In this edition of Device Week, Medtech Insight's managing editor Marion Webb chats with deputy editor Reed Miller about the most recent earnings report from Johnson & Johnson and with London-based Catherine Longworth about her upcoming "taboo" tech coverage from the 2019 Global Innovation and New Technology Health Event (GIANT).

Johnson & Johnson's medical device businesses grew 5.3% on an organic basis in the third quarter, led by the Biosense Webster electrophysiology business. The company is increasing R&D investment, especially in robotic surgery, to boost its surgery and orthopedics businesses.

The Echelon circular powered stapler for colorectal, gastric and thoracic surgery features Ethicon’s 3D stapling technology to evenly distribute compression and a gripping-surface technology that reduces compressive forces on tissue. The company expects the new system will reduce leaks at the staple line without compromising blood or lymphatic perfusion.

The Merlin 10.0 update to Abbott’s its Merlin patient care network, which works with the CardioMEMS HF sensor system, allows physicians to communicate directly with patients.

Miach Orthopedics expects to soon earn US FDA de novo clearance for its Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair (BEAR) technology as an alternative to conventional anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. Trials have shown BEAR helps restore torn ACLs to normal strength and function.

In this week's podcast, senior reporter Catherine Longworth provides an update on how the Demant Group is recovering from a ransomware attack that forced the Danish hearing-aid manufacturer to shut down its IT systems, and deputy editor Reed Miller reviews the highlights of the clinical trial presentations at the recent Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference in San Francisco.