Medical Devices and Surgical Technology Week

Information Technology - Los Angeles County, California, extends contract for information systems

Information Technology - Medical cost containment solutions firm releases enhanced drug substitution system

Information Technology - Partners National Health Plan selects HealthTrio to provide ehealth connectivity solution

Information Technology - Single-source public reporting and quality measurement tool launched

Information Technology - Softheon, Inc. introduces healthcare provider contracting software system

Information Technology - Software company, Science Commons team to build neurology repository for Semantic Web

Information Technology - Two-thirds of European physicians say Internet is essential to their practices

Information Technology - U.S. CDC signs $27.6 million contract for disease surveillance system development services

Information Technology - U.S. CDC to integrate geocoding software into electronic disease surveillance system

Information Technology - Union Dental announces completion of HIPAA compliant version of web-based software

Information Technology - ValueOptions software installed to enhance provider network management system

Information Technology - Wireless networks company partners with GE Healthcare to consolidate hospital wireless applications

Kidney Cancer - Kidney displacement simulator used for retroperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy

Legal Issues - Maker of surgical products wins legal dispute over proprietary nonstick technology

Leukemia - Allogeneic transplant overcame poor prognosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Leukemia - Fluorescence in situ hybridization detected cutaneous lesions

Leukemia - Four-color flow cytometry used to detect minimal residual disease in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Liver Cancer - Liver resection with inferior vena cava resection and reconstruction has good long-term outcome

Lung Cancer - Charlson comorbidity index predicted long-term outcome after surgery

Lung Cancer - Gefitinib did not affect surgery-related complications

Lung Cancer - Integrated PET/CT provided greater diagnostic accuracy for lung cancer staging

Lung Cancer - Present-at-admission diagnoses improved mortality risk adjustment of lung cancer

Lung Cancer - Role of imaging in patients with non-small cell lung cancer reviewed

Lymphoma - Autologous stem-cell transplantation resulted in long-term event-free survival

Lymphoma - FDG PET/CT characterized lesions and staged patients with lymphoma

Market Analysis - Blockbuster drugs' market share in danger

Marketing - Medical diagnostics company signs distribution agreement with QuantRX Biomedical

Marketing - Report predicts areas of growth for molecular diagnostics market

Medical Devices - Aethlon Medical provides company updates

Medical Devices - Agreement signed with Dow to provide RxWise, a medication safety checking system

Medical Devices - Antimicrobial medical device coating shows promise in preventing bacterial colonization

Medical Devices - CE Mark granted for cost effective drug eluting stent

Medical Devices - Companies collaborate to develop MRI guided high intensity ultrasound therapy system

Medical Devices - Firms announce availability of Metabolite Database for labs

Medical Devices - Four university cancer centers adopt shRNAmir technology for cancer identification and treatment

Medical Devices - HeartStart Defibrillators meet the newly updated AHA guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Medical Devices - LIFEBRIDGE "plug-and-play" circulatory support system shows promise

Medical Devices - MedLite device highly effective for chronic knee pain relief

Medical Devices - Medical device company announces successful implant of VentrAssist at a Norway hospital

Medical Devices - Medical device company begins U.S. FDA approval process for infusion pump

Medical Devices - Medical device company expands range of serological pipettes

Medical Devices - Microvolt T-Wave Alternans is effective at determining risk of death or ventricular arrhythmia

Medical Devices - Molteno implants reduce intraocular pressure in treatment-refractory eyes

Medical Devices - New catheter launched to percutaneously drain abscesses

Medical Devices - Novel in vivo confocal microscope effective for study of postoperative blebs at cellular level

Medical Devices - Plum A+3 infusion system launched with software

Medical Devices - Ramp System purchased for use by Canadian hospitals in early detection of heart attacks

Medical Devices - Researchers publish new studies and findings in the area of Medical Devices

Medical Devices - Stainless Steel Greenfield Vena Cava Filters recalled

Medical Devices - U.S. FDA grants clearance for GraftCage TLX System

Medical Devices - U.S. FDA grants clearance for over-the-counter sale of portable oxygen generator

Medical Devices - U.S. FDA grants marketing clearance of cardioPAT surgical blood salvage system

Medical Devices - Use of off-pump CPB reduces transient hepatocellular damage

Medical Devices - Vascular wrap/graft combination product receives designation of device for U.S. study

