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Sara Aase

Sara Aase is an independent writing and editing professional in Minnesota who writes periodically for MedCity News. You can find her at: http://www.saraaase.com

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Venture capital reports offer a wakeup call for medical device industry

Venture capital reports offer a wakeup call for medical device industry

January 24, 2011 4:00 am by | 0 Comments

Everyone from the medical devices distributor to anyone marketing medical devices should pay attention to the venture investing reports that came out last week. Investment has slipped, U.S. dominance is ... Read more
Online doctor-patient matchmaker Wellclicks plans April product release

Online doctor-patient matchmaker Wellclicks plans April product release

January 21, 2011 1:49 pm by | 0 Comments

WellClicks helps patients find the right doctor based on a series of criteria, including language spoken and time and type of appointments (you can even require a photo). The company ... Read more
FDA 510(k) reaction: The trade group (Minnesota)

FDA 510(k) reaction: The trade group (Minnesota)

January 19, 2011 6:21 pm by | 0 Comments

Cautiously optimistic was the word from one trade group after the FDA released details Wednesday on current and future plans for changes to the 510(k) medical device approval process."They're moving ... Read more
FDA 510(k) reaction: The med-tech giant

FDA 510(k) reaction: The med-tech giant

January 19, 2011 5:01 pm by | 0 Comments

The FDA's announced rule changes for 510(k) medical device approval are a "good indicator that we'll get to good decisions," said the top regulatory official for Medtronic (MDT), the Minnesota-based ... Read more
Boston Scientific acquires atrial fibrillation device company Atritech

Boston Scientific acquires atrial fibrillation device company Atritech

January 19, 2011 1:09 pm by | 0 Comments

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) has acquired Plymouth-based Atritech, a maker of a novel product to treat atrial fibrillation, with an up-front payment of $100 million in a deal worth up to ... Read more
FDA approves Zyga Technology’s spinal fusion product

FDA approves Zyga Technology’s spinal fusion product

January 18, 2011 7:48 pm by | 0 Comments

Spinal tools company Zyga Technology received FDA clearance for its SImmetry Sacroiliac Joint Fusion System, designed for minimally invasive surgery to eliminate lower back pain by stabilizing the sacrum -- ... Read more
Nursing jobs are still high growth – but think outside the hospitals

Nursing jobs are still high growth – but think outside the hospitals

January 17, 2011 8:00 pm by | 1 Comments

Despite widely reported nursing job freezes in many parts of the country, nursing is still pegged as a top career for 2011 and beyond, according to the Bureau of Labor ... Read more
Aortic stent market grows as technology catches up to patient demand

Aortic stent market grows as technology catches up to patient demand

January 17, 2011 1:26 pm by | 0 Comments

It's taken two decades, but the global market for stents used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms is finally hitting the billion mark. Patients have demanded this technology as an option ... Read more
St. Jude launches joint cardiac ultrasound system with Zonare

St. Jude launches joint cardiac ultrasound system with Zonare

January 13, 2011 10:41 pm by | 0 Comments

Two months after it announced a development agreement with an up-and-coming ultrasound technology company, St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) has launched a faster, more portable intracardiac ultrasound system designed for taking ... Read more
Medtronic completes Ardian acquisition

Medtronic completes Ardian acquisition

January 13, 2011 12:45 pm by | 0 Comments

Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) has completed the purchase of California-based Ardian, a developer of catheter-based therapies for hypertension treatment.Medtronic paid $800 million in cash as announced in a previous agreement and ... Read more
Mayo Clinic doctor’s talk at TED fuels her breast imaging efforts

Mayo Clinic doctor’s talk at TED fuels her breast imaging efforts

January 13, 2011 8:12 am by | 0 Comments

Dr. Deborah Rhodes spoke in early December at TEDWomen, one of a series of events that highlights innovative thinkers and "ideas worth spreading." Since the speech was posted online late ... Read more
Ultrasound software firm Echometrix to raise $1 million

Ultrasound software firm Echometrix to raise $1 million

January 12, 2011 5:36 pm by | 0 Comments

Madison-based Echometrix expects to offer EchoSoft, software to improve ultrasound diagnosis and management of tendon and ligament injuries, by year's end, said CEO Sam Adams. Last week, the four-year-old startup ... Read more
Knee brace startup gets $1.5 million from angel investors

Knee brace startup gets $1.5 million from angel investors

January 11, 2011 4:19 pm by | 0 Comments

OrthoCor Medical Inc., a Minneapolis startup that makes an FDA-approved knee brace, has raised $1.5 million from angel investors. The company was one of the first of more than 100 ... Read more
Wound healing firm Celleration raises $8 million

Wound healing firm Celleration raises $8 million

January 11, 2011 3:18 pm by | 0 Comments

Eden Prairie-based Celleration has raised $8 million in Series E stock toward more sales and marketing resources for its mist therapy wound healing product.CEO Mark Wagner, who joined the company ... Read more
Minnesota drug developer CNS Therapeutics raises $3 million

Minnesota drug developer CNS Therapeutics raises $3 million

January 10, 2011 2:38 pm by | 0 Comments

On the heels of FDA approval of its new anti-spasticity drug Gablofen, CNS Therapeutics has raised $3 million in equity, according to documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ... Read more