The recent proliferation of smart phones and mobile apps has put everything from face-to-face meetings to comparison shopping into the palms of our hands. Wireless technology is changing the way we communicate and do business, and proponents say it could soon have a similar game-changing impact on health care. Indeed, hundreds of mobile health apps are already available for relatively simple tasks such as logging and tracking blood pressure measurements, caloric intake, and sleep habits, but this is only the beginning of what could be a pervasive and increasingly sophisticated technology trend in the years ahead.

Transoma, which was developing an implantable ECG monitor for continuous, wireless arrhythmia monitoring closed its doors in December. Before that, Medtronic failed to gain FDA approval for an implantable hemodynamic monitor for heart failure. That's two strikes; what will it take for companies with implants for wireless monitoring to stay in the game? Jay Yadav, MD, of CardioMEMS gives his opinion.

Brief summaries of recent medtech market and industry developments. This month we cover use of fractional flow reserve PCI to avoid unecessary stenting; new European Society of Cardiology guidelines that should increase the use of implantable loop recorders; treating obesity with neurostimulation devices; Asthmatx's positive recommendation from an FDA panel; and the decrease in the number of 510(k) clearances.

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