• BSD Medical (Salt Lake, City) said that the Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics has published report containing 12-year clinical follow-up data for a study comparing the clinical results for advanced cervical cancer patients treated with radiation and hyperthermia therapy to those for patients treated with radiation alone. The article, entitled "Long-Term Improvement in Treatment Outcome after Radiotherapy and Hyperthermia in Locoregionally Advanced Cervical Cancer: an Update of the Dutch Deep Hyperthermia Trial," is considered relevant by BSD because the follow-up data test the durability of the effect of hyperthermia therapy for cervical cancer patients. The publication offers the following rationale for the use of hyperthermia therapy with radiation therapy: "Hyperthermia, the artificial increase in tissue temperature to 40-44 degrees C, is an effective cytotoxic agent, especially in cells that are in a hypoxic nutrient-deprived low-pH environment. These conditions are commonly found in malignant tumors and make cells relatively resistant to radiation therapy. In addition to directly killing cells at temperatures of 40-44 degrees C, hyperthermia therapy also increases the cytotoxic effect of radiation therapy." BSD makes systems used to provide cancer therapies requiring precision-focused heat through RF/microwave technologies.

• Cardinal Health (Anaheim, California) has introduced a surgical gown made from a fabric that is softer to the skin than other surgical gowns, and intended for general procedures that involve moderate to minimal fluid, the RoyalSilk gown provides AAMI Level 3 protection from blood, liquid and other potentially infectious material. Surgical gowns are designed to protect patients from contaminants that health care workers may carry and safeguard the surgical team from infection by shielding them from blood, liquid and other potentially infectious material that can carry viruses and bacteria from one area to another. Cardinal Health focuses on making supply chains more efficient, reducing health care-associated infections and breaking the cycle of harmful medication errors.

• CardioTech International (Wilmington, Massachusetts) said that it has received the necessary approvals to add a second medical center for the clinical trial of CardioPass, the company's synthetic coronary bypass graft. CardioPass is designed as an alternative for patients who have undergone repeat procedures or have insufficient native vessels for bypass. Repeat surgeries account for up to 20% of all bypass procedures. CardioPass is made from ChronoFlex, the company's biodurable medical-grade polymer and engineered to be pulsatile, biostable, torque-resistant and suturable. Once it is implanted, the graft's polymer construction allows it to incorporate the patient's own cells and tissue, so that the inner surface mimics the normal environment for blood contact. ChronoFlex has also been specially formulated to be flexible, enabling CardioPass to pulse like a human vein would as it carries blood to the heart. CardioTech International makes advanced polymer materials and manufacturer of medical products for the treatment and diagnosis of a broad range of disease states.

• Solvay Advanced Polymers (Alpharetta, Georgia) debuted its new grade of gamma radiation stabilized Ixef polyarylamide (PARA), aimed at device manufacturers serving the needs of hospitals and healthcare networks looking to reduce system costs and minimize the transfer of infections. Unlike other plastics such as polycarbonate, blended with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC ABS), the new Ixef PARA grade can withstand irradiation via gamma rays, Solvay Advanced Polymers said. The company said this is good for single-use devices that can be packaged, sterilized and ready for use in an array of procedures. Solvay Advanced Polymers makes high-performance plastics.