Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) made waves this month when it recalled and retired its Lotus TAVR product line. Subsequent layoffs, first in Minnesota, then in Ireland, highlighted the impact of the decision to pull Lotus from the highly competitive market as a result of complexities related to the product delivery system and solely that — as the … [Read more...] about Boston Scientific CEO Mike Mahoney talks Lotus decision, post-COVID outlook
Research & Development
CeloNova touts nano-coated stent trial results
CeloNova recently announced positive interim results from its randomized trial of Cobra PzF stenting to reduce the duration of triple therapy. The randomized, global 14-day dual anti-platelet therapy study of high bleeding risk (HBR) patients enrolled 996 HBR participants across 59 enrolling global sites. Each patient received either the Cobra … [Read more...] about CeloNova touts nano-coated stent trial results
Philips touts post-stent imaging study results
Royal Philips (NYSE:PHG) announced today that one-year results of its Define PCI study that reported improved outcomes and less recurrent angina. The Define PCI study assessed the level of residual ischemia found in patients following a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using a blinded instant wave-free ratio (iFR) pullback measurement, … [Read more...] about Philips touts post-stent imaging study results
How fish physiology is enabling Boston Scientific to help atrial fibrillation patients
Company researchers developed cardiac ablation technology that mimics the navigation system of electric fish. Scientists have studied electric fish for decades to determine how and why they discharge electricity. Recently, a couple of biomedical engineers at Boston Scientific realized that the way these fish use their electrical impulses … [Read more...] about How fish physiology is enabling Boston Scientific to help atrial fibrillation patients
Passing the test with vascular stents
Pulsatile durability testing is a time-consuming part of the vascular stent approval process. Accelerated test designs can deliver a high throughput when every specimen counts. Pete Bailey, Instron There are many quality controls applied to the design and release of coronary and other vascular stent devices, but a proof test of pulsatile … [Read more...] about Passing the test with vascular stents
These startups are advancing catheter-related medtech
Catheter-related medtech remains an exciting and innovative field — if our sister site Medical Design & Outsourcing's latest list of startups to know is any indication. For example, Neurescue (Copenhagen) touts its aortic occlusion catheter as the first of its type with computer-aided, intelligent safety feedback — and pressure-limited … [Read more...] about These startups are advancing catheter-related medtech
MIT researchers may have invented a safer way of splitting ventilators
MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers say they have a way of splitting ventilators which could address many of the safety concerns — potentially boosting the supply of ventilators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They have demonstrated their concept’s effectiveness in the lab — but they still caution it should be used only as a last resort … [Read more...] about MIT researchers may have invented a safer way of splitting ventilators
How to weave human tissue into new blood vessels
Researchers at the University of Bordeaux in France have engineered human tissue to be woven into blood vessels and treat diseased or damaged blood vessels. Synthetic blood vessel grafts are typically made of woven synthetic polymer yarn and used to replace diseased arteries. However, the body's immune system sometimes recognizes the material as … [Read more...] about How to weave human tissue into new blood vessels
Could these DIY ventilators stop coronavirus from killing people?
Amid the global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals and healthcare facilities are reporting shortages of vital equipment that not only keeps the patients safe, but the staffers, too. One important device for which demand has ramped up is ventilators for patients who need assistance with their breathing due to the respiratory … [Read more...] about Could these DIY ventilators stop coronavirus from killing people?
How glass tubing supports Mayo Clinic innovation
At the Mayo Clinic Glass Shop, scientific glassblowing creates glass tubing and apparatuses for cardiac, transplantation and tissue perfusion research — and more recently, to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Anderson is one of only two scientific glassblowers in Minnesota. As a senior scientific glassblower at Mayo Clinic, he has … [Read more...] about How glass tubing supports Mayo Clinic innovation