Medicare - Medicare payments for stroke recovery system follow favorable administrative law rulings

Melanoma - 3D MRI delineated tumor shape of ocular melanoma

Melanoma - A new method measures interstitial fluid pressure in tumors

Melanoma - Confocal scanning laser microscopy used for preliminary noninvasive diagnosis

Melanoma - Lymphatic mapping aided management of patients with primary cutaneous melanoma

Melanoma - Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification diagnosed melanocytic tumors

Melatonin - Melatonin reduces reticuloendothelial blockade and improves iron status during inflammation

Mergers & Acquisitions - American Medical Instruments Holdings Inc. acquires component manufacturing company

Mergers & Acquisitions - Cardiac defibrillator maker completes merger consolidation

Mergers & Acquisitions - Dental implant, tissue regeneration company acquires Danish partner DenTech

Mergers & Acquisitions - Diagnostic products company acquires Spectral's rapid cardiac immunoassay test business

Mergers & Acquisitions - Douglas Laboratories acquired by Atrium Biotechnologies for approximately $92 million

Mergers & Acquisitions - Food and animal safety company acquires UCB's dairy antibiotic testing business

Mergers & Acquisitions - Icoria, Inc. acquisition completed

Mergers & Acquisitions - Medical device reprocessing companies to merge

Mergers & Acquisitions - OrthoNetx acquired to form AcuNetx, Inc.

Mergers & Acquisitions - Prevention Group acquires company operating physical examination centers

Nasal Cancer - Gamma knife radiosurgery deemed useful to treat cavernous sinus metastases and invasion

Nephrology - Humoral alloreactivity requires ongoing analysis in kidney transplant recipients

Nephrology - Nephrology fellows perform biopsies at least as well as radiologists

Neurology - Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor associated with cortical dysplasia

Neuroscience - [¹⁸F]FBFPA shows promise as radiotracer for PET imaging of sigma₁ receptors

Nosocomial Infections - Biopharma company initiates phase I trial of candidate for treating resistant infections

Nucleic Acids - U.S. grants Epoch Biosciences patents for genetic analysis technologies

Obesity Diagnostics - SF-36 analysis indicates negative relationship between BMI and utility in obese

Obesity Therapy - Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding improved insulin sensitivity and body composition

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - MRI abnormalities common in OCD patients with poor insight

Occupational Health - Carpal tunnel syndrome may not be caused by workplace computer use

Oncology - "Lab card" whole blood rare cancer cell analyzer developed

Oncology - Cancer surgery procedures encourage hepatocyte growth factor production

Oncology - Findings advance knowledge in oncology research

Ophthalmology - Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus receives U.S. FDA approval for extended wear

Ophthalmology - Domestic pigs model the basics of choroidal neovascularization

Ophthalmology - The Stratus optical coherence tomograph produces fewer artifacts in comparative tests

Orthopedics - License with Univ. of Minnesota secured for distal radius fracture treatment technology

Osteoarthritis - Biopharma company initiates Phase III trial for HCT 3012 in osteoarthritis

Osteoporosis - Bisphosphonate treatment doesn't affect osteoblasts in improved in vitro model

Otorhinolaryngology - IMOLA larynx model improves surgical training

Ovarian Cancer - Integrated whole-body PET/CT used to detect recurrent ovarian cancer

Pain Management - New multi-cervical unit device launched for neck pain

Pain Management - Study shows new MRI technology approach may help control brain, manage chronic pain

Pancreatic Cancer - Standard pancreatoduodenectomy compared to pancreatoduodenectomy with extended lymphadenectomy

Patents - Biopharma company receives patent for TB4 wound healing technology platform in Hong Kong

Patents - Filtration solutions provider files patent infringement suit against Entegris

Patents - Patent granted for multi-gene molecular diagnostics indexes to track health, disease

Patents - U.S. patent granted for noninvasive cervical cancer detection technology

Pelvic Organ Prolapse - Pelvic organ prolapse in women leads to reduced expression of lysyl oxidase

Penile Prosthesis Surgery - Postoperative closed-suction scrotum drainage doesn't increase infection risk

Peripheral Artery Disease - Extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation treats PAD lesions

Personnel - Blood pressure monitor company names Isao Ogino as CEO

Personnel - Bruce Johnson to retire from CFO, senior VP position of medical devices company

Personnel - Central nervous system-focused biopharma firm appoints chief medical officer

Personnel - DNA testing services firm appoints Gordon Brown as senior VP of global laboratory operations

Personnel - DNA-focused medical diagnostics company names Kevin T. Conroy president, CEO

Personnel - Daniel Sutherby named chief financial officer at cardiac device company

Personnel - Gregory L. Bennett named VP of research and development at diagnostics company

Personnel - Haggery and Steadman named as executives at medical device company.

