DOTmed HealthCare Business News
Less Severe First Heart Attacks Linked to Heart Disease Death Reductions
by Lynn Shapiro 01/20/2009The American Heart Association reports that improved prevention efforts as well as improvements in hospital care appear to have contributed to the decline in severity.
FDA White Papers Detail Sterility Testing Essentials
by Lynn Shapiro 01/16/2009FDA has issued white papers detailing sterility testing essentials for medical device makers.
FDA Says Makers of Hand-held X-rays Must Provide Extra Safety
by Lynn Shapiro 01/14/2009Because hand-held X-rays require operators and patients to be closer to the devices, manufacturers must take extra precautions, FDA says.
Health Care CEOs Top the Turnover List
by Lynn Shapiro 01/14/2009Research conducted by Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. shows that job cuts in health care rank in "the middle of the pack" among industries but that health care had the highest turnover among CEOs in 2008.
Experimental Surgical Tools Need No Wires or Batteries
by Lynn Shapiro 01/14/2009Johns Hopkins researchers have invented dust-particle-size devices that can be used to grab and remove living cells from hard-to-reach places without the need for electrical wires, tubes or batteries.
Asthmatx Seeks FDA Approval for Device-Based Procedure for Severe Asthma
by Lynn Shapiro 01/14/2009FDA has granted expedited review status to the company, which has developed the first non-drug therapy for asthma, called bronchial thermoplasty.
GE Healthcare to Back Cytori's Adipose Cell Tissue System
by Lynn Shapiro 01/13/2009The device extracts and makes a dose of a patient's own adipose tissue-derived adult stem and regenerative cells, which can be used for a variety of medical indications.
Abbott Buys Advanced Medical Optics for $1.36 Billion
by Lynn Shapiro 01/12/2009Abbott Laboratories said it would acquire Advanced Medical Optics Inc. for $1.36 billion, boosting Abbott's already formidable presence in the eye care business.
Brain Scans and Genetic Profiles Track Risk of Dementia
by Lynn Shapiro 01/07/2009UCLA scientists can now see brain aging before symptoms appear using both PET scans and information on patients' Alzheimer's risk.
Edwards Lifesciences Heart Valve Method Is Tested at Columbia
by Lynn Shapiro 01/07/2009New York-Presbyterian / Columbia's Dr. Martin Leon and Dr. Craig Smith--who performed a bypass on President Clinton--are testing a new way of inserting a heart valve using a catheter and new fixation method.
Deep Brain Stimulation Helps Parkinson's Patients; But Also Causes Adverse Effects
by Lynn Shapiro 01/06/2009JAMA study provides an early assessment of drug therapy versus the use of a medical device.
Boston Scientific Acquires Labcoat Limited
by Lynn Shapiro 01/06/2009The acquisition capitalizes on Labcoat's drug-eluting stent technology.
3T MRI Can Detect Ligament Tears; Can Rule Out Unnecessary Surgery
by Lynn Shapiro 01/06/2009MRI of the wrist at 3T provides a road map for patients with torn ligaments who need surgery and in many cases, can rule out surgery for those patients who don't need it, according to a recent study.
Johnson & Johnson Completes Omrix Buyout
by Lynn Shapiro 01/05/2009Johnson & Johnson said it has completed its tender offer for shares of Omrix Biopharmaceuticals Inc., a New York-based maker of surgical sealants with production in Israel.
New Polymer Works on Dogs With Corneal Disease
by Lynn Shapiro 12/30/2008An experimental polymer, made by Nicast Ltd. of Israel, is being tested on dogs with corneal disease. The polymer is formed into fibers that can be used in medical devices that release medication. Human applications may follow.
Study Investigates the Cost Effectiveness of Spinal Surgery
by Lynn Shapiro 12/30/2008Back pain affects more than 80 percent of people and costs more than $100 billion annually in the U.S. But is the surgery cost effective?
Gold Particles Deliver More Than Just Glitter
by Lynn Shapiro 12/30/2008MIT researchers have developed a drug-delivery system that may be able to release up to three or four drugs in a controlled fashion.
Nanoparticle Probe Called "C Dots" Targets Tumors
by Lynn Shapiro 12/29/2008Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have developed one of the first nanoparticle probes that may be adapted for tumor targeting and treatment. The next generation of nanoparticles may provide better contrast agents for PET imaging.
Scientists Show How Cruciferous Veggies Stop Breast Cancer
by Lynn Shapiro 12/29/2008University of California scientists have found that isothiocyanates, substances found in broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, prevent breast cancer.
Wherefore a Leap Second?
by Lynn Shapiro 12/29/2008New Year's celebrations will be postponed by one second, says the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The adjustment will be made just before 7 PM, Eastern Time.
FDA Commissioner Von Eschenbach to Resign January 20
by Lynn Shapiro 12/23/2008Von Eschenbach was appointed by President Bush in 2005.
Heart Disease Associated With Lack of Sleep
by Lynn Shapiro 12/23/2008One extra hour of sleep per night appears to slash the risk of coronary artery calcification, the University of Chicago Medical Center reports. And the benefits appear to be greater for women.
Howard Sandler, M.D. Named Chair of Radiation Oncology at Cedars-Sinai
by Lynn Shapiro 12/23/2008Renowned radiation oncologist Howard Sandler, M.D., has been named chair of Radiation Oncology at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Patients Receive Reconditioned Lungs
by Lynn Shapiro 12/22/2008A technique developed by Toronto General Hospital and a company called Vitrolife, lets surgeons repair injured donor lungs so they are suitable for transplantation.
S&P Says it May Be Forced to Lower GE's Top Credit Rating in 2010
by Lynn Shapiro 12/19/2008Decades-long AAA rating may be in jeopardy.
