An independent clinical trial, evaluating Medtronic's (Minneapolis) drug-eluting balloon (DEB) technology for the angioplasty treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the superficial femoral artery, shows promising data for the company's application over conventional, uncoated balloons. (Medical Device Daily)

Each year, more than two million Americans have a heart attack or stroke, and more than 800,000 of them die; cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Related medical costs and productivity losses approach $450 billion annually, and inflation-adjusted direct medical costs are projected to triple over the next two decades if present trends continue. (Medical Device Daily)

PerkinElmer (Waltham, Massachusetts) said that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Caliper Life Sciences (Hopkinton, Massachusetts), a company focused on imaging and detection solutions for life sciences research, diagnostics and environmental markets for about $10.50 a share which is a total net purchase price of $600 million in cash. (Medical Device Daily)

St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, Minnesota) said that it has managed to secure CE mark approval for the use of its Genesis neurostimulation system, a device that treats patients who suffer from intractable chronic migraine. (Medical Device Daily)