• The first available two-year data from the European clinical trial evaluating the Rheos Hypertension (HT) system were presented at Hypertension Berlin 2008. Made by CVRx (Minneapolis), the implantable Rheos HT system is designed to control hypertension. The Rheos HT system uses CVRx Baroreflex Activation Therapy technology, which is designed to electrically activate the carotid baroceptors, the body's natural blood pressure sensors. When the baroreceptors are activated, signals are sent through neural pathways to the brain and interpreted as a rise in blood pressure. The brain works to counteract this perceived rise in blood pressure by sending signals to other parts of the body (heart, blood vessels and kidneys) to lower high blood pressure. The Rheos HT includes a small pulse generator that is implanted under the collarbone; two thin lead wires that are implanted at the left and right carotid arteries and connect to the pulse generator; and the Rheos programmer system, an external device used by doctors to non-invasively regulate the activation energy from the generator to the lead wires. CVRx makes implantable devices.

• Medtronic (Minneapolis) said that all Vision 3-D implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-Ds) are now compatible with the Medtronic CareLink Network. Medtronic's Vision 3-D devices have several exclusive features: ATP (anti-tachycardia pacing) During Charging, which automatically uses pacing pulses to painlessly stop fast, dangerous heartbeats, while concurrently preparing to deliver a shock if needed, with no delay; MVP mode, or Managed Ventricular Pacing, which allows doctors to reduce unnecessary pacing to the right ventricle (RV, or the heart's lower chamber) in all Vision 3-D ICDs. Additionally, some Vision 3-D CRT-D devices feature automaticity with Complete Capture Management, which improves patient safety by continuously and automatically adjusting to changing patient needs.

• Neuromonics (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) reported the publication of the first clinical study evaluating the Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment's effectiveness compared to relevant control groups. Published in the ENT Journal, the study demonstrates that patients receiving Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment reported significantly greater improvements in tinnitus disturbance than those receiving an equivalent rehabilitation and counseling program with broadband noise acoustic stimulus or no acoustic stimulation. Broadband noise, a traditional approach designed to "mask" the tinnitus, did not significantly improve tinnitus disturbance compared to the counseling-only group. The Neuromonics Tinnitus Treatment delivers a prescribed acoustic neural stimulus, customized for each patient's individual audiological profile, and delivered within specially processed music. The stimulus is designed to provide relief and relaxation in the initial phase of treatment, and then progressively over a period of several months, to facilitate desensitization to the tinnitus. Neuromonics makes products for long-term relief of tinnitus.