US FDA announced the approval of the first direct-to-consumer mobile medical app that can prevent pregnancy via fertility awareness tracking. The app, Natural Cycles, has been criticized in Europe after some users experienced unplanned pregnancies. On the same day, the agency approved the first contraceptive vaginal ring that can be reused for an entire year.
US FDA announced the approval of two new forms of birth control on Aug. 10, including the first mobile medical app to be cleared for that purpose in the US.
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The US FDA’s Office of Women’s Health provides a research roadmap to address health concerns specific to women. The FDA recently updated the roadmap, outlining areas in which further research is needed.
This week, Establishment Labs Holdings announced the FDA gave it premarket approval for Motiva breast implant, Cologuard lands FDA approval for Cologuard Plus and GE HealthCare gets FDA nod for a new imaging agent. The FDA announces another expansion for TAP into ophthalmology and radiology. The AAMI and CTA will join forces to develop standards for AI and ML-enabled health care products.
This week, Neuralink announced it received US FDA breakthrough device designation for a device to restore sight; medtechs Discure and DeepLook secured new funding; FDA pump recalls from B. Braun Medical and Fresenius Kabi; Axonics prevails in patent infringement lawsuit with Medtronic; Merit Medical buys Cook Medical for $210m.
The US agency said on 10 September that it plans to study whether heavy metals detected in tampons could endanger their users.
Medtronic says results from a recent study on the Hugo robotic-assisted surgery system substantiate its safety and effectiveness for various urological procedures. The company also announced it has submitted the system to the FDA for approval for a urological indication.
While Roche continues to view China as a strategic growth market, a sharp 23% decline in Chinese diagnostics sales offset gains in other regions and segments. Despite near-term headwinds, Roche is betting on strong instrument placement growth across its Core Lab, Molecular, and Near Patient Care segments to fuel future demand for consumables and services–key components of its long-term medtech strategy.
The Oncodetect test is tumor-informed, tracking up to 200 circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) variants. It delivers simple “detected” or “not detected” results alongside quantitative data to guide adjuvant therapy decisions, monitor treatment response, and detects up to 200 ctDNA variants identifying signs of colorectal cancer recurrence up to two years earlier than imaging.
