Last July, Medtronic (Minneapolis) received an FDA nod to begin a landmark study of its Symplicity renal denervation system in the U.S., allowing the company to enroll patients in SYMPLICITY HTN-3 to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of renal denervation with the Symplicity catheter in patients with resistant hypertension (Medical Device Daily, July 13, 2011). Now, Medtronic is taking it a step further two steps, actually with the start of two clinical initiatives evaluating the broader, real-world clinical use of the device across multiple conditions.

A nationwide study has found that testing a developing fetus's DNA through chromosomal microarray (CMA) provides more information about potential disorders than does the standard method of prenatal testing, which is to visually examine the chromosomes (karyotyping). The study has the potential to change the standard method of prenatal testing.

The term "disruptive technologies" is often overused in the medical device world. There are times, however, when the term is genuinely applicable to describe an innovative technology that makes a real difference in patients' lives and to the physicians who treat them.

Midwest healthcare companies attracted $810 million in new investments across 178 companies last year according to the latest BioEnterprise Midwest Health Care Venture Investment Report. The total dollars attracted is up by 10% from 2010; however it remains below the peak year of 2007.