Integra LifeSciences is marketing its LimiTorr Volume Limiting CSF Drainage System as the latest addition to its cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) drainage product line, which helps manage the intracranial pressure of a neuro-compromised patient or a patient undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery. The system can be used for lumbar and ventricular drainage and includes a volume-limiting valve mechanism which halts drainage when the pre-determined volume of 20 mL or 30 mL is met.

Angiotech Pharmaceuticals is halting enrollment in clinical trials for Vascular Wrap, which is being evaluated in patients undergoing surgery for hemodialysis access, pending a safety review. The company has been conducting the study in the U.S. and Europe on two groups, one which received the wrap in combination with a graft and one which received the graft alone. After reviewing a summary of interim adverse events, a data safety monitoring board has informed the company that one of the two study groups had a greater incidence of implant site infection.

 EPIX Pharmaceuticals Inc. has achieved positive results from the blinded, independent re-read of images of its novel blood pool magnetic resonance angiographic (MRA) agent, Vasovist (gadofosveset trisodium). EPIX met all pre-specified endpoints in the re-read of images obtained from previous phase III studies and intends to resubmit a New Drug Application (NDA) for the agent in mid-2008. There are currently no contrast agents approved in the United States for use with MRA, a non-invasive modality for imaging blood vessels.

Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, DePuy Spine Inc, has launched the CONCORDE Bullet Vertebral Body Replacement, a new implant with a bulleted nose, which facilitates easy insertion, and pyramidal teeth, which resist anterior migration during posterior and minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures. The CONCORDE Bullet minimizes insertion forces, which can reduce the risk of damage to vertebral bodies. The product is easy to insert between collapsed vertebral bodies and restores height. Once inserted, its pyramid-shaped teeth provide resistance to anterior migration.

Dr Shane Grey of the Garvan Institute for Medical Research and Professor John Dalton of the Institute for the Biotechnology of Infectious Diseases are working towards copying the parasites’ tactic of making the body accept transplanted tissues or organs. Parasites work by deviating the immune system so that it is unable to come up with an effective response.

According to a report to be published in the Journal of Arthroplasty, a new surgical technique, called cellular grafting, was performed on three young patients suffering from steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the knee. This surgical technique involved pelvic area cellular material transplantation into the knee. The orthopedic surgeon, Stuart Goodman, MD, PhD, who performed the operation, said that all three patients returned to near normal activity.