• American Medical Systems (AMS; Minnetonka, Minnesota) reported the presentation of a range of studies on its GreenLight laser system at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Urological Society. Among the twenty abstracts presented, two were randomized studies, concluding that photoselective vaporization of the prostate performed with the GreenLight laser is safer than, and as effective as, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), the most common type of surgery for benign prostatic hyperplasia. AMS said that its GreenLight laser therapy, with more than 300,000 procedures performed, has become a favored alternative to TURP due to it being a minimally invasive outpatient procedure, its high tissue removal efficiency, quick recovery time, and rapid flow rate improvement with minimal side effects. The 532 nm wavelength laser provides efficient vaporization of prostatic tissue, due to the wavelength's high absorption in oxyhemoglobin, and low absorption in water — ensuring laser energy is not lost in the procedural irrigation medium.
  • DePuy Spine (Raynham, Massachusetts) reported the launch of the Expedium PEEK rod system, a load-sharing posterior instrumentation system designed to increase anterior column loading and support the interbody fusion process in the thoracolumbar spine. The rods shift compressive axial forces from the posterior elements to the interbody fusion site, more closely reproducing the normal loading characteristics of the lumbar spine. The rods also decrease forces on the bone screw interfaces compared to more rigid metal rod constructs. The Expedia rods are made of PEEK-OPTIMA, a biocompatible polymer of polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which provides strength and flexibility for load sharing spinal instrumentation applications. Expedium rods are available in standard 5.5 mm and 6.35 mm diameters and feature round geometry, which helps reduce construct profile compared to larger diameter, oval shaped PEEK rod implants. DePuy Spine, a Johnson & Johnson company, focuses on addressing spinal pathologies.
  • Liko (Franklin, Massachusetts) reported the launch of a new disposable repositioning sheet. The Solo RepoSheet is designed for those patients and residents with specific needs such as isolation patients, where specific needs exist to control infection and cross-contamination, or where a method is needed consistent with current laundry control practices. The Solo RepoSheet is usually applied above the fitted sheet and below the draw sheet, but can be used in place of the draw sheet. The Solo RepoSheet is a single-patient-use sheet that should be disposed of when it becomes soiled or when the patient no longer needs it. Liko makes patient-lifting equipment.
  • Lutronic (Princeton Junction, New Jersey) said it has received FDA clearance to market its Spectra VRM III multiple laser wavelength system. This dual pulse Q-Switched Nd: Yag laser is the successor to the Spectra VRM II. It is specifically designed to treat a wide array of dermatological and aesthetic conditions by photo-acoustical removal of epidermal and dermal pigmented lesions including all types of tattoo colors. The VRM III laser's "smart exchange" communicative software allows treatment of a wide variety of cosmetic and medical conditions for general dermatology, dermatologic and general surgical procedures for coagulation and hemostasis. The 1064 nm operates in both a "Q"-switched and long-pulse mode. Taken together with a "Q"-switched 532 nm and two pumped-dye handpieces that produce 585 nm and 650 nm, the Spectra VRM III offers the perfect solution for treating multi-colored tattoos, the company said, including light and dark inks. Lutronic said the key to this laser is its extremely high peak powers that allow the pulse width to be fixed at the shortest pulse width. Lutronic makes medical laser systems.
  • Long-term data from a study published in the International Journal of Cancer show that women screened only with a human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test are half as likely to develop moderate-to-severe cervical disease over the next six years as those who get only conventional cytology. The research followed women age 35 years and older, and assessed their HPV status using Qiagen's (Venlo, the Netherlands) digene HPV Test. In this study, a colposcopy exam and biopsy were used to confirm or rule out the presence of cervical disease after each woman had both the HPV test and a conventional Pap test. The sensitivity of the digene HPV Test was 96% for disease detected in the first year, substantially higher than the Pap test's 82.45. In addition to the HPV test's greater ability to accurately identify women with pre-cancerous cervical cells or cancer, its specificity (the likelihood that women with positive results actually have disease) was similar to that of the Pap. Qiagen makes sample and assay technologies.
  • SPO Medical (New York) reported the start of field trials for its latest homecare wellness product, creating a new application for the traditional home baby monitor market. The company's new baby monitor is designed to address these early concerns and provides maximum reassurance for the new parents. The SPO baby monitor consists of an ankle bracelet encasing an optical sensor which will be worn by the baby, an audio base unit and a parent's receiving unit. The units are portable and also operate as a conventional voice system for standard audio monitoring of the baby. The system is wireless based on the use of safe RF technology for transmitting the data between the baby and the parent. In addition, the baby bracelet contains a rechargeable battery, eliminating the need to change batteries on a frequent basis. SPO Medical makes biosensor and microprocessor technologies.