Business Week has a story reviewing some of the things that implant vendors have in the pipeline. Also noted is the tension between ever more expensive devices and the need to justify their increased costs to payors. Advanced technology is great, as long as it's cost effective.

Vendors are looking to extend sensor capabilities to measure things like intracardiac pressures and fluid levels in lungs. Wireless connectivity will provide alarm notification and daily surveillance data to physicians, and feedback and control between sensors, implanted pumps and controllers. Miniaturization is making batteries last longer, while making devices quicker and easier to implant.

It seems we may be entering a golden age for implant technology.