Royal Phillips NV opted to withdraw the Tack endovascular repair device only six years after the U.S. FDA’s approved it. Tack is designed to repair vascular dissection caused by angioplasty. The associated recall lists 20 injuries and no fatalities, but the device design might be a culprit in forcing the withdrawal of the Tack.

The Apple Watch may be able to alert wearers to heart palpitations, but Google LLC’s Pixel Watch 3 can now detect when a user’s heart stops – and call emergency services. The pulse detection featured received clearance from the U.S. FDA on Feb. 26 and Google plans to make it available on its Pixel Watch 3 starting in March. Pulse detection is already available for watches sold in the U.K. and EU.

To increase diagnosis across Australia, the partnership will see Compumedics Ltd. of Melbourne supply its Somfit devices and electrodes to Philips’ pharmacy-based sleep programs in pharmacies across Australia.

The lung and thrombosis may play a key role in cancer and metastasis progression, according to a collaborative study led by Cornell University scientists. In the nonmetastatic lung microenvironment of several cancer types, the development of a prothrombosis niche promotes metastasis formation through the release of small extracellular vesicles loaded with an integrin protein.

Masimo Corp. selected Catherine (Katie) Szyman, an industry leader with deep med-tech roots, to guide the company as it seeks to rebuild its reputation and revenues following a gritty two-year battle for control. Current CEO Michelle Brennan will serve as chairman of the Masimo board. Brennan stepped up to lead Masimo after founder and former CEO Joe Kiani resigned following a shareholder vote that ousted him from his position of board chair as part of a protracted proxy battle between Kiani and Politan Capital Management LP.

Researchers have developed a novel point of care (POC) diagnostic that can test for multiple respiratory viral infections simultaneously, including for the flu and COVID-19. The POC diagnostic tool leverages a novel, non-enzymatic signal amplification method, according to study lead Eunjung Kim, professor at Incheon National University (INU), whose team published the findings in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical online November 2024.

Europlaz Technologies Ltd. has developed a new neonatal flow sensor that could help improve neonatal care and save the lives of babies born prematurely. The company created an integrated ‘sidestream’ carbon dioxide (CO2) sampling port, which when added to the side of its existing neonatal flow sensor will enable clinicians to monitor CO2 being exhaled from the baby’s lungs to better inform care.

Although it does not generally infect humans, a single mutation of the H5N1 virus in the highly pathogenic avian and bovine clade 2.3.4.4b could overcome this barrier and possibly trigger a pandemic. Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have warned of this possibility after studying the three-dimensional structure of the viral hemagglutinin and seeing how a change in one amino acid would make it more suitable for the human cell receptor. The researchers stress the need to monitor new mutations of this virus in order to act quickly in case the global jump to our species occurs.

An artificial intelligence-powered contactless monitoring device developed by Albus Health Ltd. can detect signs of asthma attacks in children up to five days before they occur.

Movano Inc., dba Movano Health, added some clinical-grade glitz to its Evie ring with a U.S. FDA clearance for the built-in pulse oximeter. Movan’s stock shot up from an all-time low within minutes of the announcement on Dec. 2, as the clearance breathes new life into Movano’s plans to position the ring as a medical device.