Author: sHq_LoGiNz

January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – Medtronic, a global leader in healthcare technology, announced verification study results for its investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia (STA) Annual Meeting.

The company successfully completed pivotal clinical studies for its new Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology. Initial data show that the investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology, when paired with a set of market-released sensors representative of the Nellcor™ pulse oximetry sensor line, demonstrated SpO₂ accuracy better than the FDA’s draft-recommended¹ threshold. Additionally, pulse rate accuracy was within Nellcor™ technology acceptance limits. These results were observed in a sample inclusive of the full range of skin tones.

Pulse oximetry accuracy has historically varied across skin tones, raising concerns about technology that works for all patients. The investigational Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor technology reflects ongoing efforts of Medtronic to deliver its Nellcor™ technology’s consistent SpO₂ and pulse rate accuracy across all skin tones. The company’s commitment to getting it right — for every patient — is why Medtronic opened a clinical physiology lab near the Five Points neighborhood of Denver, Colorado. As a result of their extensive community outreach efforts, Medtronic has conducted its clinical studies not only with a diverse array of participants but with greater speed and frequency, leading to faster innovation.

Previously granted FDA Safer Technologies Program (STeP) designation, the company’s investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor is currently under 510(k) review, marking an important regulatory milestone in efforts by Medtronic to bring this innovation to market.†

“Today’s verification study results demonstrate accuracy across various skin tones, meeting and exceeding both the current U.S. FDA guidance and newer, more-inclusive draft guidance,” said Dr. Randall Clark, principal investigator of the Medtronic clinical physiology lab. “Seeing such positive outcomes with the investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology, paired with Nellcor™ sensors, marks an important step toward advancing medical-grade pulse oximetry that works for every patient.”

The verification studies were conducted in consideration of the evolving regulatory guidance¹ and global standards expectations on pulse oximeters for medical purposes, which recommends accuracy testing across the full spectrum of skin tones and maintaining the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for SpO₂ accuracy within 3%, regardless of sensor type.

Key findings:

• Study design: Three controlled hypoxia studies with 71 participants (ages 20–46) representing diverse skin tones across Monk Skin Tone (MST) cohorts:
  • Light (MST 1–4): 32 participants (45.1%)
  • Medium (MST 5–7): 19 participants (26.8%)
  • Dark (MST 8–10): 20 participants (28.2%)
• SpO₂ accuracy: Investigational Nellcor™ pulse oximetry with Nell-EQ™ intelligent processor paired with Nellcor™ sensors demonstrated SpO₂ RMS accuracy ranging from 1.33% (upper 95% CI: 1.48%) to 1.69% (upper 95% CI: 1.93%), outperforming the FDA draft guidance threshold of 3%.
• Pulse rate accuracy: RMS accuracy remained within 2 bpm, meeting the Nellcor™ technology acceptance criterion of 3 bpm.

“Medtronic is leading the way for pulse oximetry technology that aims to deliver accuracy and inclusivity for every patient, every time,” said Dr. Jeb Denny, chief medical officer of the Medtronic Acute Care & Monitoring business, which is part of the company’s Medical Surgical Portfolio. “Our leadership in this space reflects a commitment to advancing standards that represent all patients and empowering clinicians with world-class technology to deliver safe, equitable care for every patient, in every setting.”

The findings were presented by Medtronic at STA 2026, with Dr. David MacLeod, anesthesiologist at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina, as the healthcare professional author on the abstract.

Learn more about equitable monitoring and the company’s commitment to patient safety at health equity in pulse oximetry monitoring and on Medtronic Academy.

† STeP designation applies to future product candidates. Nellcor™ technology in the scope of the STeP application is 510(k) pending. It is not approved or cleared by the FDA and not available for sale in the U.S. Inclusion in STeP does not guarantee approval, clearance, or granting of future marketing submissions.

Acute Care and Monitoring products should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and are intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment. Note: Oxygen saturation accuracy can be affected by certain environmental, equipment, and patient physiologic conditions that influence readings of SpO2.

