June 18, 2008
 
I N D U S T R Y   N E W S

Transfer from Design and Engineering to Manufacturing is a Process
The labors of designers and engineers will bear little fruit if their work can't be translated into the manufacturing environment. Read entire story...

Firms Must Show Evidence that Compliance Programs Work
It is not enough to say you have a system that monitors payments to physicians in place; you must prove that it actually works. Read entire story...


Private Insurers' Coverage for Prosthetics is Often Inadequate
And patients and device companies are trying to do something about it. Read entire story...
T E C H N O L O G Y   D E V E L O P M E N T S

Heparin Update: 11 Deaths Linked to Devices
Contaminated heparin used to clean intravenous lines has been linked to 11 deaths, FDA says. Read entire story...


Robotic Arm Could Perform Surgery One Day
A research team has given a robotic arm "vision" via a digital camera. Read entire story...


Cook Introduces Esophogeal Stent System
The firm believes the new design contains significant advances and could take over the market. Read entire story...


R E G U L A T O R Y   U P D A T E

CDRH Outlines Hopes for Interactive Review Process
The program could give reviewers more flexibility to get questions about applications addressed quickly. Read entire story...


FDA Panel Calls for Better Labeling on Contact Lens Solutions
Consumers should be warned not to reuse lens cleaning solution, among other recommendations. Read entire story...


Industry Helping to Scale Back Competitive-Bidding Programs
Concerns about fairness and poor implementation have caught the ear of some in Congress. Read entire story...

 


Index Test Predicts Heart Attack Mortality
A test created by Harbinger Medical Inc. (Eden Prairie, MN) aims to predict the risk of a patient’s mortality, which also might indicate (or rule out) the need for an ICD. Read entire story

RFID Could Help Hospitals Save Money, Lives
The potential of radio-frequency identification to track medical products has been known for years. Now it is becoming a reality. Read entire story

FDA Urged to Regulate All Lab Tests
FDA should have some level of oversight for all laboratory tests, including the more than 1100 genetic tests now offered by hundreds of laboratories across the nation, according to an HHS advisory committee report. Read entire story

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