Medtronic Inc. (MDT) recently launched a new TSRH 3Dx Spinal System, which is a hook, rod and screw system used in complex spinal procedures. The system offers two screws designed to address multiple pathologies. The Multi Planar Adjusting (MPA) Screw gives surgeons the flexibility of a variable angle posted screw for targeted, controlled correction maneuvers. The OSTEOGRIP Screw enhances bone fixation by incorporating a dual-lead thread pattern that reduces toggle at the bone-screw interface.

The new pedicle screw system has a unique technology that addresses multiple spinal pathologies, from degenerative disc disease to spinal deformity. The product offers an alternative to patients for spinal stabilization with fusion. It works for patients suffering from degenerative spinal conditions, deformity, or injury of the thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine. The TSRH Spinal System also provides Chromaloy rods and a minimally invasive capability.

We think that the new product will be widely accepted by

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CareFusion Corp. (CFN) entered into a multi-year technology licensing agreement with Masimo Corp. (MASI) regarding the use of Masimo Rainbow SET Pulse CO-Oximetry technology in CareFusion infusion and respiratory products, which are presently under development.    The agreement enables CareFusion’s future infusion and respiratory products to non-invasively and continuously measure multiple blood constituents to more accurately assess dyshemoglobins affecting oxygenation, predict fluid responsiveness, and provide earlier identification of respiratory compromise.   CareFusion’s ventilators and infusion pumps facilitate earlier detection, diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening conditions by accessing total hemoglobin (SpHb), oxygen content (SpOC), carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO), methemoglobin (SpMet), and PVI for fluid responsiveness, in addition to oxyhemoglobin (SpO2), perfusion index (PI), and pulse rate.   CareFusion is a medical technology company formed recently by the spin-off of the Clinical and Medical Products business of Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH). The spin-off was completed in September ...

Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) recently launched MASTERGRAFT Strip - a new, highly flexible ceramic scaffold used in combination with a patient’s own bone for fusing multiple levels of the posterolateral spine, in the U.S. The strip is used by surgeons for a variety of bone grafting procedures.   MASTERGRAFT Strip is primarily used when the spine loses stability or its natural shape. The product offers a continuous latticework for longer grafting procedures at the back of the spine. It also enables maximization of the bony surface area contact and allows for continuous bone growth over large bony gaps. MASTERGRAFT Strip is available in unique lengths that eliminate the requirement of multiple strip units for a long fusion.   MASTERGRAFT Strip’s unique features and ease of handling during implantation makes it a preferred choice for spine surgeons. We therefore expect the product to increase the Spinal and Biologics business

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Medtronic Inc. (MDT) recently reported the first enrollment for its Attain Success trial. The trial evaluates implant success, complication rates and procedure times for the company’s Attain Family of left-heart leads and delivery systems portfolio which are already available in the market.  The Attain Success trial enrollment will have roughly 2,000 patients at 150 medical centers in 18 countries around the world. The company will analyze data at baseline, implant and three months post-implant. The study will also capture implant success and complication rates (up to three months), procedure times, handling feedback and physician survey data.  In addition, the Attain Success trial enrollment will have a sub-study that will assess final left-heart lead placement site. Patients enrolled in the test will have a cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT) device implanted in them. Results from the test are expected in 30 months.  If successful, the Attain Success ...

National healthcare wherever is implemented squeezes prices and profits of the private businesses involved in the system.

Obamacare in the U.S. will be no different.  For investors in healthcare companies, it is a good idea to begin to think through which companies will be most severely negatively impacted or least impacted, to potentially make  deletions or substitutions.

One dimension of healthcare companies is research and development, which has been an important driver of future growth and value for many companies in the biotech, pharmaceutical and medical devices industries.

To the extent that the rewards of research and development are reduced by price pressures due to national healthcare, research and development will decrease, and therefore growth in sales, profits and value of those private companies will slow.

One way to begin the process of determining the sensitivity of biotech, pharmaceutical and medical device companies to a switch from a private to a public U.S. healthcare

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Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts!

