ATLANTA Medical device companies are in a unique position these days. The 510 (k) process is starting to look a lot like the PMA approval process and the A-round company is yesterday's B-round company. What was once down is up and med-tech companies are finding themselves in a perfect storm battling difficult regulation and what could be perceived as harmful legislation.

ATLANTA With a tougher regulatory environment and the U.S. in the process of trying to rebound from a tumultuous downturn in the economy, medical device companies have found it increasingly difficult to secure venture capital dollars in recent years.