Blog

Treating heart failure by targeting fat metabolism

July 16, 2019 Before any physical signs or symptoms of heart failure emerge, chronically stressed cardiac cells undergo changes to adapt; however, the adjustments do not necessarily make things better, said Doug Lewandowski, Ph.D., an Ohio State researcher who focuses on cardiac metabolism, in a statement.  Lewandowski’s team discovered that deficiencies of a reactive fat … Read more

Bayer taps Swedish smart pillbox developer to encourage drug adherence

July 09, 2019 The company, Pilloxa — born out of the Karolinska Institute, the Royal Institute of Technology and the Stockholm local government — says that patient noncompliance can dramatically increase strains on the healthcare system in terms of lives, time and costs. The app also contains an up-to-date medicines list, a dashboard for the patient’s … Read more

A smart toilet seat to detect heart failure?

July 04, 2019 Developed by researchers at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the sensors embedded in the high-tech seats will be privy to a person’s heart rate, blood pressure and oxygenation levels, as well as the amount of blood pumped out of the heart with every beat.  The intent of the university’s spinout, christened Heart … Read more

FDA to launch scientific review of implant biocompatibility, following patient reactions to certain materials

July 02, 2019 While the vast majority of patients have no adverse reactions to implants constructed of metal, plastic or silicone, the Agency said some may still develop inflammatory responses and tissue changes several years following the initial procedure, with symptoms that might not occur until long after a clinical study.  Those symptoms, both local … Read more

Sales reps may be wearing out their welcome in the operating room

June 27, 2019 The answer to the first question is pretty easy.  These sales reps typically work for medical device companies such as Stryker, Medtronic or DePuy Synthes.   Many surgeries, especially orthopedic trauma and cardiac procedures, require insertion of artificial joints or other hardware manufactured by these companies.  But as to why they are present … Read more

New bill would halt device tax for five years

June 25, 2019 The House Ways and Means Committee unveiled 10 DEC 2018 the untitled bill for tax relief that includes disaster relief and reforms to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  However, it also takes aim at a number of tax considerations related to health care.  Among these is a delay in the implementation of … Read more

Pazdur, Marks and Woodcock Discuss FDA Changes, What’s Coming

June 18, 2019 Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) Director Woodcock said that the difference between years past, when FDA was viewed negatively, and now is that there has been a sort of scientific revolution, with biology being harnessed in novel ways and investments at NIH paying off. Oncology Center of Excellence Director Pazdur … Read more

FDA warns public against unapproved robotic cancer surgeries and mastectomies

June 13, 2019 The Agency’s Safety Communication is in response to reports in the scientific literature and elsewhere, including in the media and promotional materials, that describe surgeons and hospital systems that use robotically assisted surgical devices for mastectomy.  In particular, the FDA said it was aware of some peer-reviewed publications reporting poor patient outcomes, … Read more