Personnel - John Brancaccio named to board, audit committee of DNA-technologies company

Personnel - John Kane named chairman of the board of sterilization services, products company

Personnel - Joseph "Skip" Klein, III joins RNA-focused pharmaceutical company board

Personnel - Kathleen Mensler named VP of marketing and development by research products company

Personnel - Kenneth Maydew named national sales manager of medical imaging products company

Personnel - Medical publisher names Milos Opravil editor-in-chief of HIV Clinical Trials journal

Personnel - Michael Sloggett named to newly created role of VP of R&D for medical devices company

Personnel - Orthopedic products company names Keith E. Jansen VP and general manager of vascular business

Personnel - Pay By Touch names Steven Yecies Sr. VP and general manager of healthcare business

Personnel - SureScripts forms seven-member advisory council for healthcare IT guidance

Personnel - Terence A. Walts named to board of company developing image-related biomarkers

Personnel - Tom Mander, PhD, named to VP post of chemistry research products, services company

Philanthropy - Aid organization opens medical equipment services and training center in tsunami-affected Indonesia

Product Licensing - Genentech licenses rights to use TAP technology with therapeutic antibodies

Prostate Cancer - Breast pain induced by bicalutamide monotherapy after prostatectomy can be prevented

Prostate Cancer - Cystoprostatectomy used to palliate symptomatic bladder invasion

Prostate Cancer - Efficacy of salvage radiotherapy and relapse predictors evaluated

Prostate Cancer - Extensive biopsy protocol improved prostate cancer detection

Prostate Cancer - General health deteriorated with time after radical prostatectomy

Prostate Cancer - Hypofractionated conformal carbon ion radiotherapy used to treat prostate cancer

Prostate Cancer - Robotic prostatectomy shown to protect sexual function better than conventional surgery

Prostate Cancer - TRUS recommended as the diagnostic standard to determine prostate volume in cancer

Prostate Cancer - erMRI aids DRE or TRUS biopsy findings to localize prostate cancer

Proteomics - NSE and S100B levels correlated with hypoxia outcome in neonatal pigs

Pulmonary Endometriosis - Pulmonary parenchymal endometriosis was localized by CT scans

Pulmonary Hypertension - NDA submitted to U.S. FDA for arformoterol tartrate inhalation solution for COPD

RNA Research - Fujitsu group announces cell-based research evaluation project with Whitehead Institute

Radiation Therapy - Comparable dose distributions achieved via clearly defined planning goals

Radiation Therapy - Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI shows rectal cancer microvascular changes after radiotherapy

Radiotherapy - New findings in radiotherapy described

Reconstructive Surgery - New findings in the area of Reconstructive Surgery detailed

Rectal Cancer - Detection of rectal cancer recurrence was improved by multiplanar reconstruction

Rectal Cancer - Side-to-end anastomosis used for reconstruction after restorative rectal surgery

Renal Cell Cancer - Nephron sparing surgery recommended for multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma

Renal Transplantation - HBsAg positive transplant recipients are at increased risk for mortality and graft failure

Reproductive Medicine - Noninvasive method devised for visualization of molecular events in mammalian zygote

Sapovirus Outbreaks - Sapovirus cause of gastroenteritis outbreak among infants in day care center in Japan

Sarcomas - Vaginal metastasis of alveolar soft part sarcoma occurred

Sexual & Reproductive Health - Study shows most women want treatment that reduces, not eliminates, heavy menstrual flow

Spinal Cord Regeneration - Matrix inclusion improves regenerated axon number in the damaged spinal cord

Spinal Cord Regeneration - Multiple-channel scaffolds promote spinal cord axon regeneration

