Researchers at the University of Akron have revealed the evolutionary strength of spider web glue. Published in the May 17, 2010, issue of Nature Communications, the research revealed that the effectiveness and strength of the spider web glue ensues from the highly entangled, cross-linked polymers in each droplet of the glue, which enables the adhesive [...]
Diverse technologies have a surprising number of common threads, whether in the technologies themselves or in the clinical applications. For this reason, manufacturers need to consider that: 1. A technology platform can be the launchpad for products in clinically diverse areas. Case in point, cell therapy, which as a fundamental scientific discipline can have uses [...]
The FDA is moving at two speeds in the medical device approval process. On the one hand, the agency is taking a critical look at the 510(k), expedited approval process, which has come under fire for being too lenient. The process will certainly see some change, given the pressure ensuing from high profile device failures [...]
FDA Approves For Permanent Treatment Of Advanced Heart Failure Assist Device Pioneered By Texas Heart Institute At St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. See Link Although designed as a bridge-to-transplant device, the HeartMate II has proven itself sufficiently in trials to warrant its approval as a permanent device. Designed by the Texas Heart Institute, the continuous flow left [...]
The number of companies with approved products and measurable revenues in the field of cell therapy and tissue engineering has exceeded the expectation of many (though not all) in the industry. Markets such as cell/tissue are often characterized by overestimated evaluations of commercial potential and underestimated consideration of the actual challenges. Indeed many technology challenges [...]
With the FDA's approval of Medtronic's Melody Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve and Ensemble Delivery System (see link), another step has been made toward eliminating traditional surgery — at least that's the idea. The ability to implant a valve via a percutaneous procedure advances the art of less invasive intervention in ways akin to laparoscopic surgery, albeit at [...]
As an exercise, I found it worthwhile to map out the various options available or under development for the treatment of coronary artery disease. We assess the emphasis of current, near-term and future possible options for treatment in the color-coded scheme: Bold, black: Current, dominant treatment options Green: Near term options with potential to gain [...]
The areas of greatest opportunity in medtech are those which have already demonstrated they have plenty of upside, even if a robust number of competitors have already begun targeting them. Areas of the strongest market growth in medical technologies that we are seeing have emerged out of the major segments we have tracked in recent [...]
The development of less invasive surgical procedures continues to move toward procedures that may be "incisionless" or only require small perforations to accommodate surgical tools. Principal among approaches that are under evaluation are NOTES procedures — Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery — in which access is provided endoscopically via the mouth or vagina. NOTES has [...]
Medical technology startup companies that we identified during the month of October 2009 are developing the following specific technologies: Diagnostic imaging in urology and oncology. Endoscopic tissue management technology. Esophageal monitoring device to replace peripheral artery catheter. Products for treatment of fecal incontinence and GERD. Surgical instrumentation to reduce trauma of surgery. Suction device for [...]
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