Medical device tax suspension aids Boston Scientific and Mayo Clinic innovation

Due to the medical device tax suspension, Boston Scientific and Mayo Clinic are collaborating on the creation of medical devices

The two companies are sharing intellectual property and working together to develop new medical technologies in areas that include interventional cardiology, heart rhythm management, endoscopy, neuromodulation, urology and pelvic health, according to Boston Scientific.

Michael Mahoney, president and CEO, Boston Scientific, said: "Open approaches to innovation, such as our collaboration with Mayo Clinic, can more quickly put better tools and devices in the hands of physicians to improve the health and well-being of patients.

"Our continued investment in this collaboration is an example of our innovation as a result of the recent suspension of the Medical Device Tax."

Several programmes are underway, including two Mayo Clinic studies evaluating a guide catheter designed to enable a physician to pass a guidewire across a narrowed aortic valve as part of the procedure for catheter-based aortic valve replacement and the use of the Boston Scientific Precision Spectra Spinal Cord Stimulator System to block the neural signals that trigger shortness of breath and muscle fatigue during exercise among patients with heart failure.

John Noseworthy, president and CEO, Mayo Clinic, said: “We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Boston Scientific. Working together can allow us to swiftly bring our discovery and innovation to the direct benefit of patients."