The latest in Medical Technology

Group warns of severe shortage of medical isotopes

2010-03-18T15:00:53Z

<div><p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. imaging experts warned of significant disruptions in the supply of a medical isotope used in scores of diagnostic tests in the coming weeks as a key nuclear reactor goes out of service for extended repairs.</p><p>The Society of Nuclear Imaging sai...

Some clinical trials exclude gays and lesbians: study

2010-03-17T17:15:41Z

<div><p>Some clinical trials financed by the US federal government and pharmaceutical labs exclude gay and lesbian participants, according to a study published Wednesday.</p><p>"Most gay and lesbian patients are probably unaware that their sexual orientation is being used as a screening factor for clinical trial participation," said lead author Brian Egleston of CHICAGO (Reuters) - Boston Scientific Corp. <BSX.N> could be selling implantable heart rhythm devices again within 30 days if no new issues arise beyond the paperwork problems revealed this week.</p><p>"Our number one conclusion is ... that Puerto Rico veterans clinics</div><div><p>Federal inspectors found medical equipment not properly cleaned or inspected at some of the clinics for veterans in Puerto Rico, a U.S. government report said Tuesday.</p><p>Senior staff knew about the problem but did nothing to assess the risk to patients, added the report by the inspe...

FDA critiques Medtronic's MRI-compatible pacemaker

2010-03-16T13:34:24Z

<div><p>The Food and Drug Administration voiced several complaints Tuesday with Medtronic's study of a new pacemaker that can be used in an MRI machine.</p><p>Patients with pacemakers are generally discouraged from having MRI scans because the radio waves could interfere with the functioning of their device.</p><p>...

FDA questions new use for Boston Science device

2010-03-16T11:46:01Z

<div><p>The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday a heart device from Boston Scientific appears effective for a new group of patients, though questions remain about the accuracy of the company's study of the device.</p><p>Boston Scientific has asked the FDA to approve its heart rhythm device t...

Boston Scientific suspends defibrillator sales

2010-03-15T16:30:12Z

<div><p>Medical device maker Boston Scientific said Monday it is suspending sales of its heart-shocking defibrillator implants after failing to alert regulators to changes in manufacturing of the best-selling devices.</p><p>The company said it uncovered two production changes that were not cleared with the CHICAGO (Reuters) - Boston Scientific Corp suspended sales of its implantable heart defibrillators on Monday after failing to notify regulators of changes in how it manufactures the devices, sending shares down as much as 19 percent to a one-year low.</p><p>Boston S...

Boston Scientific Suspension

2010-03-15T10:00:59Z

In this undated product image provided by Boston Scientific, a "Cognis" heart defibrillator implant is shown. The medical device maker on Monday, March 15, 2010 said it is suspending sales of its heart-shocking defibrillator implants after uncovering a documentation error with the manufacture of the top-selling devices. (AP Photo/Boston Scientific)

Copyright 2010 BioSante pancreatic cancer treatment 'orphan drug' designation</div><div><p>BioSante Pharmaceuticals has received orphan drug status for its potential pancreatic cancer treatment, the company said Monday.</p><p>The company said the Food and Drug Administration<...

U.S., Canadian health officials OK Polish isotopes

2010-03-11T10:00:58Z

<div><p>CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. and Canadian health officials have approved the use of the medical isotopes created at a Polish nuclear reactor, a move that will help ease a shortage of the materials used in millions of diagnostic tests, health products provider Covidien said Thursday.</p><p>The company ...

Music class may benefit kids with cochlear implants

2010-03-10T11:17:04Z

<div><p>NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Music class may help improve certain types of sound perception in deaf children who have cochlear implants, a new study hints.</p><p>Cochlear implants are small electronic devices that can give a sense of sound to people who are deaf or severely hard-of-hearing, helping them to understand speech and other sounds in their environment. The implants work by bypassing the dam...

FDA panel sees user errors with insulin pumps

2010-03-05T14:17:49Z

<div><p>GAITHERSBURG, Maryland (Reuters) - Diabetics who wear insulin pumps appear more likely to experience problems from improper use than a device defect, members of a U.S. government advisory panel said on Friday.</p><p>The American Medical Association's e-health record plan</div><div><p>Dell Inc. hopes to expand a key part of its business through a deal to sell computer hardware and technology consulting to medical practices that want to use new electronic medical records and related services fro...

Robotic Surgery Simulator

2010-02-25T19:03:37Z

Dr. Govind Srimathveeravalli, not shown, demonstrates a simulated bladder with underlying mass procedure using the Robotic Surgical Simulator at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010. Inventors of a new robotic surgical simulat...

NY-made robotic surgery simulator rolled out

2010-02-25T18:31:03Z

<div id="subtitle">NY-made robotic surgery simulator going commercial at about $100K per machine</div><div><p>One of the first things Mike Ameroso asked while contemplating robotic surgery for his prostate cancer was how many surgeries his doctors had done with the robot.</p><p>He liked the idea of the robot's smaller incision and steady miniature "hands" and the promise of less pain and a quick recovery ...

Radiation Scans Safety

2010-02-25T13:01:57Z

FILE - In this June 15, 2007 file photo, Michael Gomez, a nuclear medicine technologist, talks to a patient before a positron emission tomography cat scan, or PET-CT, at River Radiology in Kingston, N.Y. A medical imaging trade group said Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, that manufacturers of CT scanners will begin installing safety controls to prevent patients from receiving e...

Osiris says stem cell therapy meets study goals

2010-02-24T14:00:20Z

<div id="subtitle">Osiris says Prochymal met goals as treatment for children with graft vs. host disease</div><div><p>Osiris Therapeutics Inc. said Wednesday its stem cell therapy Prochymal met study goals as a treatment for graft vs. host disease in children.</p><p>Osiris said most of the patients responded to Prochymal, and the drug significantly improved survival. The study test...

India's $40 limb puts amputees back on their feet

2010-02-23T20:00:14Z

<div><p>NEW DELHI (Reuters Life!) - When Bhoopnarayan Jha lost his leg in an accident, the government employee also lost his will to live, until he got a "Jaipur Foot."</p><p>Made from locally available and cheap materials, the rapid-fit, prosthetic limb is handed over for free to victims of road and rail accidents...

Cheney hospitalized after experiencing chest pains

2010-02-23T11:00:53Z

<div><p>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Vice President Dick Cheney was hospitalized on Monday after experiencing chest pains, and his office said he was resting comfortably while doctors evaluated the situation.</p><p>Cheney, 69, who served as vice president from 2001 to 2009 under President George W....