Results from studies involving animal and human models show that treatment with AxoGen's (Alachua, Florida) Avance Nerve Graft supports nerve repair and restoration of function in the repair of peripheral nerve damage. Avance Nerve Grafts are decellularized allograft nerves recovered from cadaveric donors. The Avance process is designed to remove cellular components associated with a risk of tissue rejection while maintaining structural and neurotropic components designed to support nerve regeneration. Avance Nerve Graft also is treated to remove chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, which inhibit nerve axon regeneration in peripheral nerves.

• Endologix (Irvine, California) reported FDA approval of the IntuiTrak Express Delivery System for the Powerlink XL stent graft. The IntuiTrak Express incorporates novel design, delivery and deployment features and enables delivery of the Powerlink XL stent graft through the IntuiTrak 19 Fr introducer sheath during the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients with aortic necks up to 32 mm in diameter. Approval of the IntuiTrak Express provides additional treatment options to physician users and includes a 21 Fr IntuiTrak stand-alone delivery system for the Powerlink XL stent grafts that incorporates its own integrated, hydrophilically coated introducer sheath with advanced hemostasis control.

• K2M (Leesburg, Virginia) reported the introduction of an all-inclusive solution for rigid posterior fixation of the cervico-thoracic regions of the spine. The Caspian spinal system provides two different polyaxial screw options, Mini MESA and Mini DENALI, as well as Mini Hooks and 3.5 mm Rods. The Mini MESA screws feature K2M's Zero-Torque Technology which applies zero torsional loads, or twisting forces, to the spine when locking the system. The Mini DENALI screws feature off-axis screw height adjustment, whereby the screwdriver does not need to be co-linear with the screw shaft to adjust the screw during surgery.

• Kinetic Concepts (KCI; San Antonio) reported the U.S. market launch of its new V.A.C. GranuFoam Bridge Dressing. This new dressing is expected to simplify application in chronic wounds, especially diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), where it is compatible with off-loading devices. The dressing kit includes the following components: a pre-formed bridge that allows the SensaT.R.A.C. Pad to be placed away from hard-to-access wound sites, a dressing which includes a new wicking layer designed to prevent damage to intact skin, pre-sized V.A.C. GranuFoam Bridge Dressing inserts designed for DFUs which reduce the need for resizing dressings, and a perforated drape that is designed to easily achieve a reliable seal around the wound.

• SyntheMed (Iselin, New Jersey) reported FDA approval of its Repel-CV adhesion barrier for use in pediatric cardiac surgery patients. Repel-CV is a bioresorbable film designed to be placed over the surface of the heart at the conclusion of an open-heart surgical procedure to reduce the formation of post-operative adhesions (scar tissue). Repel-CV is a bioresorbable adhesion barrier film designed to be placed over the surface of the heart at the conclusion of an open-heart surgical procedure to reduce the severity of adhesions that form between the surface of the heart and adjacent tissue surfaces following the surgical procedure. Repel-CV is designed to provide the therapeutic benefit and then degrade so that it is cleared from the surgical site.