The top 10 connected health stories of the year so far

The shift to more connected health isn’t showing signs of slowing down, and medtech continues to play a significant role.

Especially in the United States, there is still a need for reforms in how healthcare is delivered and paid for to enable more remote delivery of healthcare monitoring and therapies. Nevertheless, the medtech behind connected health advances, opening new possibilities for the future.

At DeviceTalks West in Santa Clara, California, Oct. 16–17, a wide range of connected health technologies will be featured. (Learn more about the event and register at West.DeviceTalks.com.)

Ahead of DeviceTalks West, let’s take a look at the connected health tech stories that caught the attention of the audience at MassDevice and sibling sites in 2024:

Canary Medical has first-in-human implant of heart sound monitor

Vancouver, British Columbia–based Canary announced in February that it conducted the feasibility trial in Paraguay. The company says it marks the first successful human implantation of a cardiac auscultation sensor device. It provides daily adjunctive objective cardiac parameter measurements. Canary officials think the device could enable patients and clinicians to better manage congestive heart failure symptoms, an important connected health advancement.

Read the full story on MassDevice. 

DeepWell DTx thinks it’s cleared the blockages holding back digital therapeutics

DeepWell recently won FDA 510(k) clearance for its biofeedback software development kit (SDK), which DeepWell and video game developers can use in over-the-counter therapies for stress reduction and hypertension. “Digital therapeutics got stuck. … After the big hype and the trough of despair, we’re on our way back up to the reality of what’s going to happen here,” DeepWell co-founder and Chair Ryan Douglas said in an interview with Medical Design & Outsourcing. “And at the moment, DeepWell is going to sit right in the middle of that.”

Read the full story.

Stryker acquires AI-assisted virtual care company Care.ai

Care.ai specializes in AI-assisted virtual care workflows, smart room technology and ambient intelligence solutions. Stryker said the acquisition strengthens the company’s growing healthcare IT offering and wirelessly connected medical device portfolio.

Find out more.

Cala launches next-gen wearable for essential tremor, Parkinson’s therapy

“At Cala, we’ve always been committed to expanding patient access and accelerating innovation in TAPS therapy for indications beyond essential tremor,” Cala CEO Renee Ryan said in June. “By expanding into Parkinson’s disease, we are now able to bring this powerful treatment to additional patients who suffer from action hand tremors.”

Here’s the full story on MassDevice. 

Avail Medsystems tech sold to robotics startup founded by former Auris leaders

Avail Medsystems aimed to establish virtual connections between medical device sales reps and operating rooms, but it shut down last November due to lack of funding. In March, the now-shuttered company found a home for its technology: medical robotics startup Mendaera.  Josh DeFonzo, co-founder and CEO of Mendaera, told MassDevice in March that the company’s technology is a high-performing robot “no bigger than your fist.” Mendaera closed a $73 million Series B financing round in September.

Read MassDevice‘s story from March about the acquisition of the Avail tech.

Medtronic has a new chief medical officer for robotics, digital tech

The medtech giant announced in September that Dr. James Porter had joined the company as chief medical officer of Robotic Surgical Technologies and Digital Technologies. Medtronic called Porter a “recognized leader” among the global surgical community. The company said he’s one of the top five robotic surgery practitioners in the U.S.

Here’s more

Insulet fully launches Omnipod 5 with Dexcom G7 in the U.S. along with iPhone app

Omnipod 5, the first FDA-cleared tubeless automated insulin delivery system, communicates with a CGM. It proactively corrects for highs and protects against lows with insulin dosing. The waterproof device features mobile app control for ease of use.

Read the full Drug Delivery Business News story from June.

Apple Watch’s AFib detection tool earns landmark FDA approval

The FDA announced in May that it granted the AFib detection tool within the Apple Watch a new qualification through its Medical Device Development Tools (MDDT) program. Apple’s AFib History feature became the first digital health technology qualified under the MDDT program. It provides a non-invasive way to check estimates of AFib burden within clinical studies.

Find out more.

A mobility assistance device ‘energizes’ knee braces to help with walking, standing

Reev is developing a lightweight, discreet, intelligent mobility assistance device that could help patients walk and stand more normally. Reev Sense is a motion sensor mounted to a patient’s leg or shoe. It’s designed to monitor and record gait disorders. It sends personalized data to the company’s smart robotic assistance system, Dreeven, customizing motor control and delivering the exact assistance needed from the patient.

Here’s the full Medical Design & Outsourcing story.

Dexcom announces direct-to-watch feature for G7 CGM

Desxom said in March that the move made the G7 the only CGM system that can connect directly to the Apple Watch without carrying an iPhone.

Read the full story on Drug Delivery Business News. 

Meet these connected health leaders in person at DeviceTalks West on Oct. 16–17 at the Santa Clara Convention Center:

Associate Editor Sean Whooley and Managing Editor Jim Hammerand contributed to this story.