本报（chinatimes.net.cn）记者郭怡琳 于娜 北京报道 在人工心脏领域，一封关切函激起关于科学透明、术语严谨与患者安危的层层波澜。 近日，国际人工器官联合会官方期刊《Artificial Organs（人工器官）》刊登了标题为"Expression of Concern（关切函）"的致编辑信，矛头直指当前人工心脏血泵技术术语使用混乱。一枚仅90克重的人工 心脏，能否被冠以"全磁悬浮"之名，成为全球顶尖科学家和企业交锋的焦点。 据悉，该文作者为美国人工器官学会终身成就奖获得者Kurt Dasse博士。其严厉指出，"CorHeart 6的核 心技术被独立专家描述为'配备了磁力辅助的双流体动力轴承的离心泵'。"而该产品制造商宣称为"全磁 悬浮装置"。 Kurt Dasse接受《华夏时报》记者采访时表示，"我撰写此文旨在提高业界意识。随着新的机械辅助装置 进入市场，有必要对装置血液相容性产生重大影响的基础技术描述、分类和透明度进行标准化。轴承技 术的差异直接影响血液损伤机制，甚至关系到患者安全。更具体地说，需要规范描述血泵中用于主要运 行模式的轴承类别。" 术语迷雾 心力衰竭是一种心血管病发展到终末期的 ...

Core Insights - Dividend aristocrat stocks are essential for investors aiming for stability and long-term wealth creation, as they have consistently increased dividends for at least 25 years, showcasing financial discipline and commitment to shareholders [1][2] Dividend Aristocrats Overview - Dividend aristocrats serve as a hedge against economic uncertainty, providing downside protection and consistent payout increases, making them suitable anchors in diversified portfolios [2] - Five highlighted dividend aristocrats for 2026 include Atmos Energy Corporation, Medtronic plc, PepsiCo, Inc., Caterpillar Inc., and S&P Global Inc., all of which exhibit robust dividend growth and steady returns [3][8] Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) - ATO has raised its annual dividend for 42 consecutive years, with a current quarterly dividend of $1 per share and an annual dividend yield of 2.38% [3][4] - The new dividend for fiscal 2026 is $4 per share, reflecting a nearly 15% increase from fiscal 2025 [4] Medtronic plc (MDT) - MDT has increased its dividend for 48 consecutive years, with a current quarterly dividend of 71 cents and an annual dividend yield of 2.84% [5][6] - The company is expanding its global presence, particularly in the Cardiovascular business, despite facing near-term supply and tariff-related challenges [6] PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP) - PEP has raised its annualized dividend by 5% in 2025, reaching $5.69 per share, marking its 53rd consecutive annual dividend increase [7][9] - The company plans to return $8.6 billion to shareholders in 2025, including $7.6 billion in dividends and $1 billion in buybacks, with an annual dividend yield of 3.78% [9] Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) - CAT has a long history of dividend payments, having raised dividends for 32 consecutive years, with a recent quarterly dividend hike of 7% to $1.51 per share [10][11] - The company returned approximately $1.1 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases in Q3 2025, with an annual dividend yield of 1.01% [11] S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) - SPGI has increased its dividend annually for over 50 years, with a current quarterly dividend of 96 cents and an annualized dividend of $3.84 per share [12][13] - The company reported a strong adjusted operating profit margin of 52.1% and generated free cash flow of $1.4 billion in the last quarter [14]

Core Insights - The article highlights the acceleration of business development (BD) activities in the medical device sector from September to November 2025, with a total of 58 transactions identified across various subfields, including cardiovascular, nuclear medicine, and AI-enabled devices [2][3][4]. Group 1: Mergers and Acquisitions - Mergers and acquisitions have become a prominent form of BD, with companies leveraging capital control and product integration for rapid market positioning [7][8]. - Notable acquisitions include HeartLink's $680 million all-stock acquisition of Micro-Invasive Cardiology, enhancing its structural heart disease and rhythm management capabilities [7]. - Hua'an Zhonghui's acquisition of Bangni Medical marks its entry into the absorbable suture market, indicating a shift in surgical instrument competition towards material innovation [7]. Group 2: Strategic Collaborations - Strategic partnerships have been formed during the China International Import Expo, with companies like Shanghai Pharmaceuticals collaborating with international giants such as Boston Scientific and Medtronic to enhance their supply chain and academic promotion systems [7][8]. - The collaboration between GuoYao Medical and BDI Medical aims to deepen market penetration in the biomedicine and medical device sectors, focusing on compliance and distribution channel construction [13]. Group 3: Cross-Border Cooperation - Cross-border transactions have become more active, with foreign companies establishing local R&D and production systems in China, while domestic firms are exporting their solutions globally [9][10]. - The partnership between Trasis SA and Beijing Pait Biotechnology to establish a joint venture reflects a trend towards localized production and phased integration in the Chinese market [12]. Group 4: Ecosystem Building and Channel Expansion - The integration of supply chains and ecosystem building is a key theme, with companies focusing on collaborative agreements to enhance their market presence [11][15]. - The collaboration between Baxter and Neusoft Medical aims to create a comprehensive surgical solution by integrating their respective technologies [12]. Group 5: AI and Smart Healthcare - AI and data-driven approaches are becoming central to BD collaborations, with companies increasingly focusing on smart healthcare solutions [16][17]. - The partnership between Kefu Medical and Tencent Cloud to develop AI-powered hearing aids exemplifies the trend of integrating technology into healthcare products [21]. Group 6: Research and Diagnostic Synergy - The frequency of research-oriented collaborations is rising, indicating a shift from manufacturing-driven to research-driven industry dynamics [18][19]. - The collaboration between BGI and Infinera to enhance clinical applications of sequencing technology highlights the growing importance of research in driving innovation in the medical device sector [21].

