A Medical Device Daily

IlluminOss Medical (East Providence, Rhode Island) reported receipt of the CE mark for its IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System for orthopedic surgery.

Unlike traditional methods of treating fractures, which often involve a large incision being made and plates and screws inserted to stabilize the fracture, the IlluminOss system requires just a 4.5 mm pathway into the bone to stabilize it, according to the company.

During the procedure, a small-diameter balloon catheter and light fiber are inserted into the intramedullary canal of the bone. A photosensitive, liquid monomer is then infused into the balloon. The monomer expands the balloon to fit the contours of the interior of the bone, aiding in the reduction of the fracture. The light source is then activated and the liquid monomer is converted into a hardened polymer within 90 seconds. The small skin incision is then closed.

IlluminOss noted that with traditional treatment methods, there may be extensive soft-tissue damage, and the patient has limited or no mobility initially, which may lead to temporary or permanent stiffness and the patient may experience severe pain.

It said the IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System is designed to enable the patient to have immediate joint mobility post-procedure without the need for immobilization. With the minimally invasive approach, soft-tissue injury is "virtually eliminated," the company said. It said having immediate mobility "minimizes the potential for tendon adhesions and a tenolysis procedure to remove them."

Founder/CEO Bob Rabiner said, "We believe that our minimally invasive technology will fundamentally improve the treatment of hundreds of thousands of bone fractures by driving much earlier restoration of functionality, improving the durability of orthopedic repairs, decreasing pain and reducing scarring."

IlluminOss Medical said it is beginning the process of selecting distribution partners in the EU for the IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System.

CE mark for OrSense sensor

OrSense (Nes Ziona, Israel), a developer of monitors for non-invasive measurements of various blood parameters, reported at the 29th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM) in Brussels, Belgium, that it has received CE-mark approval for its NBM-200MP, a multi-parameter sensor for non-invasive continuous hemoglobin, low signal oximetry and pulse rate measurements.

"This is an important milestone for OrSense in the path for developing and marketing our unique, non-invasive multi-parameter blood monitoring device, which is expected to enhance the quality of treatment and reduce operational costs in hospitals," said CEO Lior Ma'ayan "We will soon initiate sales in various counties in Europe."

The company is holding a symposium at ISICEM that will be chaired by Pierre Singer, MD, head of the intensive care department at Rabin Medical Center (Petah-Tikva, Israel) and Sackler School of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, who will present new data indicating that OrSense's non-invasive continuous monitoring system accurately measures levels of oxygen saturation, hemoglobin and glucose in an intensive care unit.

OrSense noted that hemoglobin (Hb) level, a parameter which indicates hemorrhage or anemia, is a key measurement in hospitals and outpatient wards. "However, current hemoglobin measurements are invasive, time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly," it said.

While non-invasive pulse oximetry has become a standard of care throughout the medical world, the company said it "has been known to provide erroneous oxygen saturation readings in states of low perfusion, low cardiac output and/or low blood flow."

It said the NBM-200MP system for the first time offers a "non-invasive, continuous and accurate measurement of oxygen saturation under all physiological conditions, as well as a unique, breakthrough non-invasive solution for accurate continuous and spot Hb measurements."

NBM-200MP operates via a ring-shaped sensor that is fitted on the patient's finger and applies a gentle pressure, temporarily occluding the blood flow. During the occlusion, optical elements in the sensor perform a sensitive measurement of the light transmitted through the finger. This method, called occlusion spectroscopy, provides what OrSense terms "a quick, accurate and painless measurement of the patient's blood constituent, while greatly improving patient comfort, eliminating infection risk, and providing the caregiver with superior accuracy and immediate results."

Joint UK offering by Boots, WebMD

WebMD Health (New York), a provider of health information services in the U.S., has reported a long-term strategic relationship with Boots UK, a pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, to jointly develop a consumer health and wellness information portal in the UK.

The new joint offering will leverage WebMD's online consumer health assets and expertise with Boots' brand as a leading trusted healthcare source and pharmacy provider in the UK.

WebMD and Boots UK will work together exclusively to provide a healthcare information web site to consumers in the UK, which has one of largest Internet audiences in Europe with more than 40 million people, or two-thirds of all households, having access to the internet.

The UK also has the largest advertising market in Europe, estimated at $30 billion per year, with roughly 15%, or $4.5 billion devoted to online advertising.

"We are excited to be working with Boots UK as an important part of our strategy to expand WebMD's presence internationally," said Wayne Gattinella, president/CEO of WebMD. "Boots is the recognized leader in pharmacy and healthcare in the UK. Together we will build a powerful new health information resource designed to help UK consumers lead healthier lives."

Boots UK plans to market the new health portal through in-store promotion, links on its current e-commerce site, outreach to its affinity customers and promotion in its health and beauty magazine.

The new service is planned to launch in the second half of 2009. WebMD and Boots UK will jointly share in the development costs and benefits of the site, while WebMD will directly manage the sales and revenue operation for the site.