• IlluminOss Medical (East Providence, Rhode Island) reported that the first procedure using the IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System had been performed on a 21-year-old patient with a fracture of the 5th metacarpal. The IlluminOss Photodynamic Bone Stabilization System requires a small 4.5 mm pathway into the bone to stabilize it. 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. Then the light source is activated, converting the liquid monomer into a hardened polymer within 90 seconds. The tiny skin incision is then closed. The IlluminOss system is designed to enable the patient to have immediate joint mobility post procedure without the need for immobilization. The fracture also becomes partially weight bearing immediately. Due to the minimally invasive approach, soft tissue injury is virtually eliminated. Having immediate mobility minimizes the potential for tendon adhesions and a tenolysis procedure to remove them, according to the company.

• Isolite Systems (Santa Barbara, California) said it will launch a new mouthpiece for the system at the Chicago Dental Society's Midwinter Meeting in Chicago. The Isolite dryfield illuminator is a dental device that combines the functions of light, suction and retraction into a single tool solving many of the frustrations that dental professionals deal with on a daily basis. With the addition of the new Medium DV (Deep Vestibule) mouthpiece to its product line-up, Isolite Systems now makes available five distinct and innovative mouthpieces which are designed to fit patients varying in size – from small children to large adults.