]> http://www.brefnet.org/news/Medical_News Medical News en http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/18 The FDA will be using the Sentinel network to create a super database to evaluate device safety. Most of the information collected will come from Medicare, HMO's, and insurance companies. For more information on the Sentinel Network click <a href="http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/advance/sentinel/">here</a>.<br /> <br /> For news releases:<br /> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/washington/23fda.html?ref=health">New York Times</a>, <br /> <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/email/idUSN2251502520080522?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0">Reuters</a> Thu, 22 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/16 Yesterday the NYtimes.com ran an article about patients' noisy experience with their ceramic hips. If you're curious to hear how loud the squeak is click <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWerMkRAAWg"> this Youtube link</a>.<br /> <br /> If you're interested to see how a problem like this is reported to the FDA, check out the MAUDE database. Here is an example of a report filed by an attorney. <a href="http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/Detail.CFM?MDRFOI__ID=1032841">MAUDE report</a><br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/11/business/11hip.html">New York Times Article</a> Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/11 The New York Times highlighted the whistle blower lawsuit against the device maker Medtronic today. The article articulates improper relations between manufactures and surgeons.<br /> <br /> Manufactures have been paying and providing vacations to surgeons who use (or companies hope use) their products at high volumes. No party has been found guilty for any illegal activity, though the ethical concerns are clear. The article can be read at <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/24device.html?_r=1&emc=eta1&pagewanted=print">NYTIMES.COM</a>. Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/10 Guidant acknowledged it may have more problems than previously recognized concerning their pacemakers. The Guidant news story has been busy in the news because of it's pending sale and bidding between J&J and Boston Scientific. Last year Guidant issued a recall on some of its pacemakers, but cast a wider net on which ones may need to be replaced since a different batch of devices may also be faulty. The release letter from guidant can be downloaded <a href="http://guidant.com/physician_communications/PDM_060121.pdf">here</a>. Read about it in the <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0601240247jan24,1,1074777.story?coll=chi-techtopheds-hed">Chicago Tribune</a>. Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/9 New chemotherapy technique is reported to prolong survival for ovarian cancer patients. The treatment involves high doses of drugs delivered through the stomach. The research is published in the New England Journal and a review can be found through the <a href="http://ctep.cancer.gov/highlights/clin_annc_010506.pdf">National Cancer Institute</a>. <br /> <br /> Genetic Testing is available for ovarian cancer. For more information on Genetic Testing of Hereditary Cancers, look for issues 6 & 7 of the Biomedical Review Letter. Thu, 05 Jan 2006 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.brefnet.org/news/article/2 <b>Free Subsriptions</b><br> The Biomedical Research and Education Foundation is offering a special promotion to physicians willing to complete our short web surveys. Please contact: moskowitz@brefnet.org for a confirmation ID code. Mon, 18 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0400