• Royal Philips Electronics (Andover, Massachusetts) reported the results of a study confirming the benefit of using CPR sensing and recording technology to improve CPR performance. Results drawn from medical professionals participating in the Resuscitation with Actual Performance Integrated Debriefing (RAPID) trials were published in the study, "Improving In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Process and Outcomes using Performance Debriefing." The Philips HeartStart MRx with Q-CPR measurement and feedback was used to record resuscitation performance during actual cardiac arrest events. Medical professionals then participated in weekly debriefing sessions to review transcripts from the prior week's resuscitations and analyze CPR performance, including chest compression rate and depth, ventilation rate and undesired pauses in compressions. Royal Philips Electronics makes medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems.

• St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, Minnesota) reported FDA and CE-mark approvals of the IsoFlex Optim pacing lead. The small-diameter lead is built on the IsoFlex pacing lead platform, and features the company's Optim insulation material. With the addition of Optim insulation to IsoFlex leads, all St. Jude Medical pacemaker and ICD leads now are available with Optim insulation. Optim insulation is a hybrid insulation material that blends the biostability and flexibility of silicone rubber with the strength, tear resistance and abrasion resistance of polyurethane (silicone rubber and polyurethane are the standard lead insulation materials). The company says that this combination is designed to provide increased durability, and to improve flexibility, handling characteristics and control during implant procedures. The IsoFlex Optim lead can be used with pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices.

• Xoft (Sunnyvale, California) said it has received FDA clearance for applicators to be used with the Axxent electronic brachytherapy system for the treatment of endometrial cancer. Previously cleared for accelerated treatment of early stage breast cancer, the Axxent system, a technology platform designed to deliver localized, non-radioactive, isotope-free radiation treatment in minimally-shielded clinical settings, also recently received expanded FDA clearance for use in the treatment of other cancers or conditions where radiation therapy is indicated. As a platform technology, the Axxent electronic brachytherapy system is designed to address a variety of oncological and non-oncological indications. Delivering electronic, X-ray-based radiation treatment, the proprietary Axxent treatment platform can be used in virtually any clinical setting under the supervision of a radiation oncologist. Xoft makes new technologies for the practice of radiation oncology through electronic brachytherapy, which utilizes proprietary miniaturized X-ray tube technology.