Medasense Biometrics Ltd. received U.S. FDA marketing authorization for its PMD-200 patient monitor with nociception level index (NOL) technology that monitors patients’ physiological response to pain during surgery. NOL uses a multi-parametric sensor platform combined with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to generate a ‘signature of pain’ for patients under anesthesia who are also receiving opioids and other analgesics.

Rapidai Inc. Received U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for Rapid RV/LV, the latest addition to its pulmonary embolism (PE) solution. Rapid RV/LV uses artificial intelligence to quickly calculate the right ventricle to left ventricle ratio based on an analysis of computerized tomography pulmonary angiograms. The ratio provides critical information for prioritization of PEs and integrates with Rapidai’s triage and notification and workflow products to manage patient care from suspected embolism to treatment.

Royal Philips NV released a grim annual report for 2022 that showed a little willingness to share the pain of an unabashedly awful year for the health tech company, which has been plagued by a recall fiasco that has bled into multiple years. Shareholders lost much of their investment with the company’s more than 60% drop in market value in 2022, 10,000 employees faced job loss and all current members of top management waived their annual incentive payouts. Notably, former CEO Frans van Houten, who was replaced in October and oversaw the ill-fated recall, did not waive his bonus of $208,370.

Merit Medical Systems Inc. received a U.S. FDA breakthrough device designation for its Scout MD surgical guidance system, which enables physicians to pinpoint tumor location in soft tissue. The system uses up tiny reflectors to provide multidimensional location data that can improve the ability to remove the entire tumor with minimal trauma to the surrounding tissue, which can be a challenge in surgeries such as lumpectomies.

Neurodiagnostics LLC (dba Synaps Dx) and Linus Health Inc. reported significant advances for their dementia diagnostics Feb. 16, adding to the liquid biopsies and radiologic studies currently used and potentially expanding access to beneficial treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias.

Insulet Corp. went on a buying spree this week with the acquisition of the assets of Automated Glucose Control LLC (AGC) and Bigfoot Biomedical Inc.'s automated insulin delivery (AID) patents. The Bigfoot and AGC deals each rang in at $25 million.

Diasorin SpA sold its Flow Cytometry and Imaging (FCI) business unit to Cytek Biosciences Inc. for $46.5 million in cash. That’s quite a drop from the $75 million price Diasorin subsidiary Luminex Corp. paid Milleporesigma for the FCI assets in 2018. The companies expect the sale to close within 30 days.

Diagnosing leukemia can be a straightforward matter that requires little more than analysis of a complete blood count. Too many white blood cells or too few red blood cells could herald leukemia. Flow cytometry may reveal the specific types of blood cell running amok—or not. Sometimes, leukemia stays in the bone marrow, making identification of the specific type more difficult. In those cases, a patient faces a more complex process that typically requires a bone marrow biopsy.

Baxter International Inc.’s fourth quarter earnings per share came in well below consensus and the company lowered expectations for 2023’s first quarter and full-year performance citing “ongoing macroeconomic challenges and supply chain headwinds.” Topline results that beat expectations provided cold comfort to investors who saw the stock price drop 12% following the release of the quarterly report. Baxter also provided additional details on the restructuring including limited layoffs along with the quarterly update.

Globus Medical Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to buy Nuvasive Inc. in an all-stock transaction that will combine two leaders in the musculoskeletal industry into one of the largest companies in the spinal surgery market. While there are many companies in the spine market, the acquisition may still set off an alarm among regulators concerned about consolidation in the field. Both boards unanimously approved the deal.