• ContraVac (Chalottesville, Virginia) said the FDA approved SpermCheck Vasectomy, a simple diagnostic which confirms men’s post-vasectomy sterility. The device will enable men to test their post-vasectomy fertility status at home rather than requiring the patient to return to the physician’s office or a laboratory. SpermCheck is a diagnostic device similar to a home pregnancy test for women. It is the first test with the sensitivity and specificity required to detect low numbers of sperm and the first at-home diagnostic to receive FDA approval for sperm testing after vasectomy. Physicians will be able to provide SpermCheck Vasectomy to their patients following their vasectomy or men can purchase SpermCheck Vasectomy directly from ContraVac. ContraVac makes reproductive and fertility devices.

• Covidien (North Haven, Connecticut) said that its surgical devices unit has introduced three access products, VersaStep Plus 15 mm, Visiport Plus with fixation and Versaport Plus RPF 15 mm with fixation. The VersaStep Plus 15 mm is a bladeless laparoscopic access system with a radially expandable sleeve that minimizes the fascial defect and reduces the downward insertion forces associated with normal trocar insertion. Covidien makes product lines in four segments: medical devices, imaging solutions, pharmaceutical products and medical supplies.

• DJO (San Diego) said that its surgical division, DJO Surgical, formerly has received FDA clearance for its new X-alt highly cross-linked polyethylene liner for DJO Surgical’s FMP acetabular hip system. DJO Surgical’s FMP acetabular system combines the company’s Cobalt-Chrome and ceramic femoral heads with a new wear-resistant, highly crosslinked polyethylene cup liner to form the hip ball and socket joint. This crosslinked polyethylene liner increases the resistance to ball and socket wear compared to traditional polyethylene cup liners, DJO said. The company makes products that promote pain management and musculoskeletal and vascular health.

• Integra LifeSciences Holdings (Plainsboro, New Jersey) introduced the next generation of Mayfield skull pins, manufactured from high-grade titanium and designed for use with the Mayfield cranial stabilization system. The Mayfield system is designed to maintain the stability of a patient’s head during brain surgery. During MRI scanning, the presence of certain metals can cause image artifacts that may hinder the neurosurgeon’s ability to interpret the images. The skull pins allow neurosurgeons to perform MRI scans during brain surgery without compromising image quality. Integra LifeSciences Holdings specializes in regenerative medicine.