major studies on its WallFlex® enteral stent family of products.

Smith & Nephew’s 2011 was pretty good according to its financials and the company is getting a handle on its costs, suggesting a strong 2012, albeit at the expense of further job losses.

AA newly published study indicates that use of capsule endoscopy may yield disappointing rates of lesion detection, regardless of experience.

Despite a generally gloomy outlook Stryker financials and predictions for 2012 look strong from preliminary report.