DOTmed HealthCare Business News
New Jersey AG Reaches Settlement With Medical Device Maker Synthes
by Lynn Shapiro 05/21/2009The landmark agreement removes conflict-of-interest from clinical trials. NJ AG calls on FDA to end the outrageous and rampant conflicts of interest.
Burning Heart Tissue Via Catheter Ablation Beats Drugs for AF
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Treating atrial fibrillation by burning heart tissue with a catheter works dramatically better than drug treatments, a major international study has found.
CT Radiation Can Be Dramatically Reduced With SharpView's Software
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Recent clinical research from Massachusetts General Hospital has shown that radiation during CT scans can be dramatically lowered software from SharpView.
FDA Clears Palm-sized Ultrasound Device
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Signostics has won FDA clearance to market Signos, the company's portable ultrasound device that weighs just one pound.
First Drug-Coated Vessel Closure Device Gets FDA Nod
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009The Catalyst III is coated with protamine sulfate, a drug which neutralizes heparin in the tissue adjacent to the device.
Side Discrepancy Errors in Radiology Reports Rare But Often Clinically Significant
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Side discrepancy errors in radiology reports do occur and it is important that radiologists, referring physicians and patients communicate well to help prevent errors in clinical management, according to a study performed at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Overnight Dialysis Patients Had Less Anemia and Urea, Study Finds
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Overnight dialysis is more convenient for some patients and offers significant benefits over shorter daytime treatments, according to a study appearing in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).
Edwards Lifesciences Reports Positive Data From Its Transcatheter Valve
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009Edwards Lifesciences Corporation announced the results from its first post-market study of consecutively enrolled Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter aortic valve patients.
American College of Physicians Endorses Primary Care Act of 2009
by Lynn Shapiro 05/20/2009The 128,000-member American College of Physicians (ACP) has endorsed the Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act of 2009 (H.R. 2350), introduced by Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA).
China's Healthcare Reform: A Bonanza for Medtech Manufacturers
by Lynn Shapiro 05/19/2009U.S. and European medical equipment makers doing business in China say that the government's $120 billion plan to resurrect its health care system translates to business opportunity. A DOTmed exclusive report on market conditions for OEMs in China.
Princeton Team's Analysis of Flu Virus Could Lead to Better Vaccines
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009By manipulating the multi-stage interactive process --known as antibody interference --to advantage, the scientists believe it may be possible to design more powerful vaccines than exist today.
Pig Heart Machine Aids Cardiovascular Researchers
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009Scientists at North Carolina State University have developed a "dynamic heart system" that pumps fluid through a pig's heart so that it functions in a very realistic way.
Sodium Bicarbonate Reduces Incidence of Contrast-induced Nephropathy
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009A meta-analysis of 17 randomized trials has shown that treatment with sodium bicarbonate is the optimal strategy to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and is superior to normal saline.
Influenza Pandemic Planning Needed for Pregnant Woman and Newborns
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009Read about an often-overlooked priority in public health planning.
Experimental Implant to Track Tumor Growth
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009Such implants could one day provide up-to-the-minute information about what a tumor is doing--whether it is growing or shrinking, how it's responding to treatment, and whether it has metastasized or is about to do so.
American Pain Society Issues New Guidelines for Low-Back Pain Interventions, Surgery
by Lynn Shapiro 05/13/2009The American Pain Society (APS) has issued new clinical practice guidelines for low back pain that emphasize the use of noninvasive treatments over interventional procedures, as well as shared decision making between provider and patient.
Novel Approaches for Brain Diseases Are Discussed at AANS Meeting
by Lynn Shapiro 05/12/2009Cortical stimulation to beat treatment-resistant depression and a surgical pump for post-herpetic neuralgia were just two of the novel studies presented at the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Covidien to Buy VNUS Medical for $440 million
by Lynn Shapiro 05/11/2009Covidien Ltd said it would acquire VNUS Medical Technologies for $400 million in cash to expand its vascular business.
