Digital medicine coding keeps pace with innovation

As digital medicine continues to expand and take on a more prominent role in patient care, the CPT® code set continues to provide the coding infrastructure needed to successfully integrate new technology into clinical practice. 

By Jenny Querry • July 19, 2021

Medtech M&A expected to be robust in second half after 2021 began with a flurry

Even after deals already eclipsed last year's numbers, analysts predict robust activity in particular among diagnostics companies flush with cash from 2020's COVID-19 test sales.

By Ricky Zipp • July 18, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Medical device industry continues to turn to AI

While the industry continues to embrace artificial intelligence, there are still questions about how the new technologies need to be regulated and if they are effective.

By MedTech Dive staff

NuVasive's scoliosis system gets reinstated CE mark, new instructions for use

FDA said in a Friday safety communication that NuVasive has also lifted a shipping hold for MAGEC systems outside of the U.S. The company lifted a U.S. shipping hold in July.

By Nick Paul Taylor , Ricky Zipp • Updated Dec. 13, 2021

Dexcom wins FDA nod for real-time APIs, allowing third-party developers access to CGM data

Teladoc Health's Livongo and smartwatch maker Garmin are in the testing and development phase, Dexcom said. The clearance comes as FDA is working to address the devices backlog created by the pandemic.

By Ricky Zipp • July 16, 2021

Kiwa Cermet Italia becomes 21st notified body under MDR amid capacity concerns

It is the first new NB since May's date of application and the fourth organization to be designated this year. But, MedTech Europe has warned about limited certification capacity as thousands of certificates are set to expire before 2024.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 15, 2021

Transmedics wins premarket approval for OCS liver system, adding to recent FDA nods

The company was granted premarket approval for the OCS heart system and 510(k) clearance for the OCS lung solution. Transmedics' stock price was up over 6% following the Wednesday announcement.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated Sept. 29, 2021

Pacemaker implantation after aortic valve replacement linked to mortality risk

A large cohort study found pacemaker recipients had significantly higher rates of mortality and heart failure hospitalization. The authors said the risk is an important consideration for transcatheter procedures in younger patients.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 14, 2021

CMS again passes on national pricing for long-term cardiac monitoring, dramatically reduced rates remain

The Physician Fee Schedule proposal continues the seven-month pricing saga that has hung over the cardiac wearables sub-market. Companies like iRhythm now have few options left to get substantially reduced rates increased.

By Ricky Zipp • July 14, 2021

TransMedics stock halted in Nasdaq trading ahead of FDA advisory panel meeting

The company's stock price was down more than 5% at the close of trading on Tuesday. An FDA panel on Wednesday is evaluating data concerning the safety and effectiveness of TransMedics' device for preserving donor livers.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated July 14, 2021

Medtech pay to doctors plunged in 2020 as COVID-19 pummeled electives, in-person services fell

Zimmer Biomet had the biggest drop, cutting general payments nearly 80% to $63 million. Other notable decreases include Stryker, J&J's DePuy Synthes and Boston Scientific.

By Ricky Zipp • July 12, 2021

MDUFA talks expose 'fundamentally different' views of FDA and device companies

At the latest meeting over user fees, industry remained opposed to the agency's pitch for a Total Product Life Cycle Advisory Program, which it contends would extend the scope beyond FDA's purview. 

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 12, 2021

Medical devices in South Korea – compliance with UDI requirements for IMDIS

Health authorities around the globe, including South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), have implemented Unique Device Identifier (UDI) database systems for submitting regulatory-mandated medical device product data. 

July 12, 2021

Abbott's Alere settles with DOJ for $38.75M over defective coagulation test allegations

The Justice Department accused Alere of concealing the defect for years despite knowing the tests were linked to over a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries. Abbott noted the product was discontinued and never sold by the company.

By Nick Paul Taylor • Updated July 13, 2021

FDA flags biocompatibility concerns linked to NuVasive's Precice devices

The agency is recommending physicians stop implanting new stainless steel devices. NuVasive voluntarily removed the products from the U.S. market in February.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 9, 2021

Stryker inks $15M settlement to resolve Conformis patent dispute

The pact comes around 14 months after Zimmer Biomet agreed to pay the relatively small orthopaedic player $9.6 million to close a similar dispute. Conformis sued J&J's DePuy Synthes in April.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 8, 2021

EU experts challenge notified body in first opinion on clinical evidence under MDR

The independent panel wants to see an extended study with at least another four months of data on the Class III implantable xenogeneic bone graft. This is the first real-world look at the scrutiny process mandated by the new rules.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 7, 2021

FDA finalizes guidance on form, content of unique device identifiers

The final text responds to, but in some cases holds firm against, concerns raised by groups including AdvaMed about the 2016 draft and also adds a new section on standalone software.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 7, 2021

As EU-wide health technology oversight law nears passage, industry is not pleased

If passed, the legislation mandates European Union clinical assessments of certain medical devices to inform national-level pricing and reimbursement decisions.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 6, 2021

Medtronic's recall of unsterilized angiography guidewires labeled Class I event by FDA

The action comes a month after a series of recalls led the device maker to pull its HeartWare HVAD pump from the market and four months after it told doctors to stop using its Valiant Navion thoracic stent graft system.

By Susan Kelly • July 6, 2021

Dexcom CEO on the Type 2 population, the Super Bowl ad and pandemic momentum

Kevin Sayer called Type 2 a "tremendous market opportunity" and said direct-to-consumer advertising is worth some controversy.

By Ricky Zipp • July 6, 2021

Neuromodulation and cancer devices feature in latest batch of FDA breakthrough nods

Neuroelectrics, Neuros Medical and Onward are among those that secured the regulatory privilege, which speeds the review process for unmet medical needs.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 2, 2021

Biden admin unveils new ESRD payment model in health equity push

Tweaks to the end-stage renal disease model alter scoring methodology to incentivize dialysis providers to lower disparities in home dialysis and kidney transplant rates among patients from disadvantaged communities.

By Rebecca Pifer • July 2, 2021

PMA apps could hit record in 2021, pressuring a pandemic-stressed FDA

Despite increased workloads from the coronavirus crisis, the agency is also on track to issue record numbers of safety warnings and letters to healthcare providers in 2021, according to a Wells Fargo analysis.

By Nick Paul Taylor • July 2, 2021

Supreme Court redefines limits on patent attacks by inventors in Hologic decision

The High Court upheld the doctrine that stops inventors challenging their own patents but placed limits on its use.

By Nick Paul Taylor • June 30, 2021

FDA wants to require timely updates, patches for legacy devices: cyber chief

Kevin Fu, acting director of device cybersecurity, spelled out the agency's plans to protect aging devices from hackers. There's no current statutory requirement compelling manufacturers to address the problem.

By Greg Slabodkin • June 30, 2021