• Aethlon Medical (San Diego) said that preclinical studies have documented that the Aethlon Hemopurifier is effective in capturing circulating West Nile virus (WNV). The study data further supports the potential use of the Hemopurifier as a broad-spectrum treatment against viral pathogens, whether naturally occurring, or purposely released as biological weapons of mass destruction, the company said. During in vitro studies, high concentrations of WNV (roughly 700,000 WNV/ml) were depleted from cell culture fluids when circulated through the Hemopurifier. The study data indicated that the Hemopurifier removed 535 of infectious WNV in the first four hours of the testing; 79% at six hours; and 99.3% after 20 hours. The studies were conducted in triplicate, and data verification was provided by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Aethlon specializes in products designed to treat infectious disease.

• ArthroCare (Austin, Texas) reported results from its five-year study evaluating the effectiveness of the Topaz MicroDebrider to treat common tendon disorders, and concluded that patients who had the minimally invasive procedure were highly satisfied with the procedure and continue to experience pain relief. The Topaz MicroDebrider is a wand-like device about the diameter of a pencil tip. Through a small incision, generally an inch in length, the physician applies the device to the problem tendon for multiple 500-millisecond intervals of treatment. A precisely focused, charged plasma created by a light dose of low-temperature radio frequency energy is directed into the damaged tissues. ArthroCare makes minimally invasive surgical products.

• Globus Medical (Miami) reported completion of enrollment in its SECURE-C cervical artificial disc IDE study. The SECURE-C device is designed to mimic the normal motion of the spine in order to alleviate pain and restore function as an alternative to fusion in the treatment of symptomatic cervical disc disease. "The SECURE-C implant was designed specifically to mimic the physiologic behavior of the natural healthy spine," said Joseph Marzluff MD, a Charleston, South Carolina, neurosurgeon who has enrolled patients in the trial. "The device [offers] distinct advantages over currently available devices and a simple surgical technique that is easier than traditional plate and screw insertion. We can clearly see the clinical advantages of restoring motion to the cervical spine with our patients, particularly with the device's unique articulating surfaces and translation feature that helps them to regain previously limited motion." Globus manufactures spinal implants.

• HeartWare (Framingham, Massachusetts) said it has received FDA approval for an Investigational Device Exemption for its Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS). The company plans to immediately launch a clinical trial for the HeartWare LVAS for use as a bridge to transplant in patients suffering from end-stage heart failure. HeartWare makes miniaturized Left Ventricular Assist Devices, designed to treat patients suffering from advanced heart failure.