MedTech News Briefs | December 11th, 2023

Monday December 4th

Scientists at Tokyo Tech have developed self-folding polymers containing gadolinium, forming nanosized complexes that could improve magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and drug delivery. The nanosized complexes, known as nano-contrast agents (NCAs), were developed with an innovative molecular design, allowing for enhanced accumulation in tumors, quick blood clearance, and improved MRI performance without toxic effects, according to a study published in Advanced Science.
Bioliberty, a medical robotics start-up based in Edinburgh, has secured a £435,000 project from the Biomedical Catalyst, Innovate UK’s flagship grant funding mechanism. The funding will be used to further develop its robotic glove, the Ironhand, designed to assist and enhance the strength of the human hand, particularly for patients recovering from stroke.
A study published in Nature showed promising results for treating chronic brain injuries with implanted electrodes. Led by Dr. Nicholas Schiff, the study involved five participants with moderate to severe brain injuries who received electrode implants in the brain, and with stimulation from these electrodes, they experienced improvements in cognitive performance, potentially marking the first effective therapy for chronic brain injuries.

Tuesday December 5th

ABK Biomedical’s Eye90 microspheres device has received FDA breakthrough device designation for the treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The breakthrough designation is expected to facilitate the development and regulatory approval process for the device, which is currently being evaluated in the Route90 pivotal trial.
West Pharmaceutical Services has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its Vial2Bag Advanced 13mm admixture device, designed for adolescent and adult patients. The device complements the company’s existing Vial2Bag Advanced 20mm admixture device and is intended for use with a prescription, serving as a connection between an IV bag, a vial with a 13mm closure, and an external IV administration set for reconstitution and admixing of drugs before administration to the patient.
Intuitive Ventures, the financing arm of Intuitive Surgical, has closed its second fund at $150 million, aimed at supporting startups involved in minimally invasive care. The fund will focus on emerging companies re-imagining minimally invasive care in areas such as diagnostics, medtech, therapeutics, and digital health.

Wednesday December 6th

Kandu Health, a digital post-acute stroke treatment platform developed by Imperative Care, presented positive data at two conferences. Preliminary outcomes from the first graduates of its remote post-acute service demonstrated improved readmission rates, and the company also presented feasibility data on its navigation platform.
CFOs at U.S. hospitals are expected to increase capital spending on medical equipment by 9% in 2024, a slowdown from the 13% growth forecast for 2023, according to a survey by Evercore ISI. Spending on endoscopic cameras, operating room equipment, and procedural tools is expected to receive the biggest increase, reflecting the need to add capacity for elective procedures delayed by COVID-19.
Medtronic has terminated its $738 million agreement to acquire South Korean insulin patch pump maker EOFlow. The termination was based on “multiple breaches,” according to a Form 8K filed with the SEC, and Medtronic believes no termination fee is payable under the agreement.

Thursday December 7th

Researchers at ETH Zurich, the University of Zurich, and the University Hospital Zurich have successfully guided microvehicles through the blood vessels in the brain of a mouse using ultrasound. The microvehicles, made of gas-filled microbubbles coated in lipids, can be guided through blood vessels, and their use of ultrasound offers advantages over other navigation technologies like magnetic fields.
Flexxbotics, a provider of workcell digitalization for robot-driven manufacturing, has announced that SpiTrex Orthopedics has selected its solution for robot-driven manufacturing with autonomous process control in its FOBA laser marking machine workcells. Flexxbotics enables robots to communicate directly with the FOBA laser marking system, reducing changeover time and facilitating autonomous sorting based on automated inspection results, improving overall efficiency.
Lifespin has introduced its Therapeutic Drug Monitoring software for anti-infectives, allowing laboratories to use the algorithm to measure antibiotics in patients’ blood. The software uses nuclear magnetic resonance to test for commonly used antibiotics, aiding in more personalized and effective treatment approaches for conditions like sepsis and respiratory tract infections.

Friday December 8th

Medtronic has received CE Mark approval for its Percept RC deep brain stimulation (DBS) system, the smallest DBS device on the market. The device, approved for use in Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, primary dystonia, and epilepsy, features BrainSense technology for tracking patient brain signals and correlating them with patient-recorded events to tailor therapy to evolving patient needs.
BD and Babson Diagnostics have received FDA 510(k) clearance for their BD MiniDraw Capillary Blood Collection System. The system enables trained healthcare workers to collect capillary blood samples at non-traditional sites, such as pharmacies, expanding access to blood tests and supporting health equity.
Researchers at Georgia Tech University have developed a 3D-printing method for soft tissue engineering using a biocompatible polyester called polycaprolactone (PCL). The team utilized a 3D auxetic design, creating cube-shaped structures with tiny struts arranged at right angles to achieve two-way expansion, making the material flexible, strong, and permeable, with potential applications in breast reconstruction implants and other medical devices.

Sources

ThinkMedTek