Digital Technologies

Boston Scientific Raises Outlook … Again: Headwinds Offset By EP And Watchman

 

Agent drug coated balloon, Watchman product sales, and electrophysiology (EP) business unit growth offset Acurate discontinuation and tariff headwinds. CEO Michael Mahoney shouted out coronary therapies business and answered questions on CMS proposed Ambulatory Surgical Center codes.

FDA ‘Regulatory Accelerator’ Aims To Speed Digital Health Development

 
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The US FDA has launched the Regulatory Accelerator to expedite digital health product development. This includes resources like a Resource Index for Innovators, a Medical Device Software Guidance Navigator, and best practices for early meetings.

ForSight Sets Its Sights On Automating Delicate Eye Procedures

 
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ForSight Robotics is developing a robotic platform to automate cataract and other eye surgeries, aiming to ease surgeon strain and expand access. Backed by $200m in total funding, it's targeting a first human surgery using Oryom by year-end and is in discussions with US FDA.

Rising Oncology Start-ups Recognized For Breakthrough Cancer Research

 

The Cancer Research Horizons Innovation Awards took place on July 10. Medtech Insight spoke to nominees for the women’s entrepreneur of the year award: Mireia Crispin-Ortuzar, CEO of 52 North Health; Anita Grigoriadis, CEO of PharosAI; and Maria Giovanna Lizio, Founder of WILD-Imaging Technology.


HeartFlow Takes Another Crack At Public Markets With $100M IPO Filing

 
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AI heart imaging company HeartFlow filed for a $100m IPO after scrapping its 2022 SPAC plans. It remains unprofitable but is betting on FDA clearances, Medicare coverage and a demand for AI-powered diagnostics to win over investors.

Abbott Lowers Outlook But Headwinds Are Temporary

 

Despite headwinds, executives remain optimistic about growth in Abbott’s medical devices and diabetes divisions and plan several product rollouts, including the Volt PFA catheter for electrophysiology and the dual glucose-ketone sensor CGM.

Numerous Injuries Prompt Class I Recall Of Dexcom CGM Receivers

 

Dexcom has recalled several models of its glucose monitoring receivers due to a speaker glitch that may suppress vital blood sugar alerts. The FDA designated the recall, which affects thousands of devices, as class I.

‘Eyes – A Window Into The Heart’: Retinal AI Tool Predicts Future Risk Of Heart Attack And Stroke

 

A deep-learning AI-based retinal image scanning tool can predict the risk of cardiovascular events over a 10-year period with 70% accuracy. The test is comparable to routine GP health checks, researchers from the University of Dundee have shown.


Digital Health Roundup: Autonomous Robots, Medtronic’s Surgeon School, Sleep & FDA Rules

In this week's Digital Health Roundup, Medtech Insight's team discusses progress on autonomous surgery, Medtronic's new partnership with IRCAD, FDA cybersecurity news, and C-suite interviews with OpenWater, Flow Neuroscience and EnsoData.

Whoops! FDA Says Company Marketed Unauthorized Device. The Company Says The FDA Is Wrong

 

A recent FDA warning letter claims a Boston firm that specializes in wearable technology marketed a blood pressure device without agency approval. The company rejects the assertion and says the agency is out of step with federal law.

PFA Market Surges As UK NICE Opens Doors And US FDA Approves Boston, J&J Incremental Innovations

 

The pulsed-field ablation market is surging, with the UK NHS opening doors and FDA updates for major players. Medtech Insight spoke with Steven Mickelsen, founder of Farapulse (the first clinically approved PFA system), about the sector's growth and his new venture, Field Medical.

Medtech Will Benefit From Boost To EU’s Quantum Technology Initiative

 

The European Commission is focusing on how tiny particles behave to help create an EU industrial “powerhouse.”


Bivacor Rotary Heart Could Upend The Artificial Heart Market, If It Reaches Its Destination

 
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Bivacor aims to be first to the US market with a permanent total artificial heart, starting with use as a bridge to transplant. CMO William Cohn says data from countries with low transplant rates could support pivotal trials and long-term use.

Burden Is Too Heavy For Medtechs To Go It Alone On Complex Medtech AI Projects

 

Medtech companies require expertise to navigate complex AI regulations and integrate AI in medical software while addressing regulatory challenges, claims expert AI consultant with medtech experience.

Ochsner Surgeon In ‘The Big Easy’ Eases Patient’s Pain With Skill And Virtual Reality

 

A surgeon at Ochsner Health in New Orleans was able to successfully remove a rare and dangerous tumor from a patient’s spine using cutting-edge technology that would have otherwise made the procedure too risky.

HealthAI: ‘Established Regulations Already Exist For Regulating AI In Healthcare Safely’

 

Paul Campbell, chief regulatory officer at HealthAI, emphasizes existing regulations for AI in healthcare should not be overlooked as new regulations are developed.


From Imitation To Action: Johns Hopkins Robot Autonomously Performs Key Step In Gallbladder Surgery

 
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Researchers at Johns Hopkins have used a robotic system to autonomously perform a key part of gallbladder surgery without a surgeon's hand. Lead author Axel Krieger says it could take five to 10 years before an autonomous robotic system will reach human trials and expects regulatory hurdles.

Kris Joshi Named Norstella CEO, Prioritizes AI Innovation

 
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Joshi joins the parent company of Citeline, home of Medtech Insight, to focus on AI, business harmonization and long-term growth.

Thena Capital’s New Fund Up And Running With £1M Investment In Plexāā’s Breast Cancer Device

 

Thena Capital, the first UK-based early-stage specialist medtech firm, has made its first investment since closing its £50m fund. Medtech Insight spoke with general partner Pamela Walker Geddes to gain insight into Thena Capital’s investment strategy.

Milner Pitch Day: Multiomic Pathology, Microcancer Avatars And Cell Morphology Intelligence

 

The Milner Institute, the on-campus hub for start-up acceleration at Cambridge University, hosted its annual Pitch Day on July 1. Start-ups Panakeia, PathwayBio and Sentinal4D presented diagnostic technologies.