Reverse Medical (Irvine, California) reported FDA clearance for U.S. commercialization of their MVP-5 Micro Vascular Plug system for peripheral vessel embolization, and the first US clinical case. The MVP-5 system is indicated for use to obstruct or reduce the rate of blood flow in the peripheral vasculature, in vessels measuring between 3 mm and 5 mm.

In a move that's perhaps sending shock waves through the med-tech industry, Covidien (Dublin, Ireland) is saying that it will acquire Given Imaging (Yokneam, Israel) for $30 per share in cash, or a total of $860 million.

A study evaluating Boston Scientific's (Natick, Massachusetts) Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS), shows that the device provides highly significant pain relief three months after implantation.

A new study conducted by a group of independent investigators could have huge implications for Medtronic's (Minneapolis) Activa PC+S DBS system. Investigators reported the first U.S. implants of the device.

Each year nearly 1.7 million women in the U.S. undergo core needle or surgical breast biopsies after a suspicious mass is found through screening mammograms or self-exams and a series of diagnostic imaging tests are performed. However, four out of five of these biopsies reveal benign pathology.