The Mayo Clinic is among medical centers testing a device for patients whose high blood pressure does not respond to drugs. Medtronic's device uses a groundbreaking treatment to disrupt nerve signals that elevate blood pressure. But to qualify for the trial, patients must meet strict requirements that are challenging clinics and frustrating rejected patients.

The Fridley-based medical device maker plans to eliminate positions in facilities around the globe, including 220 positions at its Mounds View-based division. Medtronic topped expectations in the fourth quarter, but continues to struggle with the sale of heart rhythm devices as well as devices used in spine surgery.

Four juveniles were arrested following a fight at Walker-Hackensack-Akeley High School Wednesday. Police responded after the school requested help for an altercation between students that began in the high school cafeteria.

Officials at John Marshall High School aren’t sharing details but say no students were hurt. The Post-Bulletin says 18 students have been suspended so far but that number could grow.

A respected Indian business publication is reporting that Medtronic is negotiating with an Indian medical technology company to make a strategic investment in it. Trivitron Healthcare is reportedly India’s largest med tech company. The Fridley-based company has not commented specifically on the deal, however, CEO Omar Ishrak has made no secrets about his interest in India.

Minnesota high school graduates continue to beat the national average in the ACT college entrance exam, even though 2012 graduates scored slightly lower than 2011 graduates, MPR reports. Minnesota ranked at the top among states where a majority of students take the test.

British regulators warn the device has a battery defect that can fail to properly shock a heart back into a normal rhythm. Patients are encouraged to see their cardiologists to ensure an audible "low-battery" alert is working properly. Fridley-based Medtronic denied any wrong doing, but settled lawsuits regarding battery issues in its Marquis line of defibrillators less than four years ago.

After a solid last year and last quarter, Medtronic Inc. CEO Omar Ishrak is reiterating that his company's commitment is to growth through globalization, innovation and enhancing value, not just creating new medical technology products. It's what Ishrak has consistently preached in the year-plus since he took the helm at the world's largest medical device company.