• AngioDynamics (Queensbury, New York) said that it launched Centros, a self-centering, tunneled hemodialysis access catheter. The distal end of the catheter has a curved configuration; placed in the superior vena cava (SVC), its curved tips keep the ports of the catheter centered in the SVC, away from the vein walls. The tips of the catheter are not placed in the atrium, but in the lower third of the SVC. AngioDynamics makes medical devices used by interventional radiologists, nephrologists and surgeons for the minimally invasive treatment of cancer and peripheral vascular disease.

• eCardio Diagnostics (The Woodlands, Texas) said it will release several new product features and services at the Boston Atrial Fibrillation Symposium, an international meeting of cardiology specialists. Among eCardio’s new product releases is the addition of eTimer automatic data capture feature to its cardiac event monitor, the eTrigger AF 920. This allows for the capture and monitoring of ECG data at pre-defined and programmable intervals throughout the patient’s cardiac monitoring protocol. To complement the company’s client and information services, it is launching its eSignature information technology services program. In this service offering, eCardio partners with clients to develop and implement unique and specialized medical and clinical data management packages to facilitate the workflow, efficiency and operation of academic departments and cardiology practices.

• RSB Spine (Cleveland) reported the first implantation of its proprietary InterPlate L in the lumbar spine. The InterPlate L was approved as an interbody device this past September. In addition, RSB Spine has recently completed the national rollout of its InterPlate C device for use in the cervical spine. Fusion is one of the most common spinal procedures performed by neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons. The InterPlate C and InterPlate L are designed to facilitate rapid fusion and are used in conjunction with graft material to fuse spinal vertebrae. RSB Spine is a privately held company focused on making spinal implants.

• Spinal Elements (Carlsbad, California) said that the first implantation of its Zyre Facet Implant System in December was a success. It is the first arthroplasty system developed specifically to address facet joint pain. Spine surgeon Rudolf Bertagnoli, MD, performed the minimally-invasive, tissue-sparing procedure, which directly addresses the small facet joints present in every level of the spine. More than 50% of patients with chronic back pain exhibit some or most of that pain in the facet joints. Spinal Elements specializes in fusion and spine motion preservation technologies.

• The first fully automated ablation system supporting an open-loop irrigated catheter using remote navigation with the Niobe magnetic navigation system, designed by Stereotaxis (St. Louis) and the Carto RMT system by Biosense Webster (Diamond Bar, California), has received FDA approval. The system uses the Navistar RMT Thermocool Irrigated Tip Catheter and the Coolflow Pump from Biosense Webster, with the Stockert RF Generator. The catheter incorporates small irrigation holes at the tip to provide cooling during RF ablation. The addition of the Niobe magnetic system and the Carto RMT system provides electrophysiologists with accurate 3-D mapping, targeting and remote navigation the companies said. Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson company, makes diagnostic navigation and mapping tools. Stereotaxis makes cardiology instrument control systems for use in a hospital’s interventional surgical suite.