New Rx for the body | 9

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New Rx for the body

As Big Pharma's pipeline for blockbuster drugs slows, med tech giants are helping to fill the gap with devices that treat everything from migraines to severe depression.

By Melanie Haiken, Business 2.0 Magazine

9 of 9

...And coming in 2009

Leg

THE DEVICE: Migraine neutralizer

WHAT IT WILL DO: New research has linked migraine headaches with the existence of a tiny congenital hole between the upper chambers of the heart. Scientists are testing new implants that, when inserted through a vein in the upper leg, will patch and seal the hole and alleviate migraines for some of the 28 million Americans who suffer from them. An added bonus: The implant may also reduce the risk of stroke.

WHO'S DEVELOPING IT: AGA Medical, Boston Scientific (BSX), Cierra, NMT Medical (NMTI), St. Jude Medical (STJ)

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