> Medtronic is using microelectronics and chip manufacturing to shrink pacemakers-implanted devices that regulate the heart's rhythm. Whereas current pacemakers are about as big as a silver dollar, Medtronic's device would be smaller than a tic tac. At that size, the device would be small enough to be inserted via catheter, rather than invasive surgery. Report
> Johnson & Johnson's Cordis unit is facing a potential U.S. supply disruption for its Cypher heart stents because Abbott Laboratories will soon stop supplying catheters most commonly used to install the tiny devices, Cordis confirmed Thursday. Item
> OrbusNeich today announced that the next-generation Sapphire II coronary dilatation catheter is now commercially available, following CE Mark approval. OrbusNeich release
> The medical technology supply industry in Ireland has warned that the Health Service Executive's demands for price cuts of up to 30 percent are putting hundreds of jobs at risk. News
> Reva Medical, which is developing a novel bioresorbable slide and lock drug-eluting coronary stent, called ReZolve, is pleased to announce that Jeffrey Anderson has joined the company's executive team as VP of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs. Reva release
> PerkinElmer has taken the unusual step of filing a document with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission saying that the company is not for sale. Story
And Finally... Xenith has raised $10.5 million for its high-tech football helmet, designed to prevent concussions, the Lowell company reports in a regulatory filing this morning. The funds, which come from 61 equity investors, are apparently the result of a fundraising effort announced in June, fronted by NFL hall-of-fame quarterback Warren Moon. Story