Pioneer Surgical Technology, Inc. has announced that the human implantation of its nanOss(TM)- Cervical cage has been carried out successfully. Designed to work as a bone, the device was used for standard cervical fusion surgeries performed at hospitals in China. The biologic inter-body spacer was used in combination with routine rigid fixation. The nanOss technology makes it two times stronger than PEEK cages.

VertiFlex® Inc. has launched its Silverbolt™ Plus, a for posterior lumbar fixation solution. The system is designed to help surgeons in various types of approaches – open, mini-open and percutaneous, for fixation of the lumbar spine. The single instrument set, said Earl Fender, CEO, Vertiflex, will support a variety of surgical applications such as percutaneous dynamic stabilization and percutaneous delivery of vertebral levels. The company develops motion preservation technologies and minimally invasive solutions for the treatment of spine disorders.

Israeli company MCS Medical Compression Systems has come up with a non-invasive device, ActiveCare+SFT, which supports blood circulation in the limbs, thereby preventing deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Formation of blood clots deep inside the body can have dangerous consequences. Thus, it has become a major concern for the surgeons. Anticoagulants prevent clot formation, but increase bleeding risk. The mobile system has compression sleeves which can be wrapped around the foot of the patient during the surgery. Identifying the blood flow in the veins of the patient, the device synchronizes its functioning to the natural rhythm.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved BSD Medical Corporation’s microwave surgical device MicroThermx, which is designed for use by surgeons to ablate soft tissue. This is used as a treatment for coronary artery disease by restoring blood flow to the heart. It is a moveable device that includes a computer, microwave generator and disposable applicators. The company has made a point that after the sale of system, use of disposable parts would give the company a source of ongoing revenue.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted PEAK Surgical, Inc 510(k) clearance to market its PEAK(R) Surgery System for use in general surgery. The medical device company has developed this new tissue dissection system based on a proprietary technology. It combines the PULSAR Generator, which supplies pulsed plasma radiofrequency energy, with the PEAK PlasmaBlade 4.0, a low-temperature surgical cutting and coagulation tool. This will make the cutting process more accurate and control bleeding. The new surgery system will be available in the market by next month.

Zimmer Holdings Inc., an orthopedic implant maker, has temporarily recalled and suspended production of several surgical support accessories produced at its Dover, Ohio, facility. This company expects this move to result in lost revenues of $70-$80 million. The recall was initiated after the products failed to meet internal quality standards during the quality systems review at the Ohio site, the company said.

St. Jude Medical Inc.has received approval from U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European CE Mark for its Strada Carotid Guiding Sheath. The equipment is a flexible tube available in 80 and 90 cm working lengths through which physicians can deliver balloon catheters, stents and other tools to open blockages in the carotid arteries.

Vascular Insights LLC has achieved 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market its ClariVein infusion catheter. The catheter infuses physician-specified agents in the peripheral vasculature. It contains a rotating wire driven by a motor that enhances fluid dispersion in the treatment area.

An independent clinical study conducted by the U.S. Army combat support surgeons in Baghdad shows that a new medical device used to close a type of surgical wound more quickly is saving lives and limbs of soldiers and civilians. A team of battle zone surgeons, led by Maj. Niten Singh, used Canica Design Inc.’s ABRA(R) Surgical Skin Closure System to successfully implement a new surgical regimen called dynamic wound closure (DWC). Dr. Singh said that the use of Canica’s system enabled them to close fasciotomies in an average 2.6 days, several times faster than other techniques.

Smith & Nephew’s Endoscopy Division announced the launch of the FOOTPRINT PK Suture Anchor, a system used to attach rotator cuff tissue to bone in the shoulder. The system delivers a Transosseous Equivalent (TOE) repair without the need for drilling transosseous bone tunnels.