JointPoint’s hip navigation system allows for digital templating and precise analysis of implant selection and positioning
USA
U.S. First-In-Man Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Fortimedix Surgical’s Lowest Profile Single-Port Surgery Solution
FMX314 is the world’s first single-port surgery solution that is compatible with a standard 15mm trocar for MIS abdominal laparoscopic surgery.
Smartinhaler™ Company Sets Stall Out in U.S.
Adherium establishes North American operation and appoints Senior Vice President of Business Development to lead market expansion
New Drug Delivery Device Company, Medallion Therapeutics Emerges from Alfred Mann Foundation
An implantable drug delivery pump forms the basis of a new company, Medallion Therapeutics, Inc., which has sprung from the Alfred Mann Foundation (AMF) for Scientific Research.
HIMSS Congress Sees Launch of SmartLinx™ Medical Device Information System
Medical device integration solutions company Capsule Tech, Inc., is using the HIMSS event in Florida this week to announce the introduction of its SmartLinx™ Medical Device Information System.
Metal-on-Metal Hip Ends Up Costing Biomet $56 Million
Biomet, Inc. has reached a settlement amounting to $56 million in Multi-District Litigation (MDL) 2391 relating to its M2A Magnum Hip Implant Products.
Legalists Point to Surgical Robot Training and Technical Failings
Law firm Bernstein Liebhard LLP has issued a press release that brings us up to date, pointing in particular to a piece of research that suggests 30% of robotic surgery complications using Intuitive’s da Vinci system, as reported on the FDA’s MAUDE database, were either a result of operator error or technical failure of the robotic system itself.
Ethicon Reality Checks into Collaboration with Megadyne®
Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. and Megadyne®, Inc have both issued press releases, confirming that they have entered into a collaboration agreement. The deal will see customers offered a contracting solution that incorporates the two companies’ combined product offerings, increasing choice and access to a broad energy portfolio.
Johnson & Johnson Considering $3 Billion Settlement of DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson is considering a settlement with injured hip implant patients that could total more than $3 billion. Sources close to the matter have told Bloomberg that the company is weighing their options in settling thousands of cases involving DePuy hip implants that have been linked to early failure rates and a host of serious complications.
Could “Pacemaker Tax” Provide the Wriggle Room to End Obamacare Deadlock?
It looks like the US medtech sales tax could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, as concessions need to be made to get the budget approved. Whether a repeal would be enough to cajole republicans into accepting Obamacare is doubtful, but it just might be.
MIS Rib Fracture Fixation with US Launch of Depuy Synthes CMF MatrixRIB™ System
DePuy Synthes CMF has announced the U.S. launch of new instrumentation that enables less invasive surgical fixation and stabilization of rib fractures. The MatrixRIB™ System offers precontoured, low-profile titanium plates, locking screws and intramedullary splints.
Medlatest’s Weekly Editorial Online Now
In the western world’s chase for technological advancement and the less savoury side of human nature it occasionally brings to the surface, perhaps we should reflect on the life of the Iraqi girl with one leg and no prospects. Just to even things up a bit.
Metal-on-Metal Vultures Circling
Law firm, Legal Bay has issued this release following the jury’s massive award to Loren Kransky, plaintiff against J&J DePuy. It’s predicting many many more such cases.
Alcon On FDA’s “Very” Naughty Step For Improperly Marketing Its Laser
This envelope must have been an unpleasant one to open. Following an inspection of Alcon Inc.’s Aliso Viejo site in California, the agency wrote a stinging warning letter to the company citing a number of serious shortfalls in its activities.
12%, 37% or 49%? What Exactly Is DePuy’s All-Metal Hip Failure Rate At 5 Years
Bloomberg has reported on the pre-trial testimony of Paul Voorhorst, a DePuy biostatistician, as a preamble to proceedings in the case of Loren Kransky vs J&J (DePuy), for which the jury sits tomorrow (Friday 25th January). In it, previously unseen documents suggest that the company’s own estimates of failure rate for some of its metal-on-metal hip prostheses are now as high as 37%, significantly higher than the 12 or 13% cited in the original recall notices.
St.Jude’s To-do List: Secure Durata Coating Supply, Tick. Next Job, Address FDA Warning Letter
St.Jude’s shareholders are a resilient lot. It’s been bad stuff on top of bad stuff for ages, but now that Durata seems to be weathering the storm and the coating supply deal is secured, there’s just the simple matter of dealing with a stern warning letter from the FDA over its practices.