Core Viewpoint - Medtronic has had a strong year despite tariff challenges, with positive financial results and a bright outlook for the next year [1][2] Financial Performance - Medtronic's market capitalization stands at $128 billion, with a gross margin of 59.95% and a dividend yield of 2.82% [7] - The company reported trailing-12-month revenue of $34.76 billion, with potential revenue from urologic procedures estimated at $835 million if it captures a 10% market share of Intuitive Surgical's $8.35 billion revenue from that segment [7] Product Development - Medtronic's Hugo system, a robotic-assisted surgery device, has received U.S. regulatory clearance for urologic procedures, marking a significant milestone for the company [6] - The RAS market is underpenetrated, with fewer than 5% of eligible surgeries currently performed robotically, indicating substantial growth potential for Medtronic's Hugo system [5][8] Competitive Landscape - The Hugo system will compete with Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system, which is well-established in the urology market, representing a significant challenge for Medtronic [6] - Convincing healthcare facilities to adopt the Hugo system over the da Vinci system will require time and effort [6] Long-term Growth Potential - Medtronic plans to seek additional indications for the Hugo system beyond urology, which could drive future procedure volume growth [8] - The aging global population is expected to fuel growth in the healthcare sector, benefiting Medtronic in the long run [9] Dividend Policy - Medtronic has increased its dividend for 48 consecutive years, positioning itself to become a Dividend King in the near future [11] - The company's strong dividend program is attractive to long-term income-seeking investors [10][11]

除了本土的创新与合作，美敦力也注重人才培训与产业赋能。曹珊表示，目前中国是美敦力全球范围内 唯一拥有两座创新中心的单一市场。在上海和成都的两座创新中心累计培训25万人次的医护人员。同 时，美敦力利用风险投资基金，发掘、赋能和投资中国具有创新意义的医疗器械公司，帮助他们的产品 加速服务更多中国患者，甚至出海服务全球患者。 中国财富网讯 12月13日，"2025·第十五届国际跨国公司领袖圆桌会议"在北京昌平举办。美敦力全球副 总裁曹珊出席并发表主旨演讲。她表示，作为深耕中国36年的跨国医疗企业，美敦力正从"技术输入 者"转型为"本土生态共建者"，通过创新实践助力中国医疗高质量发展。 美敦力全球副总裁曹珊发表主旨演讲 曹珊分享了美敦力在中国本土化创新的两大实践路径。首先，美敦力积极拥抱数字化与人工智能浪潮。 美敦力于今年10月在北京经开区落地全球数字化医疗创新基地，聚焦心血管、微创外科、神经科学等领 域，加速数字化医疗创新成果的本地化转化与应用。其次，美敦力重点推动"本土医工结合"。曹珊表 示，美敦力与中国临床专家共同研发了全新的"树脂起搏心脏导管"疗法，用于治疗心律失常。该成果是 美敦力结合本土创新再反哺全球的典 ...

