• Covidien (Boulder, Colorado) said it received FDA clearance for the Evident microwave (MW) ablation system, intended for use in the ablation of nonresectable liver tumors. This system offers a procedural option for patients who are not candidates for surgical resection and have few remaining treatment options. The Evident MW ablation system is intended for the coagulation of soft tissue during percutaneous, laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. The system uses microwave energy, emanating from the feed point of the radiating section of an antenna, to cause coagulation of the tissue. The microwave energy creates heat by generating friction through the vibration of water molecules. With microwave ablation, there is no current flow through the patient, eliminating the need for grounding pads. Covidien says that this technological advance allows surgical oncologists, interventional radiologists, hepatobiliary surgeons and other medical specialists to perform percutaneous, laparoscopic or open surgical soft-tissue ablation, and to perform these procedures at speeds up to 60% faster than is possible with other ablation products.

• Hive Health Solutions (Covington, Louisiana) reported the introduction of a new product, the Giddy-Up Stick, a portable sit-to-stand device for those who suffer from back, knee or hip problems. The Giddy-Up Stick is a device that allows the user to go from sitting to standing without having to depend upon someone to assist in the process. The Giddy-Up Stick was invented by Fergus Van Wart, a man who had suffered for many years with arthritis, which resulted in loss of mobility and independence. After others saw how easy this lightweight walking cane was to use, word spread. Van Wart realized he had created a product that others could benefit from, and was making a difference in the lives of those who used it.

• Zeus (Orangeburg, South Carolina) said it has expanded its current product offering and is now producing Insulated PEEK wire. Zeus Insulated PEEK wire is insulated copper wire designed for challenging environments and applications. Zeus' current capabilities consist of extrusions in a wide range of sizes from 6 gauge to 40 gauge, including half-sizes. Zeus claims that the insulated PEEK wire has a high continuous operating temperature, excellent abrasion and chemical resistance, and dielectric strength. For some applications, little or no varnish is required and material properties are maintained in long, continuous lengths without pinholes. Insulated PEEK Wire is available in amorphous and crystalline forms with various sizes and can be spliced using Zeus PEEKshrink. Typical applications include magnet and winding wire for motors and electrical insulation.

• Zoll Medical (Chelmsford, Massachusetts) has received FDA clearance to market and sell the Zoll R Series Code-Ready clinical defibrillator with a WiFi option that allows wireless communication between the defibrillator and standard hospital networks to help ensure code-readiness and download patient data. Based on standard 802.11b WiFi technology, R Series defibrillators equipped with WiFi send an alert when their state of readiness is compromised. Early notification maximizes patient safety by letting the clinician intervene before the defibrillator is needed for a code.