According to this story in the San Francisco Chronicle, the medical device market is setting records for venture capital investments.
Underscoring the expanding investor interest in life sciences, deals for
companies making medical devices reached a record of $1.08 billion for 96
deals, a 60 percent jump from the level of funding in the fourth quarter of
2006.
“It […]
Defibtech has released new software to upgrade recalled devices, and has lifted their ship hold on the Lifeline and ReviveR brand automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
The new software has addressed the issue associated with the voluntary
recall. The new software also includes a free upgrade of the unit to
the latest 2005 AHA Guidelines. Customers who currently have […]
The industry group responsible for the advancement and adoption of USB technology (warning: obnoxious sound track) has created a health care working group. Apparently patterned on the Continua Health Alliance approach, the group is targeting health and wellness, disease management and aging independently market segments. Noted members are also all Continua members: Cisco, Intel, Nonin, […]
Continuous EEG monitoring is a useful diagnostic tool for identifying a number of important neurological problems and to guide therapy. The problem with continuous EEG monitoring is that it requires specialized techs and consulting neurologists. Last November (2006) Stellate introduced a continuous EEG monitor for the ICU with an impressive array of connectivity features (press […]
The FDA has lifted the December 2005 warning letter on Guidant implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) that suspended Boston Scientific's introduction of new Guidant products. It took Boston Scientific a full year to retool their quality systems and backfill required documentation. The FDA reinspected the Guidant facilities last November and December, rending their decision almost 4 […]
Doing a good job of getting patients discharged is key to good patient flow. There are many reasons why patients may not get discharged as soon as they could. Attending physicians at many hospitals don’t seem to get around to writing discharge orders until late afternoon or early evening of the day of discharge. Patients […]
Tony Chen at the Hospital Impact blog has a great post on the tsunami of recent deals in health care. These deals are changing the health care industry. Outsiders in the form of private equity investors and insider hospital M&A are gobbling up failing organizations or those weakened by market changes for which they have […]
A year after launching their spec for the Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC), Intel is announcing a new spec based on Linux.
Called a Mobile Internet Device (pic), or MID, the devices will
have screen sizes from 4.5 to six inches with a target audience
described as “consumers and prosumers” rather than mobile professionals.
While [the UMPCs] CPU components […]
The California Healthcare Foundation has underwritten a study looking at ambulance diversions across the state. Findings in this phase 1 report showed that state wide emergency departments (EDs) were on divert an average of 10% in 2005. Emergency department closings to ambulances continue to confound hospital administrators. You can read about a recent survey showing […]
Philips' Consumer Healthcare Division has made another acquisition (press release). This time the target was Health Watch Holdings, a provider of emergency response services - yes, another one of those “I've fallen and I can't get up” companies. Philips paid $750 million for Lifeline last year, but pays only $130 million for Health Watch's 100,000 […]
