Friday, May 9, 2008

> Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry

 

From the Editors

Almost Everybody Wins

The alleged heartlessness of the medical device industry was decried by its critics in late February when Medtronic won a U.S. Supreme Court case over federal preemption of premarket approval (PMA) products that are not in violation of FDA requirements. The decision means that patients injured by PMA devices cannot sue manufacturers in state courts if the devices are not adulterated or misbranded.

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Industry News

Coming Soon

Direct welding of plastics can be used in place of adhesives and other bonding methods for joining a variety of medical devices, particularly disposables. An article in the May issue explores the methods of laser welding for sealing plastic seams in medical devices.

We’ll also explore the ins and outs of testing. Medical devices must undergo a number of physical, biological, and chemical characterization tests. The testing requirements for those being implanted in the body are more stringent. Find out what some of these additional tests entail.

As always, May features our coverage of MD&M East. The exclusive guide will help you prepare for your attendance to the trade show and conference sessions.


MD&DI Editors Sound Off

MD&DI's blogs cover the medical device industry, bringing you analysis of breaking news, informed commentary on the hottest industry topics, and a forum for reader opinion and feedback. Visit DeviceTalk, Transforming FDA, and Biomaterials Talk to get the latest in the industry.

Industry Insider

Four months after commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach publicly raised the idea of placing FDA investigators in foreign countries to help prevent the importation of defective products, FDA in March announced its first step toward that goal.

It said it had received State Department approval to establish eight full-time permanent FDA positions at U.S. diplomatic posts in China, pending authorization from the Chinese government. The announcement did not use the word "investigators" or "inspectors," an indication that it remains unsure what authority Beijing will allow the FDA personnel to assert.