Medtronic Left-Heart Lead Okayed by FDA
by Lynn Shapiro 05/11/2009The lead incorporates insulation material developed by NASA Langley Research Center that was previously evaluated for space applications, high-performance engines and harsh environments.
Swine Flu Virus Update--Where We Stand and How We Got Here
by Lynn Shapiro 05/06/2009During the last week, virologists have been sequencing and analyzing swine flu cells, and have decided that for the time being, the new strain of flu--called H1N1--is not as virulent as was originally feared.
Cardinal and Ohio State to Expand Molecular Imaging Research
by Lynn Shapiro 05/05/2009The $10 million collaboration will combine Ohio State's biomedical imaging research capabilities with Cardinal Health's expertise in molecular imaging agents.
New Device to Replace Coumadin for AF Gets Advisory Panel's Nod
by Lynn Shapiro 05/05/2009An FDA advisory panel has recommended approval of the "Watchman LAA" device for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), Geisinger Health System officials say.
Kidney Stones on the Rise in Kids
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Modern problems including diet, low activity, even global warming contribute to the incidence.
Women Experience Non-Traditional Stroke Symptoms
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Get to know stroke signs in women. The non-traditional symptom that stood out was altered mental status, meaning confusion, disorientation or a loss of consciousness, according to a University of Michigan study.
Ultrasound Foundation Awards Grants to Study Brain, Fibroids and Tumor Drug Delivery
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Using ultrasound to ablate brain disorders, excise fibroids and home in on tumors to bombard them with drugs, will be studied using grant money awarded by the Focused Ultrasound Surgery Foundation.
Study Examines Community Response to Indivo Health Records
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Journal of Medical Internet Research evaluates consumers' experiences with personally controlled health records (PCHR).
Reasons for Caffeine Withdrawal Headache Uncovered
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Using EEG and ultrasound to examine blood flow velocity, as well as questionnaires, researchers found the likely mechanisms underlying what is known as "caffeine withdrawal headache."
AHA Honors Two UT Southwestern Physicians
by Lynn Shapiro 05/04/2009Kudos to Dr. Scott Grundy and Dr. Ronald Victor.
CDC Must Decide Whether to Ramp up New Flu Vaccine
by Lynn Shapiro 05/01/2009A DOTmed exclusive report on the conflicting priorities that health officials must consider in allocating finite vaccine production capabilities.
Race to Find a Flu Vaccine Is On; Flu Remedies Profit
by Lynn Shapiro 04/29/2009DOTmed spoke to the leading drug companies making vaccines and flu remedies.
Edwards' Earnings More Than Triple Due to Catheter-based Valve
by Lynn Shapiro 04/28/2009Edwards Life Sciences first-quarter net earnings more than tripled, due to an asset sale; and from snowballing revenues of its SAPIEN catheter-based heart valve.
Full Kidney Removal Not Always Needed for Small Renal Tumors
by Lynn Shapiro 04/28/2009Full kidney removal is not always the best treatment for small renal tumors and could lead to chronic kidney disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new clinical guideline issued by the American Urological Association (AUA).
Endoscopic Surgery for Pituitary Tumor is Performed Through the Nostril
by Lynn Shapiro 04/28/2009A Cedars-Sinai surgeon inserted an endoscope--consisting of a camera lens at the tip of a long tube--through a nostril, entering his patient's skull base through the sphenoid sinus, which is located deep within the skull and below the pituitary gland.
Conference on Materials for Medical Devices to Be Held in August
by Lynn Shapiro 04/27/2009Experts from academia, industry, and national laboratories involved in cardiac, vascular, neurological and GI implants, as well as orthopaedic implants, dental devices and surgical instruments, will gather for the conference August 10-12 in Minneapolis.