References

1. Pulse Oximeters for Medical Purposes – Non-Clinical and Clinical Performance Testing, Labeling, and Premarket Submission Recommendations – Draft Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff. 2025.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts
Amanda Bartschenfeld
Communications
amanda.k.bartschenfeld@medtronic.com

Ingrid Goldberg
Investor Relations
investor.relations@medtronic.com

Chemours’ New Johnsonville titanium dioxide (TiO₂) manufacturing site in Tennessee has achieved Silver Level status in the Tennessee Veteran Ready Business Recognition Program, an honor awarded by the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services. The designation recognizes businesses that actively recruit, hire, and retain service members, veterans, and their families.

Silver Level businesses are considered leaders in advancing Tennessee’s transition from being “Veteran Friendly” to “Veteran Ready.” Through this recognition, the Department of Veterans Services will continue partnering with the site to provide resources and collaboration opportunities that strengthen veteran-focused initiatives.

“We’re honored to receive Silver Level recognition from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services,” said Amanda Smith, New Johnsonville Plant Manager. “This achievement reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where all employees, including service members and veterans, feel valued and supported. Their skills and experiences strengthen our team and help drive our success.”

The New Johnsonville site employs nearly 500 full-time employees and approximately 350 contractors. As the second-largest employer in Humphreys County and one of the largest industrial employers in the Tennessee Valley, the site continues to demonstrate its dedication to workforce diversity and community engagement.

With a legacy of nearly 100 years of innovation, Chemours Ti-Pure™ TiO₂ remains a trusted partner to customers around the globe. Through quality products, reliable supply, and expert service, the team helps meet evolving market needs while delivering the consistency and performance customers expect.

Originally published on Guiding Stars Health & Nutrition News

by Kitty Broihier

The updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) was recently released—a highly anticipated event for many. Dietitians like me, of course, along with people who work in school nutrition, public health and the food retailing world. Why is this a big deal? Because the DGAs help shape major US food and nutrition programs and policies and therefore have a big influence on nutrition in our country. For example, they inform funding priorities for nutrition and health research topics, and help determine food labeling regulations. They also affect decisions about which foods are offered to our school children and military members, and much more. In other words, you may not read the guidelines or choose to follow them personally, but there’s a good chance that they impact you.

The DGA are required by law to reflect up-to-date science and be revised every 5 years. The graphic that accompanies them is also sometimes revised. Since the nature of science is that it’s always changing, it’s expected that the guidelines will change over time. And it’s not unusual for the DGAs to be controversial. For example, experts (including many dietitians) are questioning some of the new recommendations, since they contradict current accepted science and nutritional principles. In fact, the new DGAs deviate dramatically from the 2025 Report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, whose charge is to review the science and make recommendations for the new edition of DGAs.

I’ve written about various editions of the Dietary Guidelines previously. Just like those earlier posts, it’s impossible to do a deep dive into the DGAs in one blog post. However, here are some key takeaways.

New Recommendation: Avoid “Highly Processed Foods”

This is the first time the DGAs use this phrase in an overt recommendation. Given the lack of agreement on how to define “highly processed foods,” this one might be a little tricky for consumers to put into practice. Eating fewer highly processed food items is not a new concept in nutrition—nor is it new to the DGAs. In fact, the guidelines always encourage reliance on whole foods as the basis of a healthy diet. So the current DGAs’ frequent use of the phrase “real food” is really just marketing-speak, not a shift.

Past versions of the guidelines emphasized eating more whole foods and avoiding specific ingredients associated with highly processed foods, including added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and sodium. In essence, it’s the same recommendation—just stated differently. The new DGAs also suggest limiting consumption of artificial flavors, certain food dyes, artificial preservatives, and low- or no-calorie sweeteners. Guiding Stars addresses food ingredients contained in highly processed foods, such as artificial colors and non-nutritive sweeteners, in our “Additives to Limit” debit.

New Recommendation: Eat More Protein

The guidelines now call for a protein intake of 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram body weight, which is roughly twice the level previously recommended. While protein is important, there’s no evidence that there is a “war on protein” in this country. (In fact, I’d venture to say it’s quite the opposite judging by new product introductions and social media coverage.) There are some population groups, such as teenage females and older adults, that could certainly benefit from getting more protein. It is an important macronutrient, but protein deficiency in the U.S. is extremely rare.

