MedTech News Briefs | January 29th, 2024

Monday, January 22nd

Researchers from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Sheffield are leading a £2 million ($2.6 million) trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and the Medical Research Council, to test a treatment for stroke survivors using transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation delivered as a self-delivered treatment during stroke rehabilitation therapy. The portable, stimulation device connects to a wired earpiece and is triggered during arm movement, allowing participants to access the treatment at home without the need for a surgical implant.
Researchers at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) in Korea have developed a new technique to potentially accelerate the development of high-performance organic electrochemical transistor devices with tunable transient responses. The researchers explored the transient behaviors of organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors (OMIECs) using an organic electrochemical transistor (OECT), with potential applications in computing, bio-fuel cells, and bioelectronics.
Kallisio has received FDA clearance for its 3D-printed Stentra, a device designed to protect healthy tissue in the head and neck during radiation therapy for cancer patients. The bio-compatible nylon device, produced using 3D selective laser sintering (SLS) printing technology, helps direct radiation to the targeted tumor area while minimizing harm to surrounding tissues and immobilizing at-risk organs.

Tuesday, January 23rd

Cognito Therapeutics has initiated a biomarker substudy within its HOPE pivotal trial, which is evaluating the GammaSense Stimulation system for Alzheimer’s disease. The substudy will assess biomarkers such as magnetic resonance imaging, cerebrospinal fluid, and plasma biomarkers to help identify patients who respond best to Cognito’s non-pharmacological therapy.
AtlasXomics and EpiCypher have collaborated to develop spatial CUT&Tag assays for profiling chromatin proteins. The partnership aims to integrate EpiCypher’s proprietary pAG-Tn5 enzyme and high-efficiency antibodies into AtlasXomics’ DBiT-seq (Deterministic Barcoding in Tissue for Spatial Omics Sequencing) platform for high-resolution spatial profiling in tissues.
HoloCare, a company that creates interactive 3D holograms for surgical planning, has received UKCA and CE mark approval for its technology. The software will initially be used for planning complex liver surgeries, particularly in the treatment of liver and bowel cancer, with plans to launch in 15 European hospitals in 2024.

Wednesday, January 24th

Neurotechnology company Motif Neurotech has secured $18.75 million in an oversubscribed Series A financing round led by Arboretum Ventures. The funding will be used to advance the development of the company’s DOT microstimulator, a miniature brain pacemaker designed to treat mental health disorders by precisely stimulating the brain, starting with treatment-resistant depression.
Covestro, a leading producer of advanced polymers and high-performance plastics, has developed Apec® 2045, a copolycarbonate with the highest heat resistance, to enable more efficient production of respiratory masks and other medical devices requiring molded-in seals. The material allows molders and medical OEMs to significantly reduce production time and cost without sacrificing quality, performance, or appearance.
Intuitive Surgical has submitted its next-generation da Vinci 5 multiport surgical robot for FDA 510(k) clearance. The company hopes for a 2024 launch, pending regulatory approval, and expects the new system to have four orders of magnitude greater processing power than its fourth-generation systems.

Thursday, January 25th

Boston Scientific has launched the VeraVue Single-Use Flexible Cystoscope, which has been granted FDA 510(k) clearance. The cystoscope is designed for diagnosing and treating urinary tract conditions and provides visualization of the bladder and urethra lining, offering a sterile, single-use alternative to reusable scopes, aiming to reduce the risk of infection and optimize schedule and workflow by eliminating the time associated with reprocessing, repair, and maintenance.
Fortius Clinic, situated in the Harley Street Medical Area, is showcasing its Mako robotic technology for joint replacement surgery at the Arab Health Exhibition & Congress. The Mako robotic system allows for precise planning of joint replacement surgery using a 3D virtual model developed from a CT scan, resulting in shorter operating times, reduced pain, and faster recovery for patients.
Researchers at MIT have developed inhalable nanosensors for lung cancer detection. The nanosensors, delivered via an inhaler or nebulizer, produce a signal in urine if they encounter cancer-linked proteins in the lungs, allowing for a simple paper test strip to be used for diagnosis.

Friday, January 26th

Medtech company CroíValve has initiated an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) for its DUO Tricuspid Coaptation Valve System, following FDA Investigative Device Exemption (IDE) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approval. The DUO system is designed to address tricuspid regurgitation (TR), a severe heart condition, using a coaptation valve delivered percutaneously with a novel anchor system.
The Providence Swedish Radiosurgery Center in Seattle, Washington, has purchased the latest generation CyberKnife S7 System from Accuray to enhance its cancer treatment capabilities. The robotic system offers precision and accuracy for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) treatments, making it an ideal choice for neurologic disorders as well.
Absolutions has received a breakthrough device designation from the FDA for its Rebuild Bioabsorbable device designed to prevent incisional hernias after open abdominal surgery. The device is made from a bioabsorbable material, aiming to reduce the risk of complications compared to mesh implants used by other companies.

Sources

ThinkMedTek