> A new test shows promise for detecting the early stages of a major cause of failure in joint replacement implants so that patients can be treated and perhaps avoid additional surgery. Story
> Xlumena has closed a $7 million Series B venture financing round. The round was led by new investor, Aperture Venture Partners and joined by Western Technology Investment. In conjunction with the financing, Eric Sillman of Aperture Venture Partners and Avi Kometz, MD of Ascent Biomedical Ventures will join Xlumena's Board of Directors. Xlumena release
> Fitch Ratings placed Johnson & Johnson's highly coveted AAA credit rating on watch for downgrade following the company's $21.3 billion offer for Synthes, citing leverage risks. Item
> Plans for an innovative surgical device could be the first thing to come out of a new, 63,000-square-foot research and development center going up at Covidien's campus in the Gunbarrel neighborhood of Boulder, CO. News
> GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt has resigned from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's board of directors, citing "increased demands" on his time. Story
> Roughly 5,000 Apple iPads being used within Medtronic have kept the IT organization at the world's largest medical device company pretty busy developing apps. Report
> Smith & Nephew has been limping badly since news of Johnson & Johnson's move for Synthes, but City gossip-mongers were keen to talk up speculation of interest from other potential rivals. Item
And Finally... Video games controlled by the player's breath can encourage youths with cystic fibrosis to use techniques that can help keep their airways clearer, according to a study data presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting in Denver. Release