> A former Medtronic executive says he was forced into early retirement to make way for a younger replacement, according to a recently filed age-discrimination lawsuit. Story
> A British court rules that Smith & Nephew infringed negative-pressure wound therapy patents held by Kinetic Concepts in the long-running war between the companies over NPWT technology. Story
> Medical device developers based in Massachusetts and Connecticut reeled in more than $3.2 million in May and June, according to regulatory filings. Report
> Masimo has received FDA 510(k) clearance for the Pronto-7--a new handheld device designed for quick and easy noninvasive hemoglobin spot-check testing, along with SpO2, pulse rate and perfusion index, in virtually any environment. Release
> Abbott has received 510(k) clearance to market a new, sensitive molecular diagnostic test and instrument to simultaneously detect two of the nation's most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases, gonorrhea and chlamydia, including a new variant strain of chlamydia recently discovered in Sweden. Release
> The Food & Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health launches the "CDRH Learn" website for training on the medical device regulatory process. Report
> Varian X-Ray Products, a business unit of Varian Medical Systems (NYSE: VAR), has just launched a local language website making it easier for customers in China to access Varian X-Ray product information. Release
> A picture emerged yesterday of accused Russian agent Donald Heathfield of Cambridge as someone who may have had access to high-level scientists and officials, involved in groups pursuing sometimes bizarre "futurist" technology. In his Lifeboat bio, Heathfield claims to have done work for top scientific companies, including medical research firm Boston Scientific and international software firms. A Boston Scientific spokesman declined comment. Report
And Finally... Oscar the cat may have lost one of his nine lives, but his new prosthetic paws make him the world's first bionic cat. After losing his two rear paws in a nasty encounter with a combine harvester last October, the black cat with green eyes was outfitted with metallic pegs that link the ankle to the foot and mimic the way deer antlers grow through skin. Oscar is now back on his feet and hopping over hurdles like tissue paper rolls. News