This article was adapted from "Building Interventional Gynecology," which appeared in START-UP, June 2010. . . . [MORE . . .]

Recent reports questioning the benefits of early prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment have raised an industry-wide debate that has been fueled by the limitations of prostate-specific antigen tests, currently the standard of care for early prostate cancer detection. While the industry searches to improve the use of PSA tests, urologists are asking, "are we over treating our patients?" That question was repeatedly voiced in a number of forums at the American Urological Association's 2010 Annual Meeting. As for a definitive answer to the question, it is a somewhat difficult task to get individual physicians to admit they are personally over treating patients; however, there is definitely a consensus-and a concern-that more patients than necessary are receiving treatments that put them at risk of serious side effects. . . . [MORE . . .]

The artificial disc market, at least in the US, has yet to take off. In 2009, sales of artificial discs reached close to $150 million a far cry from the $1+ billion projected in 2005. So what happened and what does the future hold? . . . [MORE . . .]

A record-breaking attendance at 2010's meeting of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery marked the growing interest in new ways to address the issue of obesity. Currently, less than 1% of a potential US patient population of 15 million who might benefit from bariatric surgery actually undergo the procedure, and surgeons are scrambling to understand why and to identify new, less invasive approaches that might help them better penetrate this enormous patient pool. . . . [MORE . . .]

The relatively open nature of the wound care market has created a golden opportunity for manufacturers to step up and introduce a variety of new products, although rarely is new a signal of true innovation in this space. And that, in turn, has created a broad, diverse, and fragmented industry, as demonstrated by the packed exhibit hall at the April 2010 meeting of the Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and the Wound Healing Society. . . . [MORE . . .]

While legal considerations play a role in determining if or how soon use of a medical device is adopted, other factors are now just as important and in some cases more important in influencing a provider’s product selection process. . . . [MORE . . .]

Brief summaries of recent medtech market and industry developments. This month we cover trial results for PFO closure devices, the launch of Edwards Lifesciences' transcatheter valve, Accumetrics' push for platelet testing, J&J's acquisition of Micrus, the slowdown in the hip and knee market, and the new federal rule on covering preventive screening . . . [MORE . . .]

A roundup of recent medtech strategic alliances, mergers & acquisitions and financings. . . . [MORE . . .]

Brief summaries of recent advances in device research and clinical trials. This month we survey new advances in diabetes research. . . . [MORE . . .]

Noteworthy news from medtech start-ups. This month we profile NonWoTecc, which is developing synthetic, biomimetic vascular grafts and Valam, which is developing laser technology to treat chronic rhinosinusitis . . . [MORE . . .]