Steatohepatitis - Duodenal switch improves hepatic steatohepatitis

Stem Cell Legislation - President Bush signs umbilical cord blood bill

Stem Cell Research - Ex vivo system promotes stem-like cell trafficking from ventricles to culture surface

Stem Cell Research - FDA lifts clinical hold on CB001 trial

Stem Cell Research - Nanoscale topography modulates corneal epithelial cell migration

Stem Cell Services - Solana MedSpas signs intent letter to offer adult stem cell microbank collection service

Stem Cell Transplantation - Studies add new findings to Stem Cell Transplantation body of knowledge

Stents - Drug-eluting stents are safe in intracranial atherosclerosis

Stroke - Florida neurology group offering vision restoration therapy to stroke, TBI patients

Stroke - Growth factor augments bone marrow stromal cell transplantation after cerebral infarction in rats

Surgical Technology - Allograft ankle arthrodesis for distal tibial tumors described

Surgical Technology - AngioDynamics and Vascular Solutions face motion for summary judgment

Surgical Technology - CHF morbidity after AVR can be lowered with conduction defect treatment

Surgical Technology - Cosmetic plastic surgery predictions for 2006 issued

Surgical Technology - Guidelines to minimize cerebrospinal fluid leak described

Surgical Technology - Heparin-bonded circuits reduce RBC transfusion rates during elective CABG surgery

Surgical Technology - Hypothermic circulatory arrest enables replacement surgery in patients with unclampable aorta

Surgical Technology - Left atrial radiofrequency ablation during mitral valve surgery improves postoperative sinus rhythm

Surgical Technology - Lesser-metatarsal medial displacement osteotomy effective for transverse deformities

Surgical Technology - New line of articulating surgical tools allow full mobility for 'keyhole' hysterectomy

Surgical Technology - Novel no-clamp technique suitable for patients with "porcelain aorta"

Surgical Technology - Positive human jaw bone reconstruction results reported from feasibility clinical trial

Testicular Cancer - Semen cryopreservation offered chance of paternity to testicular cancer patients

Tinnitus - Tinnitus retraining therapy more effective than partial treatment

Tissue Engineering - Atelocollagen collagen gel improves DNA synthesis and content of nucleus pulposus cells

Tissue Engineering - Composite tissue-engineered intervertebral discs similar to native tissue

Tissue Engineering - Crosslinked chitosan increases the mechanical strength of chitosan scaffolds

Tissue Engineering - DRG neuron subpopulation extends neurites across micropatterned grooves

Tissue Engineering - Endothelial cell sheets can be used to treat damaged corneas

Tissue Engineering - MSCs differentiate into bone and cartilaginous tissues in 3D collagen gel cultures

Tissue Engineering - Perfusion bioreactor system produces clinically relevant volumes of tissue-engineered bone

Tissue Engineering - Trachea reconstructed from tissue engineered human hyaline cartilage

Tissue Engineering - Transplanted chondrocytes seeded on collagen-based scaffold repairs cartilage defects

Transitional Cell Carcinoma - Lymphovascular invasion predicted increased disease specific survival

Transplant Medicine - Cold ischemia, reperfusion injury, and graft CAD share linear link

Transplant Medicine - Fluvastatin benefits support use in renal transplant patients

Transplant Medicine - HeartMate LVAD offers critical support prior to heart transplant

Transplant Medicine - In early peritransplant period after islet infusions, C-peptide levels indicate insulin release

Transplant Medicine - Lack of sensitization, lower CAD were associated with Novacor VAD

Transplant Medicine - Pediatric OKT3 use in transplant rejection is tolerable and safe with monitoring

Transplant Medicine - Researchers report details of new studies and findings in the area of Transplant Medicine

Transplant Medicine - Study shows two-dose daclizumab regimen as safe, effective as five-dose regimen

Transplant Medicine - U.S. FDA grants approval of Grafton DBM products

Transplantation Medicine - Immune responses can be modulated in liver transplantation

Transplantation Medicine - Researchers investigate islet cell transplantation

Tuberculosis-Related Hip Arthroplasty - Immediate cementless total hip arthroplasty successful in active tuberculosis

Urology - Researchers found no difference in quality of life between firm and soft polymer ureteral stents

Vaccine Development - Micro-delivery system licensed by Sanofi Pasteur

Virology - Research in virology provides new insights