Merit Medical Systems Inc. reported it is buying the lead management assets of Cook Medical Inc. for $210 million in cash. The Cook products consist of lead extraction devices and other lead management products.

The Nov. 20-21 meeting of the digital health advisory committee will discuss the use of generative artificial intelligence algorithms in medical devices with a focus on the total product life cycle – a theme that suggests a concern on the agency’s part regarding the reliability of these algorithms’ output.

Researchers at Klick Labs Inc. reported using a person’s voice to predict chronic hypertension with a high degree of accuracy. Data published in IEEE Access, found the potential for advancing early detection of chronic high blood pressure, showcasing another novel way to harness vocal biomarkers for better health outcomes.

Spectrawave Inc. surfed to a $50 million haul in its series B fundraising round for its Hypervue intravascular imaging system. The company appears to have captured the attention of at least one strategic investor, as Johnson & Johnson Innovation-JJDC Inc. led the round.

Data from the Drai Martini study shows that artificial intelligence is shaking up the analysis of electrocardiograms. Results presented at the recent ESC Congress 2024, demonstrated that an AI algorithm, Deeprhythmai, developed by Medicalgorithmics Sp zo.o., has significantly higher sensitivity than human specialists in detecting heart rhythm disorders on long ECG recordings.

Johnson & Johnson subsumed five of its medical technology business under the Johnson & Johnson Medtech name. Ethicon, Depuy Synthes, Biosense Webster, Abiomed and Cerenovus no longer exist as independent entities, but J&J announced no changes in the product lineup.

Brightflow SAS raised €16.5 million (US$18 million) in a series A financing round that will go towards developing its right ventricular mechanical circulatory support system. The company is working towards bringing the first long-term fully percutaneous implantable pump for right-sided heart failure to the market, Sophie Humbert, CEO at Brightflow, told BioWorld.

In the first study to compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement or implantation to surgical aortic valve replacement exclusively in women, Edwards Lifescience Corp.’s Sapien 3 and Sapien 3 Ultra valves provided better outcomes.

Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region for health care spending, and by 2030 APAC will account for more than 20% of global health care spending, Tom Lawry, managing director of Second Century Tech told the APACMed Forum 2024 conference held in Singapore, Sept 5-6.

Angiodynamics Inc. received CE mark approval for its Auryon atherectomy system which treats peripheral artery disease, including critical limb ischemia and in-stent restenosis. The regulatory clearance expands the company’s global reach as it sees increasing revenues from sales of the device.