A whistleblower has accused Boston Scientific Corp., Medtronic Inc. and five other companies of promoting surgical devices for unapproved uses, cheating the federal Medicare program, according to legal documents unsealed Tuesday in Houston.

The documents unsealed in federal court in Houston allege name Boston Scientific Corp., St.

Seven medical device companies, including Medtronic Inc. and St. Jude Medical Inc.

In a flurry of announcements Thursday, federal regulators gave approval for medical devices made by several firms with strong Twin Cities-area ties.

Main Category: Medical Devices / Diagnostics Also Included In: Litigation / Medical Malpractice Whistleblowers allege in lawsuits unsealed Wednesday that some medical device companies gave kickbacks to heart surgeons to get the doctors to use their products to treat a heart condition, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Boston Scientific Corp., Medtronic Inc. and five other companies promoted surgical devices for unapproved uses, cheating the federal Medicare program, a whistleblower said in lawsuits unsealed in Houston.

Legg Mason Inc. shares climbed Monday evening after the asset-management firm swung to a better-than-expected profit.

Filed under: Before the bell , International markets , Earnings reports , Deals , Market matters , Boston Scientific , CIT Group , Texas Instruments , Economic data , Oil U.S. stock futures advanced Monday after it was reported Sunday CIT Group may get a private sector emergency financing.

Minyan Morning Memo One to Watch: Boston Scientific reports earnings today. The medical technology company brought in a well regarded new CEO last week as it aims to diversify its product offering and continue to cut costs.

Every day, the sun rises on Wall Street, and a plethora of professional analysts wake to issue new opinions on stocks.