January 24, 2011 – The first U.S. clinical implant of a device designed to restore more natural breathing patterns in patients with central sleep apnea was made last week at The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus.

January 21, 2011 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week unveiled a plan containing 25 actions it intends to implement during 2011 to improve its 510(k) review of medical technology, the most common path to market for medical devices.

January 20, 2011 – European CE mark approval was granted to expand the indication of Abbott’s Xience Prime everolimus-eluting coronary stent for the treatment of critical limb ischemia (CLI) or severe claudication (pain) of the lower leg. CLI is the most advanced form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) that can ultimately lead to limb amputation.

January 20, 2011 – Drug-coated stents hold promise as a safe and lasting solution for the treatment of clogged leg arteries, suggest two-year results of the Zilver PTX Trial being presented at the 23rd annual International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET). Blocked leg arteries are a symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), which affects 8 to 12 million Americans.

Continuing to build a portfolio of transcatheter structural heart technology, Boston Scientific today signed a definitive merger agreement to acquire Atritech Inc. Atritech developed the Watchman device, which is designed to close the left atrial appendage (LAA) in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for ischemic stroke.