• Avid Radiopharmaceuticals (Philadelphia) reported that enrollment has begun in a proof-of-concept phase I clinical trial investigating Avid’s development compound ¹⁸F-AV-133 for imaging patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s Disease and essential tremor, and dementias, including Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer’s Disease. The compound, used with PET imaging, targets vesicular monoamine transporters (VMAT2) in the brain and may enable more accurate and earlier diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. This new imaging compound may thus lead to improved disease management for patients and their caregivers. Avid Radiopharmaceuticals is a molecular imaging company.

• Cardiac Science (Bothell, Washington) reported the launch of the Quinton Q-Tel RMS 3.0. This cardiac rehabilitation system offers several connectivity upgrades and workflow advancements to enable the best possible treatment decisions in cardiac rehabilitation. Some features include: bi-directional connectivity to a hospital’s EMR and HIS system; improved tracking of HIPAA compliance requirements through user activity logs; session recovery advancements to prevent the loss of patient data due to power interruption or application error and Q-Tel pocket assistant for wireless session management. Cardiac Science makes cardiac monitoring and defibrillation products.

• Signalife (Los Angeles) said that is has completed in-house testing and technological evaluation of various new modules for its holter and intra-cardiac monitors - items that have previously been an important part of the company’s business plans and are now ready for submission to FDA for clearance. Both of these developments are ahead of schedule, and are of importance because they are both revenue producing as well as scientifically significant to the reduction of the $400 billion in cardiovascular expenses as well as to patient health and welfare. Having them completed ahead of schedule will likely bring these products to the forefront several quarters earlier than anticipated —both from a revenue standpoint as well as a scientific venturing standpoint. Signalife specializes in biomedical monitoring.

• Small Bone Innovations (New York) reported the launch of the rHead lateral radial head implant system. Designed to augment its elbow management system, the company also launched the rHead plating system for internal fixation of proximal radius fractures. The rHead lateral implant is a side-loading radial head prosthesis that allows for a minimally invasive approach and exposure in radial head replacement surgery. The rHead lateral is indicated for treatment of arthritic and traumatic conditions of the radial head. The stem of the rHead lateral implant is plasma coated with titanium for immediate stability in the canal and optimum osteo-integrating properties. Small Bone Innovations specializes in the musculoskeletal/orthopedic sector.