Cancer Cases to Increase Dramatically in the Next 20 Years, Study Finds
by Lynn Shapiro 04/27/2009During the next 20 years, the number of new cancer cases diagnosed annually in the United States will jump by 45 percent, according to research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
China Agrees to Harmonize Device Standards; Streamline Product Registration
by Lynn Shapiro 04/27/2009At a recent US-China meeting on medical devices, China agreed to harmonize its standards with those of the U.S. and other countries and improve its regulatory oversight.
All Bets Are on Drug Stocks; Government Has Ample Supply
by Lynn Shapiro 04/27/2009Even though there is no shortage of flu-fighting drugs, the government has been stockpiling Roche's Tamiflu for years. Drug shares rose over fears of swine flu pandemic.
Surgeon Is First to Remove Kidney, Prostate Through Single, Small Incision
by Lynn Shapiro 04/24/2009University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) surgeon Rabii Madi, M.D. performs double robotic surgery, removing a patient's cancerous kidney and prostate.
Specialists Should Implant Defibrillators, Study Finds
by Lynn Shapiro 04/22/2009Patients whose defibrillators were implanted by electrophysiologists--cardiologists trained in device use--had fewer complications.
Stanford and Intel Develop Imaging Technique for Diagnosing Tumors
by Lynn Shapiro 04/22/2009The technology gives scientists the ability to measure up to 100 distinct features in a single cell.
Aspirin Linked With Brain Microbleeds
by Lynn Shapiro 04/22/2009A Dutch study scanning the brains of 1,062 people found a 70 percent increased incidence of microscopic bleeding among those patients taking aspirin or carbasalate calcium--a chemical similar to aspirin--compared to patients not taking these two medications.
Baroque Music Boosts Radiologists' Mood and Cognition
by Lynn Shapiro 04/22/2009Baroque music helps improve radiologists' work lives, potentially improving their diagnostic accuracy, according to a study conducted at three hospitals.
Boston Scientific Posts a Loss Due to One-time Items; Shares Rise
by Lynn Shapiro 04/21/2009Although Boston Scientific posted a loss due to one-time items, its shares climbed 57 cents, or 6.6 percent, to $9.26 in aftermarket trading on Monday since earnings beat analysts' forecasts for the quarter.
Wounded Soldier Fit With "Power Knee" Prosthetic at Walter Reed
by Lynn Shapiro 04/21/2009Iceland-based company Ossur said Lieutenant Colonel Greg Gadson, is the first soldier to be fitted with its second-generation prosthetic Power Knee.
Osteoporosis Drugs Help Prevent Radiation-Induced Leukemia in Mice
by Lynn Shapiro 04/20/2009Mice given high enough doses of radiation to cause leukemia remained cancer free after receiving one of two types of bisphosphonates, drugs that build bone mineral density in people with osteoporosis.
Veterans Who Had Colonoscopies Now Have Hepatitis, HIV
by Lynn Shapiro 04/20/2009The Veterans Administration (VA), says it is trying to find out why veterans who had colonoscopies at three VA hospitals developed hepatitis and HIV.
Fee-for-Service Should Yield to Fee-for-Benefits, Cardiologists say
by Lynn Shapiro 04/20/2009Healthcare reform should start with "evidence-based reimbursement." This means structuring physician payment around proof of clinical benefit, which would improve quality and reduce the cost of healthcare.
GE Beats Analysts' Estimates, Despite a Down Quarter
by Lynn Shapiro 04/17/2009GE surprised investors Friday by posting earnings of 26 cents a share, beating Wall Street consensus estimates of 21 cents. GE rose 14 cents to $12.41; healthcare earnings down however.
Medtronic's Approved Implant May Subdue Overactive Bladder
by Lynn Shapiro 04/16/2009The implant, called InterStim, consists of two small electrodes placed beneath the skin, near the sacrum or "tailbone," to give a continuous shock to the nerves that control the bladder.
Abbott Posts Double-digit Earnings
by Lynn Shapiro 04/15/2009A diverse portfolio helps weather economic forces.