What’s more, the previous edition of the DGAs (and the MyPlate graphic) had a general plant-forward approach. This version, however, is decidedly pro-animal protein. The messaging in the guidelines acknowledges the role that plant-based proteins can play in nourishment, but it doesn’t exactly match with the primary positioning of animal foods in the accompanying upside-down pyramid graphic. People can meet protein needs with plant foods as well as animal foods, and we know that plant foods are more environmentally sustainable (and they stretch your grocery dollars too!). Relying on larger amounts of fatty animal proteins can also make it difficult to adhere to the recommended saturated fat limit, which remains the same as before—less than 10% of daily calories.

New Recommendation: Consume Full-Fat Dairy

Dairy products are nutrient-dense and the new guidelines recommend three servings per day, just like the previous version. What’s different is the large emphasis on consuming full-fat dairy products. There is some scientific data showing limited differences between low-/no-fat dairy and full-fat dairy on cardiovascular disease risk. But the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee didn’t find it impactful enough to warrant any changes to the usual recommendation for low-/no-fat dairy.

The administration chose to ignore their decision, however. Whole milk and full-fat dairy now have extra call-outs in both the graphic and the guidelines themselves. The DGAs are encouraging full-fat dairy for everyone at every age. They are also suggesting that people watch their calorie intake and keep saturated fat to less than 10% of total calories, which places responsibility on the individual consumer.

What Else Is New?

Some of the other new additions to the DGAs are laudable, including:

• Suggestion to consume fermented foods, which promotes gut health.
   
• Suggestion to limit added sugar, and avoid completely for kids up to age 10. In the previous edition, this was up to age 2. The guidelines provide some specific targets: less than 10 grams of added sugar per meal, less than 5 grams per grain-based snack, and 2.5 grams per dairy-based snack. This results in essentially the same overall gram recommendation for added sugars as the previous DGAs (less than 50 grams daily for ages 10 and up).

Established nutrition science isn’t as supportive of other new suggestions in the guidelines, including:

• Suggestion to cook with butter and beef tallow, which contain high amounts of saturated fat, conflicting with strong evidence that unsaturated fats are healthier for the heart and arteries.
   
• Loosening of the alcohol intake guideline. Alcohol is a toxin and has many adverse health effects. Previous guidelines recommended a maximum number of drinks per day (no more than two for men and one for women). The new version just says “consume less alcohol,” leaving it up to the consumer to define “less.”

What Is the Same?

Many of the food consumption recommendations are the same as they were in the last version, including things like:

• A focus on nutrient density
   
• Being aware of portion sizes and eating an appropriate amount of food for your needs
   
• Limiting refined carbohydrates and emphasizing whole grains
   
• The general amount of dairy, fruits, and vegetables, although these are now in “servings” instead of cup measures
   
• The suggested upper-level intakes on sodium and saturated fat

Now that the DGAs have been released, the Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel has initiated their standard process of review and will advise on updates to the algorithms if needed.

About Guiding Stars

Guiding Stars is an objective, evidence-based, nutrition guidance program that evaluates foods and beverages to make nutritious choices simple. Products that meet transparent nutrition criteria earn a 1, 2, or 3 star rating for good, better, and best nutrition. Guiding Stars can be found in more than 2,000 grocery stores and through the Guiding Stars Food Finder app.

Image from DietaryGuidelines.gov
 

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS) and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) announce the inclusion of a new testing requirement for Assure Certified® certification under the updated SCS-111 version 2.0 Certification Standard for Rigid Core Resilient Flooring. The newly added requirement is testing to ASTM F3781 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of the Fracture Resistance of a Modular Resilient Flooring’s Profiled Edge(s) to an Applied Vertical Force. Testing must be completed by an independent laboratory.

This additional performance criteria, based on an objective test method, provides customers with an added level of confidence in product performance. It further strengthens an already strong and meaningful multi-attribute certification for Rigid Core Resilient flooring that also includes evaluating indoor air quality, rigorous performance testing for composition, size tolerance, product thickness, wear-layer thickness, as well as testing for heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content.

The Standard and associated certification label (Assure Certified®) were first introduced by SCS Global Services for the RFCI in January of 2020. SCS-111 builds upon the well-established FloorScore® program by incorporating additional performance criteria.

