Medical Device

CE marking for its Accu-Chek Smartguide continuous glucose monitor means Roche is on the cusp of challenging existing major players in Europe with a device whose predictive algorithms can help sufferers plan and prepare longer into the future.

A new UK medtech survey sets out industry’s market access and regulatory concerns and makes clear where system users see the need for improvement. There are some grounds for optimism, but the MHRA’s planned rise in regulatory fees could undo some of the good work.

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, J&J announced that it was buying heart failure device firm V-Wave; Procept got the FDA’s OK on a clinical trial of its Aquablation treatment for prostate cancer; and CMS began to consider Medicare reimbursement of Abbott’s TriClip tricuspid repair device.

The US FDA has released its annual list of planned guidance documents for the upcoming fiscal year. While many topics on the list are familiar, a new “Under Construction” list shows rising priorities.

The College of American Pathologists wants a US district court to scrap the FDA’s final rule that unilaterally assumes oversight of lab-developed tests, but not because the college feels the agency has no business regulating them. Helena Duncan, senior director of quality at CAP, explained the college’s position to Medtech Insight.

Tricuspid valve innovation has taken off since the US FDA’s 2023 authorizations of Edwards' Evoque and Abbott's TriClip systems. Whether to repair or replace tricuspid valves remains an open, nuanced question among cardiologists. Dr. Henrik Treede of University Hospital Mainz and TriCares CEO Ahmed Elmouelhi offer views on the evolving space.

The European Parliament intends to send an official message to the European Commission to try and push for an early revision of the Medical Device Regulation.

FDA grants de novo authorization to Healgen Rapid Check COVID-19/Flu A&B Antigen Test, making it the first OTC flu test to be cleared outside the emergency use pathway.

Manufacturers looking to change their device sterilization method as part of the move away from ethylene oxide (EtO) may be able to make use of the Predetermined Change Control Plan (PCCP) process, FDA officials said in a webinar this week.