• CryoCor (San Diego) reported the publication of a study on the treatment of atrial fibrillation using the company’s Cryoablation system. The study concluded that, using the Cryoablation system, pulmonary vein isolation benefited 82% of patients with recent onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, or AF, during a mean follow-up averaging 33 months. This is the first and only study to be published that reviews safety and long-term efficacy of AF ablation using cryotherapy, or extreme cold. The study also demonstrated an excellent safety profile with no occurrences of pulmonary vein stenosis or esophageal injury, which are two serious complications that can occur during AF ablation with radio frequency, or other heat-based, ablation devices.

• Life Spine (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) said the FDA has given 510(k) marketing clearance to Lynx, a new cross-connector system designed for use in surgical lumbar fusion procedures. Life Spine President/CEO Michael Butler indicated that Lynx’s new design will allow a surgeon more options when performing lumbar spine surgery and presented with a need for a stabilizing cross connector system. “The Lynx represents another great product development accomplishment for Life Spine. The cross connector provides multi-axial adjustability in all planes and is simple to use, as it snaps onto the rods, self-adjusts and locks with a single instrument. What’s more, we have developed both straight and pre-arched versions of the Lynx, providing more tissue sparing surgical options.7