An analysis of acquisitions of privately held venture-backed medical device companies delivers some signs of hope as well as important warnings for medical device VCs hoping to find a lucrative exit in this difficult market.

Covidien's acquisiton of ev3 is cause for a review of the dozen device companies that went public in 2005.

Amicas Inc. offers a broad set of solutions for Internet-based image management, with a focus on the radiology department.

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, New Approaches to Neurodegenerative Disorders, features profiles of Active Pass Pharmaceuticals Inc., Aegera Therapeutics Inc., Panacea Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Proteotech Inc. Plus these selected Start-Ups across Health Care: Amicas Inc., CFY Biomedicals Inc., MDISource and Visco Technologies Inc.