The U.S. has granted final approval to Microvention Inc., a subsidiary of Terumo Corp. based in Aliso Viejo, Calif., for its Flow Redirection Endoluminal Device (FRED) for the treatment of brain aneurysms. The flow diverter – Microvention’s third PMA approval in less than two years – is the first in the U.S. to utilize a self-expanding, braided nitinol mesh to aid in rerouting blood flow away from the weakened area and promote occlusion.

Dublin-based Medtronic plc received a CE mark for its Percept PC neurostimulator to treat neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. It is the first deep brain stimulation system launched in the EU that integrates the company’s technology to sense and record brain signals, known as Brainsense. It’s intended to enable more personalized treatment driven by that data.

LAS VEGAS – The U.S. FDA has said it is looking to help those interested in developing digital health tools, and that commitment took center stage this week during the Digital Health Summit, part of CES 2020. Amy Abernethy, principal deputy commissioner at the FDA, gave an overview of the agency’s thinking on the topic, providing the perspective of someone who came from outside the regulatory world.

PERTH, Australia – Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration is putting in place a number of opioid reforms to clamp down on the use of opioids to deal with increasing deaths and hospitalizations from the use of those drugs.