USA

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.

Biomet, Inc. has reached a settlement amounting to $56 million in Multi-District Litigation (MDL) 2391 relating to its M2A Magnum Hip Implant Products.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Ethicon, a division of J&J, has identified an issue in the packaging process for its SurgiFlo haemostatic matrix. It seems certain products, manufactured between September 16 2011 and July 27 2012 are susceptible to a potential breach of the double Tyvek pouch of the packaging.

Misonix says it is acting in a manner consistent with its business strategy by electing to sell its products under its own label via its own proprietary sales organization. With its now defunct distribution agreement less than 2 years old, Aesculap might be a little aggrieved.

Covidien is showcasing some of its most innovative surgical products at the American College of Surgeons (ACS) annual clinical congress being held at McCormick Place in Chicago this week. Key featured products include the new Sonicision™ ultrasonic incision and hemostasis device as well as the company’s iDrive™ Ultra powered stapling system.

Sandra E. Peterson will join Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) on December 1, 2012, as Group Worldwide Chairman and member of the Company’s Executive Committee. She will have responsibility for the Consumer Group of Companies, Information Technology, and Global Supply Chain.