Most of the large, diversified medtech companies have now reported their sales and earnings for the second quarter and first half of 2017. All of the companies in this category reported revenue growth and promised investment in new technologies across all their businesses, but a Baxter and Cardinal Health stand out as having especially successful quarters. Abbott is still trying to overcome major challenges, and J&J is turning around its medical device businesses under new leadership.

US FDA Device-approval volumes were strong during the first half of 2017 for all review pathways. Medtronic and Siemens have so far captured the most 510(k) clearances, with Cook close behind. That and more from Medtech Insight's Approvals Tracker.

This edition of device debuts highlights a wide variety of innovative devices introduced into commercial markets since the beginning of March, including a new stent for side-branch coronary interventions, an assay that identifies which breast-cancer patients do not need chemotherapy, a full ankle prosthesis, improvements to a negative-pressure wound therapy system, and a robotic system that helps paralyzed people learn to walk again.

The German-headquartered firm is making a play to enter the US vascular intervention market, with two stents approved by FDA under original PMAs in the first quarter of 2017. Cardiovascular devices, in general, have gained the most novel-device approvals so far this year, followed by IVDs. Check out more from a Q1 look at US FDA approvals and clearances monitored by Medtech Insight's Approvals Tracker.