Core Insights - The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), enhancing market competition and improving clinical outcomes [2] - The IMD AI Maturity Index highlights effective practices of industry leaders such as Bayer, Medtronic, and AstraZeneca, providing a reference path for organizations looking to enhance their AI capabilities [2] Leadership-Driven Transformation - Key to achieving AI maturity in healthcare is decisive action at the board level and commitment from executives, with successful companies positioning AI as a core strategic element [3] - Bayer announced a $1.4 billion investment in digital transformation in 2022, establishing AI and data science as foundational technologies [3] - Medtronic's CEO emphasizes AI as a strategic differentiator and has established an AI Center of Excellence to coordinate AI projects across the company [3] Advanced Technologies - AstraZeneca has developed an AI-driven knowledge graph to integrate complex biological relationships, enabling the identification of disease mechanisms and potential drug targets [6] - Medtronic's GI Genius™ module is an AI-assisted colonoscopy tool that enhances diagnostic accuracy, while their Live Stream technology provides real-time guidance during surgeries [7] - Bayer has created a computational platform for simulating biological systems to predict treatment outcomes, showcasing its strategic focus on innovative medical diagnostic technologies [7] Operational Integration - Leading companies have deeply embedded AI into their operational processes, focusing on efficiency, cost reduction, and business performance optimization [10] - AstraZeneca has reformed clinical trial design using machine learning to analyze historical data, improving trial efficiency and reducing patient exposure to placebos [10] - Medtronic has integrated AI across its operations, establishing a Center of Excellence to standardize data governance and model deployment [10] Talent Development - Medtronic is expanding its IT center in India with a $60 million investment, planning to hire 300 employees focused on advanced technologies including AI [13] - AstraZeneca is building multidisciplinary teams that combine medical expertise with data science capabilities to enhance collaboration in AI implementation [13] - Bayer's digital transformation investment includes resources to enhance employee AI capabilities across its pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors [13] Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem - Industry leaders are expanding capabilities through specialized partnerships to accelerate innovation while respecting the collaborative research traditions of the medical field [15] - Bayer collaborates with clinical research institutions and technology experts to develop AI platforms for cancer target identification [15] - AstraZeneca partners with academic and biotech firms to enhance its innovation ecosystem, investing in projects that combine clinical trial expertise with immune system modeling [15] Ethical Governance - The need for a dedicated governance framework for medical AI is emphasized, addressing unique issues such as patient safety and diagnostic accountability [17] - Medtronic's AI Compass guides ethical AI application, ensuring patient safety and transparency [17] - AstraZeneca's ethical framework focuses on sensitive issues related to early disease prediction and informed consent [17] AI Maturity Roadmap - The healthcare and pharmaceutical industry demonstrates how systematic development of AI capabilities can create sustainable competitive advantages, improving patient outcomes and accelerating innovation cycles [18] - Organizations excelling in the five dimensions of AI maturity consistently outperform peers in treatment innovation and regulatory compliance [18]

Core Insights - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes, aiming for sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] - The investment group emphasizes high-yield, dividend growth investment ideas, targeting dividend yields up to 10% [2] Investment Strategy - The investment approach is defensive, with a medium- to long-term horizon, catering to investors seeking dependable monthly income [2] - The group provides research on various asset classes including REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions [2] Market Context - Value investing can be challenging as stocks may remain undervalued or overvalued for extended periods, similar to the current situation with many AI stocks [2]

Core Insights - iREIT+HOYA Capital focuses on income-producing asset classes, aiming for sustainable portfolio income, diversification, and inflation hedging [1][2] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The service targets high-yield, dividend growth investment ideas, particularly in defensive stocks with a medium- to long-term horizon [2] - Income-focused portfolios are designed to achieve dividend yields up to 10% [2] Group 2: Research and Analysis - The group provides investment research on various asset classes including REITs, ETFs, closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions [2]

Group 1 - Medtronic's Hugo™ robotic-assisted surgical system has received FDA approval for use in urological surgeries, marking a significant entry into the U.S. market [1][2][8] - The Hugo RAS system is approved for minimally invasive urological procedures, including prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and cystectomy, with approximately 230,000 such surgeries performed annually in the U.S. [2][9] - Medtronic plans to expand the application of the Hugo RAS system to other surgical specialties beyond urology, including general and gynecological surgeries [2][10] Group 2 - The U.S. is the largest surgical robotics market globally, with a market size of $4.6 billion in 2020, accounting for 55.1% of the global market [2][12] - Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci surgical system has dominated the market since its FDA approval in 2000, with Q3 2025 revenue of $2.51 billion, a 23% year-over-year increase [3][11] - Medtronic's Hugo system, which has been in development since 2019 and received CE certification in 2021, is now positioned to compete directly with the da Vinci system in the U.S. market [4][12] Group 3 - The Chinese surgical robotics market, while currently smaller than the U.S. market, shows significant growth potential, with a market size of $318.4 million in 2020 projected to reach $2.3153 billion by 2026, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 39.2% [4][12] - Recent financing activities in the Chinese market indicate strong investor interest, with companies like Ruijian Surgical and Agile Medical securing substantial funding [5][13] - The competition in the surgical robotics market is intensifying, with multiple players vying for market share [6][14]

This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Medtronic has changed its investor relations leadership team in preparation for spinning off its diabetes division, the company said on Friday. Ryan Weispfenning, vice president and head of investor relations at Medtronic, is moving to the diabetes spinout MiniMed. Weispfenning will establish and lead the investor relations function at MiniMed. Medtro ...