“Assure Certified, underpinned by the SCS-111 version 2.0 standard provides customers heightened confidence in key elements of Rigid Core Resilient flooring products, supporting the growth of this rapidly expanding market,” states Victoria Norman, Executive Director, SCS Standards and Assurance Systems.

“The addition of this new testing method further improves the robust nature of Assure Certified,” states Bill Blackstock, President and CEO of RFCI. “Simply put, this multi-attribute certification, which includes on-site audits of the manufacturing facilities, delivers meaningful perspective on a number of fronts to consumers of Rigid Core Resilient flooring.”

To download a copy of the standard, please visit the SCS Standards Website: Certification Standard for Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring | SCS Standards

For Assure Certified Certification Services, please visit the SCS Global Services Website: ASSURE CERTIFIED™ | SCS Global Services

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of

the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About RFCI

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), based in LaGrange, GA, is the resilient flooring industry’s association that provides support for a network of global resilient flooring manufacturers and companies in the supply chain. The mission of RFCI is to enhance the long-term growth and well-being of the North American resilient floor covering industry. RFCI’s goals include embracing key strategic industry issues, engaging federal and state government agencies in policy discussions, developing meaningful certification programs that are valued by all parties, contributing to technical considerations, and promoting the resilient flooring category. www.rfci.com

Press Contacts:

SCS Global Services:

Rachel Barnhart

RBarnhart@scsglobalservices.com

EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 22, 2026 /3BL/ – SCS Global Services (SCS) and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) announce the inclusion of a new testing requirement for Assure Certified® certification under the updated SCS-111 version 2.0 Certification Standard for Rigid Core Resilient Flooring. The newly added requirement is testing to ASTM F3781 – Standard Test Method for Measurement of the Fracture Resistance of a Modular Resilient Flooring’s Profiled Edge(s) to an Applied Vertical Force. Testing must be completed by an independent laboratory.

This additional performance criteria, based on an objective test method, provides customers with an added level of confidence in product performance. It further strengthens an already strong and meaningful multi-attribute certification for Rigid Core Resilient flooring that also includes evaluating indoor air quality, rigorous performance testing for composition, size tolerance, product thickness, wear-layer thickness, as well as testing for heavy metals and ortho-phthalates content.

The Standard and associated certification label (Assure Certified®) were first introduced by SCS Global Services for the RFCI in January of 2020. SCS-111 builds upon the well-established FloorScore® program by incorporating additional performance criteria.

“Assure Certified, underpinned by the SCS-111 version 2.0 standard provides customers heightened confidence in key elements of Rigid Core Resilient flooring products, supporting the growth of this rapidly expanding market,” states Victoria Norman, Executive Director, SCS Standards and Assurance Systems.

“The addition of this new testing method further improves the robust nature of Assure Certified,” states Bill Blackstock, President and CEO of RFCI. “Simply put, this multi-attribute certification, which includes on-site audits of the manufacturing facilities, delivers meaningful perspective on a number of fronts to consumers of Rigid Core Resilient flooring.”

To download a copy of the standard, please visit the SCS Standards Website: Certification Standard for Rigid Core Vinyl Flooring | SCS Standards

For Assure Certified Certification Services, please visit the SCS Global Services Website: ASSURE CERTIFIED™ | SCS Global Services

About SCS Global Services 

SCS Global Services is an international leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in climate mitigation, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, consumer products, and more. Headquartered in Emeryville, California and celebrating over 40 years in business, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe, and Africa. Its broad network of auditors are experts in their fields, and the company is a trusted partner to companies, agencies, and advocacy organizations due to its dedication to quality and professionalism. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. SCS is also a Participant of

the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principles-based approach to responsible business. For more information, visit www.SCSGlobalServices.com.

About RFCI

The Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI), based in LaGrange, GA, is the resilient flooring industry’s association that provides support for a network of global resilient flooring manufacturers and companies in the supply chain. The mission of RFCI is to enhance the long-term growth and well-being of the North American resilient floor covering industry. RFCI’s goals include embracing key strategic industry issues, engaging federal and state government agencies in policy discussions, developing meaningful certification programs that are valued by all parties, contributing to technical considerations, and promoting the resilient flooring category. www.rfci.com

Press Contacts:

SCS Global Services:

Rachel Barnhart

RBarnhart@scsglobalservices.com