> Boston Scientific has started enrolling patients in the SuperNOVA clinical trial to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the INNOVA self-expanding bare-metal stent system. The trial will look at patients with stenosis of the superficial femoral artery or proximal popliteal artery. Boston Scientific release
> DJO Global has received commitments for up to $300 million in a private debt to pay for the Vista medical device company's previously announced $254.6 million purchase of the therapeutic footwear retailer Dr. Comfort. News
> Patients are living longer than ever with implantable defibrillators, so the Minnesota companies that make the devices should develop longer-lasting batteries. Those conclusions come from a study presented this week at a scientific meeting in New Orleans by Dr. Robert Hauser and colleagues at the Minneapolis Heart Institute. Story
> Acute data from Cardiovascular Systems' COMPLIANCE 360° clinical trial was presented at the ACC's 60th Scientific Session. The study compared the Diamondback 360 Orbital PAD System versus balloon angioplasty in treating above-the-knee peripheral arterial disease. Results showed the system can achieve superior acute results in treating calcium-containing femoropopliteal plaque by improving lesion compliance through a technology called differential sanding, without the need for stent placement. Cardiovascular Systems release
> Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings and Orchid Cellmark have entered into a definitive agreement and plan of merger. LabCorp will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Orchid Cellmark in a cash tender offer for $2.80 per share for a total purchase price to stockholders and optionholders of approximately $85.4 million. Orchid Cellmark strengthens LabCorp's presence and strong brand name in identity testing in the US and establishes its presence in identity testing in the U.K. LabCorp-Orchid release
> Toshiba America Medical Systems has announced that Stephen Bumb has been named director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit. Toshiba release
> The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Cardica a patent for its proprietary Microcutter technology. This patent relates to the articulation of a surgical stapler or endocutter. Cardica release
> ITGI Medical has announced that following the success of its feasibility research trial, it is now commencing the next stage of its research in order to receive regulatory approval for its stents in brain markers. News
And Finally... Shares of Boston Scientific and Medtronic declined despite positive news for both companies' next-generation stent platforms. And Mass Device wonders if the sun may finally have set on the heyday for coronary stent makers. Report