Obamacare's Medical-Device Tax: Higher Prices, Lower R&D Oct 31, 2009
Implantable defibrillators are a 98-percent-effective treatment for ventricular arrhythmias that can cause Sudden Cardiac Death, an ailment that kills 233,000 individuals annually. ObamaCare s tax will make defibrillators and pacemakers pricier to acquire and also to refine over time. (Human Events Online)
Eisai and DNDi Enter Collaboration and License Agreement to Develop New Drug for Chagas Disease Sep 30, 2009
Often, patients will require a pace-maker, implantable defibrillators and in some cases need to undergo a heart transplant. Many patients, however, die suddenly, some without ever realizing that they had been infected. (JCN Network, Japan)
Implantable Defibrillators May Not Help Women with Heart Failure Sep 16, 2009
Analysis of previous research found little benefit for female patients. Monday, September 14, 2009. (MEDLINEplus)
Microsemi Announces Settlement of DOJ Suit Aug 21, 2009
The potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, such factors as continued negative or worsening worldwide economic conditions or market instability, downturns in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry, intense competition in the semiconductor industry and resultant downward price pressure, inability to develop new technologies and products to satisfy changes in customer demand or the development by the company's competitors of products that decrease the demand for... (Primezone Releases)
Medtronic Raises CEO Pay 26 Percent to $8.9M Jul 18, 2009
The company has lost share of its top-selling implantable defibrillators to rivals like Boston Scientific Corp., after a 2007 recall linked to cracked heart wires. The company announced in May it would cut up to 1,800 employees after its fiscal fourth-quarter plunged 69 percent on slipping sales and restructuring and other charges. (ABC News -- Wire)
Follow your passion when changing careers Jun 27, 2009
For a short time he worked for Teltron Technologies in Daytona Beach, but was lured away to California in 2002 by another start-up company, Cameron Health, looking to design, manufacture and sell implantable defibrillators. Stuck in the cubicle, Bertolet sent out 200 resumes for a customer service position with defibrillator companies. (Daytona Beach News Journal -- Business)
Boston Scientific names Elliott CEO as Tobin steps down Jun 26, 2009
While the company is best known for its heart devices, such as stents and implantable defibrillators, Elliott said Boston Scientific has the potential to expand in areas such as urology, gynecology, and neuromodulation, which regulates activity levels in the brain. Boston Scientific will be open to making small acquisitions, Elliott said, but there is significant technology in its own research and development labs. (Boston Globe)
Profit down, Medtronic to slash at least 1,500 jobs May 20, 2009
The company has lost share of its top-selling implantable defibrillators to rivals like Boston Scientific Corp., after a 2007 recall linked to cracked heart wiring. Medtronic Inc.. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
More docs needed who can remove heart wires May 14, 2009
First Medtronic recalled some of its implantable defibrillators that year because their batteries were draining without warning ... Since 2005 the U.S. market for implantable defibrillators has declined nearly 4 percent to about $4. (MSNBC -- Health)
Current Drug Can Treat Rare Heart Disorder Apr 13, 2009
Implantable defibrillators are used to prevent sudden death but these cause painful electric shocks that can trigger further stress-induced arrhythmias. "Current treatments are largely ineffective and we need new and more effective anti-arrhythmic drugs," Associate Professor Laver said. (Science Daily)
Impulse Dynamics Announces Pivotal Results at the American College of Cardiology Annual Meeting Late-Breaking Session Mar 30, 2009
Text hiding to spacing. Long-Term Data Demonstrate The OPTIMIZER(R) System to be Safe and Effective. (PR Newswire)
Scientific abstracts -- 2009 Annual Assembly, American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine Mar 28, 2009
Gain understanding in current hospice practices with regards to management of implantable defibrillators for patients near the end of life ... Identify core elements which should be included in formal policies relating to deactivation of implantable defibrillators. (EurekAlert!)
Defibrillators help sicker, older patients less Mar 17, 2009
CHICAGO - Implantable defibrillators, which protect against deadly heart rhythms, may offer little benefit for older people who have other serious health problems at the time of heart failure, U.S. researchers said on Monday ... Implantable defibrillators, which cost between $20,000 to $30,000 to implant, are recommended for people with heart failure to prevent sudden cardiac death, which occurs when the heart stops circulating blood ... She said people under 65 and older patients without kidney... (MSNBC -- Health)
Medtronic Jumps on Decent Earnings, Guidance Feb 18, 2009
The medical-devices giant has been under pressure on multiple fronts lately, with its top business - for implantable defibrillators - ceding share to rivals amid fallout from a 2007 product recall. Medtronic's big business for spinal products also has been challenged by an underperforming acquisition and a regulatory warning that hurt sales of a bone-growth product. (SmartMoney)
