November’s approvals include the US FDA approval of Medtronic’s In.Pact AV paclitaxel-coated balloon, for the treatment of arteriovenous access in patients with end-stage renal disease, and a CE mark that expands the indication for Edwards’ Sapien 3 TAVR device to include patients at low-risk during surgery.

Almost one-third of contact-lens patients in the US order lenses online at least some of the time. Manufacturers such as CooperVision are introducing mobile apps that allow them to compete with online-only retailers like 1-800 Contacts.

Device fundraising during the fourth quarter totaled $2.6 billion, making it the strongest quarter of the year. Q4 M&A activity reached $3.9 billion, higher than Q3's $3.4 billion, but still one of the lowest quarters of the year. Both fourth quarter diagnostics financings and M&As hit an all-year low of $622 million, and $2.8 million, respectively.

Industry stakeholders say proposed revisions to the US Federal Trade Commission's Contact Lens Rule, including one related to lens substitutions, could create problems for suppliers. The rule will be up for discussion at a March 7 meeting.