Justice Department investigates stent use

Natick medical-device maker Boston Scientific Corp. said the Justice Department is looking into allegations that Boston Scientific and other makers of bile-duct stents improperly promoted the devices for unapproved uses, Bloomberg News and Dow Jones Newswires reported.

Bloomberg and Dow Jones said that Boston Scientific disclosed the investigation in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In the filing, Boston Scientific said it was cooperating with authorities and described the investigation as civil rather than criminal.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)