The medical device industry is undergoing a crisis of funding, but not of confidence, according to a panel of investors convened at Windhover's recent medtech conference, In3 West,. The conference panel sought to explore how the medical device investment community is operating in these troubled times, how they will invest going forward, and how they will support their companies if things don't improve. We were especially curious to know if the funding challenges that start-ups face are really due to the overall dire economy, or if that dark cloud merely masks changing fundamentals in the medical device industry that are making it more difficult for companies to find funding, gain FDA approval, and enjoy a healthy exit. Our panel weighs in on the matter.

Calypso Medical Technologies aims to improve on the precision of cancer radiation therapy with technology that, like global positioning systems, tracks actual organ positioning in real-time, enabling radiation therapists to accurately target the tumor or treatment area and avoid hitting healthy organs.

Investors approved of Boston Scientific's decision to purchase Advanced Bionics, which offers a wealth of new possibilities in areas in which BSC is already a leader--cardiology, urology, neurology, and gastroenteroloy. More than that, Advanced Bionics presents completely new and untapped businesses in neurostimulation.