This week, 18 Health Care Equipment & Supplies stocks are improving their overall rating on Portfolio Grader. Each of these rates an “A” (“strong buy”) or “B” overall (“buy”).

C. R. Bard, Inc. (BCR) shows solid improvement this week. The company’s rating rises from a B to a A. C. R. Bard, Inc. is engaged in the design, manufacture, packaging, distribution and sale of medical, surgical, diagnostic and patient care devices. The company also gets A’s in earnings momentum and return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of BCR stock.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) gets a higher grade this week, advancing from a C last week to a B. Becton, Dickinson and Company is a global medical technology company engaged in the development, manufacture, and sale of medical devices, instrument systems, and reagents. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of BDX stock.

This is a strong week for Stryker Corporation (SYK). The company’s rating climbs to A from the previous week’s B. Stryker Corporation produces a variety of products in the medical technology sector. The company also gets A’s in earnings growth, earnings momentum, and return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of SYK stock.

Medtronic Plc (MDT) earns a B this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of C. Medtronic Plc develops therapeutic and diagnostic medical products. The company also gets A’s in sales growth. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of MDT stock.

The rating of St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ) moves up this week, rising from a C to a B. St. Jude Medical, Inc. makes and distributes cardiovascular medical devices. The company also gets A’s in return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of STJ stock.

ResMed Inc.’s (RMD) ratings are looking better this week, moving up to a B from last week’s C. ResMed Inc. develops, manufactures and distributes medical equipment for treating, diagnosing and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. The company also gets A’s in return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of RMD stock.

Smith & Nephew PLC Sponsored ADR (SNN) improves from a C to a B rating this week. Smith & Nephew PLC Sponsored ADR develops, manufactures, markets and sells of medical devices in the sectors of orthopaedics, endoscopy and advanced wound management. The company also gets A’s in sales growth, earnings growth, and free cash flow. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of SNN stock.

Invacare Corporation (IVC) is seeing ratings go up from a C last week to a B this week. Invacare Corporation manufactures and distributes health care products to the non-acute care market on a worldwide basis. The company also gets A’s in earnings momentum. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of IVC stock.

This week, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) pushes up from a B to a A rating. Boston Scientific Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of BSX stock.

Rockwell Medical, Inc. (RMTI) boosts its rating from a C to a B this week. Rockwell Medical, Inc. manufactures, markets, and delivers dialysis solutions, powders, and ancillary products to hemodialysis providers. The company also gets A’s in earnings revisions and earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of RMTI stock.

This week, Mazor Robotics Ltd Sponsored ADR’s (MZOR) ratings are up from a C last week to a B. The company also gets A’s in sales growth, earnings revisions, and earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of MZOR stock.

This week, Misonix, Inc. (MSON) pushes up from a C to a B rating. Misonix, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets and develops minimally invasive ultrasonic medical device products. The company also gets A’s in operating margin growth, earnings growth, and return on equity. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of MSON stock.

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.’s (CEMI) ratings are looking better this week, moving up to a B from last week’s C. Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. develops, manufactures, and markets rapid diagnostic tests that detect infectious diseases. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of CEMI stock.

This week, AxoGen, Inc.’s (AXGN) ratings are up from a B last week to a A. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and earnings revisions. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of AXGN stock.

Volitionrx Limited (VNRX) shows solid improvement this week. The company’s rating rises from a C to a B. The company also gets A’s in earnings surprise. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of VNRX stock.

Pro-Dex, Inc. (PDEX) is seeing ratings go up from a C last week to a B this week. Pro-Dex, Inc. designs, develops and manufactures rotary drive systems for the medical device and dental industries, motion control software and hardware for industrial and scientific applications and fractional horsepower DC motors for aerospace, medical and military applications. The company also gets A’s in sales growth and earnings growth. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of PDEX stock.

The rating of Vermillion Inc (VRML) moves up this week, rising from a C to a B. Vermillion Inc engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of diagnostics tests that help physicians to diagnose, treat, and improve outcomes for patients. The company also gets A’s in sales growth. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of VRML stock.

Electromed, Inc. (ELMD) earns a B this week, jumping up from last week’s grade of C. Electromed, Inc. manufactures, markets and sells products that provide airway clearance therapy for patients with compromised pulmonary function. The company also gets A’s in earnings surprise and free cash flow. For more information, get Portfolio Grader’s complete analysis of ELMD stock.

Louis Navellier’s proprietary Portfolio Grader stock ranking system assesses roughly 5,000 companies every week based on a number of fundamental and quantitative measures. Stocks are given a letter grade based on their results — with A being “strong buy,” and F being “strong sell.” Explore the tool here.