Times Are Tough, GE's CEO Reports, But the Company Remains Confident
by Lynn Shapiro 12/17/2008Jeffrey Immelt told analysts at the company's annual outlook meeting that GE expects to outperform the S&P next year, regardless of the "toughest environment we have ever seen."
Study Questions Accuracy of Colonoscopies
by Lynn Shapiro 12/17/2008Colonoscopy significantly reduces death from left-sided colon cancer but not from right-sided colon cancer, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Researcher Develops Tiny Ultrasound to Travel Through the Eardrum
by Lynn Shapiro 12/16/2008The device will detect scarring from implants in the middle ear and the effects of diseases like Meniere's.
Boston Scientific Wins FDA Clearance for Renal Artery Stent
by Lynn Shapiro 12/16/2008Its Express SD System is the first stent approved for use in renal artery disease.
Healthcare's Nine Most Pressing Issues
by Lynn Shapiro 12/15/2008Read the top nine issues that will change the face of U.S. healthcare system next year and perhaps make the system stronger.
Philips Respironics Buys Medel SpA of Italy
by Lynn Shapiro 12/15/2008Medel is a leader in portable nebulizers and has a strong market position in Europe and around the world. a branch of business related to the aerosoltherapy business, not the whole company as it is stated in your article. http://www.newscenter.philips.com/about/news/press/20081215_aerosol_acquisition.page We also found, in the article section "China Acquisition", another wrong statement, since Medel did not own any plant in China; Philips, in fact, acquired also one of our suppliers, Melhk ltd of Hong Kong, which did not belong to Medel. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you need any further information.
Philips to Report a Net Loss in Fourth Quarter Earnings
by Lynn Shapiro 12/09/2008The company has also slashed profitability targets for 2010 due to the "speed and depth of recession."
Intelect Medical Receives Private Equity Financing
by Lynn Shapiro 12/09/2008Start-up Intelect Medical receives private equity funding for its implantable device aimed at stroke and traumatic brain injury patients.
Zinc Is Culprit in Hospital-Acquired Infections
by Lynn Shapiro 12/09/2008The presence of zinc is crucial to the formation of infection-causing biofilms, University of Cincinnati researchers have found.
The "Top 10" Medical Innovations for 2009
by Lynn Shapiro 12/08/2008The Cleveland Clinic predicts medical innovations that will help revolutionize healthcare next year.
Ultrasound Prevents Stroke in Kids With Sickle Cell Disease
by Lynn Shapiro 12/08/2008Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography (TCD) and regular transfusions for children at high risk, reduced stroke to 1/10th of the incidence found before TCD was introduced.
C.R. Bard's Vascular Stent Is Cleared by FDA
by Lynn Shapiro 12/08/2008Bard is now the only medical device maker offering both a stent and a stent graft for peripheral vascular disease.
Angled Gantry CT Reduces Radiation Exposure to the Breast
by Lynn Shapiro 12/04/2008An angled gantry approach to coronary CT angiography reduced radiation exposure to the breast by 50 percent, researchers have found.
GE Stock Soars After Company Announces GE Capital Restructuring
by Lynn Shapiro 12/03/2008GE Capital, caught in the ongoing credit crunch, has gone from a cash cow to a liability for the company.
Cardinal Health and SRI/Surgical Form Joint Venture
by Lynn Shapiro 12/03/2008Cardinal Health will make disposable surgical kits for both companies while SRI will make reusables.
For DOTmed 100 Medical Imaging Resources Inc., Hard Times Mean Profits
by Lynn Shapiro 12/03/2008The company's well-established rental sales group and its imaging systems sales group work together to save providers money with their services.
Philips Completes Share Buy Back
by Lynn Shapiro 12/01/2008The company will focus on core businesses including healthcare, Philips tells DOTmed News.
Johnson & Johnson Announces Agreement to Buy Mentor Corp.
by Lynn Shapiro 12/01/2008Now that healthcare company stocks are at record lows, J&J is expected to use its huge cash reserves to buy up more companies in the near future.
President Bush's Last Minute Regulations Peeve California Nurses
by Lynn Shapiro 12/01/2008Citing midnight rules that would erode health and safety, nurses unveil website to "send Bush packing."
Have an Extra Helping of Cranberries This Holiday
by Lynn Shapiro 11/25/2008Cranberries contain antioxidants that are good for the heart and are protective against free radicals. As most of us know, they are also a first-line treatment for urinary tract infections. Less known is that cranberries are an effective treatment for periodontal disease because of their powerful anti-inflammatory effect, according to U.S. Cranberries.com, which markets the fruit.
Medicsight and Ziosoft Form Partnership to Detect Colon Polyps
by Lynn Shapiro 11/25/2008The companies plan to integrate Medicsight's ColonCAD with Ziosoft's Ziostation and market the product next year, assuming it receives FDA clearance.
Have an Extra Helping of Cranberries This Thanksgiving, Urologists Say
by Lynn Shapiro 11/24/2008The fruit's high acid content helps inhibit bacterial growth along the urinary tract.
InHealth Awards Grants to Study Impact of Medical Devices on Patients
by Lynn Shapiro 11/24/2008InHealth will give universities $1.7 million over the next two years to examine the cost-benefits of devices such as hearing aids and glucose pumps.
DOTmed Certified Christopher Reilly Specializes in Selling to Cardiologists
by Lynn Shapiro 11/21/2008He sells and services Digirad's gamma cameras.
UMass Scientist Awarded Grant to Improve Cardiac Devices
by Lynn Shapiro 11/20/2008Next generation devices will be more secure as well as more sophisticated.