Special Report: Pharma's Biggest Flops. Report
Special Report: Top 10 Medical Device Companies: 2010. Report
> Sonova Holding AG announced plans to recall hearing-aid implants made by its U.S. unit Advanced Bionics, a move that will hit sales and dent profits. Sonova said it has notified the FDA it will recall its HiRes 90K cochlear-implant device after two patients suffered from severe pain and overly loud sounds about eight to 10 days after the activation of the device. The news triggered a sharp drop in Sonova's share price. News
> B. Braun Melsungen AG, a German maker of health-care products, lost a lawsuit with Japan's Terumo when a jury decided that a 2007 patent Terumo infringed isn't valid, court documents show. The verdict came in federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, after a week-long trial over the Braun invention for a catheter device with a safety clip to prevent accidental sticks on medical workers, according to court papers. Article
> Hologic has received an approvable letter from the FDA for the Selenia Dimensions three-dimensional digital mammography tomosynthesis system. Final approval of the company's pre-market approval application for the system remains subject to satisfactory review and inspection of our manufacturing facility, methods and controls. The company plans to work closely with the FDA to complete this final inspection. Hologic release
> Tel Aviv University scientists are exploring "bio-ferrography" to diagnose diseases in their early stages, determine the efficacy of drugs, and ascertain the condition of orthopedic implants. Item
> Smith & Nephew, Europe's biggest maker of shoulder and knee implants, lost part of its U.K. appeal of a ruling that it infringed Kinetic Concepts patents for severe-wound treatments. Story
> When Scott Brown arrived in Washington early this year, one of the first things the freshman senator tried to do was to block a new tax on medical device companies. As a newcomer in the minority party, it wasn't surprising that the GOP hero didn't succeed. But Brown hasn't given up. In a speech to the Massachusetts Medical Device Industry Council last month, Brown vowed to tackle the tax next year. On Friday, Brown reiterated that goal as he spoke to Associated Industries of Massachusetts about his plans for 2011. Article
> Lumenis and Alma Lasers have settled all patent claims and counterclaims in a litigation between Lumenis and its subsidiary, Lumenis Inc. and Alma and its subsidiary, Alma Lasers Inc. that were pending in the United States District Court in Chicago, Illinois. Lumenis release
> Seventy-five patients at St. Clair Hospital in Mt. Lebanon were notified this week they underwent an endoscopy with equipment that was not properly disinfected, hospital officials said Tuesday. News
> Medtronic has announced the global launch and first clinical use of the Tri-Ad Semi-Flexible Tricuspid Annuloplasty Ring for the treatment of tricuspid valve disease. It also received FDA clearance and the global launch of the Multi-Lead Trialing Cable for use in the patient screening test for Medtronic spinal cord stimulation therapy. Medtronic release | Release
> Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell last week announced that Merit Medical Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable medical devices, will invest $1 million to expand its operations in Chesterfield County. The project will create 75 new jobs. Gov. McDonnell's release
And Finally... Because children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to radiation, doctors mounted a campaign to reduce diagnostic radiation to only those levels seen as absolutely necessary. Still, many dentists continue to use outmoded X-ray film requiring higher amounts of radiation, and orthodontists and other specialists are embracing a new scanning device that emits significantly more radiation than conventional methods, an examination by The New York Times has found. Report