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FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com

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Thursday October 22, 2009

DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

AQNM, RTN, PSFT, PWRM, MDT, CSRH, SLB, CVAT, BA

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RTN, Raytheon Co.

RTN designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and supports technological products, services, and solutions for governmental and commercial customers in the United States and internationally.

RTN reported third quarter 2009 income from continuing operations of $499 million, up 14 percent compared to $437 million in the third quarter 2008. EPS from continuing operations for the third quarter 2009 was $1.25, up 24 percent compared to $1.01 in the third quarter 2008.

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PSFT, Powersafe Technology Corp., PSFT.PK

Powersafe Technology Corp.’s (Other OTC: PSFT.PK) Subsidiary Amplification

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Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) recently started a feasibility study of an interventional treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) using a specially designed drug-eluting stent system. The study is known as ZEN (Zotarolimus-Eluting Peripheral Stent System for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction in Males with Sub-Optimal Response to PDE5 Inhibitors) and is being conducted under an investigational device exemption (IDE) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).   The study is expected to enroll 50 patients at up to ten medical centers in the United States over 2010. It has been seen that there is a link between erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease. ED is primarily caused by vascular disease due to the deterioration of the endothelium. Medtronic’s drug-eluting stent preserves endothelial function of the native vessels. The study evaluates the safety and enhanced erectile function of pelvic artery stenting. Results are expected in 2011.      If successfully

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Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) yesterday reported positive results from the study of the safety and effectiveness of the company’s INFUSE Bone Graft compared to autogenous bone graft when used in maxillary sinus floor augmentation. Results indicated that INFUSE Bone Graft are equally effective as autogenous bone graft for sinus lifts, a common dental surgical procedure. Additionally, INFUSE Bone Graft avoids harvesting autogenous bone -- that is, bone taken from the patient’s body -- and thereby eliminates the associated morbidity, cost and increased surgical time. The bone generated by INFUSE Bone Graft is normal, mature and 100% viable with no residual graft material. It has been estimated that roughly 100,000 patients in the U.S. are indicated for a sinus lift augmentation to place dental implants. Severe bone loss results mainly from disease, trauma or genetic defects. We think that the new device brings an alternative treatment option ...

SANUWAVE Inc. is an emerging medical technology company engaged in the development and commercialization of non-invasive, biological response activating devices. The company yesterday announced it is now the subsidiary of a publicly traded company through a reverse merger with a wholly owned subsidiary of Rub Music Enterprises Inc. (RME), effective September 25, 2009.

Per the merger, SANUWAVE is the surviving entity. RME’s common stock is traded on the OTCBB under the ticker symbol “RBME”; however, SANUWAVE said it plans to change RME’s name and stock symbol to better fit SANUWAVE’s name.

Christopher M. Cashman, president and CEO of SANUWAVE and RME, said the company’s entrance into the public market is a significant achievement for the company as it strives to expand its operations.

“Becoming a public company is another important milestone for SANUWAVE as we strive to bring to market safe and effective, non-invasive technologies in regenerative medicine for the repair

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Medtronic, Inc. (MDT) recently launched the KYPHON Cement Delivery System (CDS) in the U.S. on a full-scale basis. The new product is an addition to the company’s extensive KYPHON Balloon Kyphoplasty product portfolio used for the treatment of vertebral compression fractures (VCFs).  The KYPHON Cement Delivery System enables physicians to maintain a safer and longer distance from the radiation source during the cement delivery phase compared to the company’s traditional delivery system. It decreases the radiation exposure exponentially. The new product launch is a shot in the arm for Medtronic as it will increase sales in the Spinal and Biologics segment and strengthen the company’s leadership position in this market. Spinal is Medtronic’s second-largest revenue generating segment, representing roughly 23% of total revenues.  The company has widely used its balloon kyphoplasty products with an estimated over 700,000 fractures treated globally till date. Medtronic is one of ...