At this year's International Stroke Conference in San Antonio, some exciting device-based therapies and approaches were discusssed--including advanced imaging, multimodal therapy and stent-like thrombectomy devices--that may offer improved outcomes for patients that suffer an acute ischemic stroke.

The International Stroke Conference, held in San Diego in February 2009, presented several device-based therapies and approaches that could offer improved outcomes for patients that suffer an acute ischemic stroke. The technologies discussed included mechanical thrombectomy devices, laser treatments, and combined therapy using ultrasound, microspheres, and thrombolytic drugs.

Predicting, preventing, and treating stroke has always been challenging for drug and device developers. The sheer number of potential patients and the current scarcity of safe and effective treatment options make this one of the most intriguing markets. Innovation in the device arena continues at a slow but steady pace, and clinicians and patients are beginning to reap the benefits of recent advances.

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