• Aloka (Wallingford, Connecticut) reportedthe introduction of two ultrasound systems with dedicated platforms for advanced cardiac and vascular imaging, the Alpha 10 and Alpha 7. The Alpha 10 incorporates all of the standard cardiovascular features such as stress echo, TDI/strain, TEE transducers, full reporting capabilities, and DICOM networking. The Alpha 7 provides image quality for mid-level and office based imaging. It offers a suite of cardiovascular capabilities in a compact chassis for those facilities where space is at a premium. Aloka specializes in ultrasound equipment.

• MedicalCV (Minneapolis) said that Crayton Pruitt, MD, a pioneer in the minimally invasive surgical (MIS) treatment of atrial fibrillation, completed the first closed-chest, beating heart cardiac ablation using the Solar surgical ablation system. The Solar received FDA clearance for the ablation or coagulation of soft tissue in March (Medical Device Daily, March 23, 2007). MedicalCV makes laser-based surgical ablation systems.

• Medrad (Warrendale, Pennsylvania) reported the availability of the 3.0T Prostate eCoil MR endorectal coil compatible with magnetic resonance (MR) scanners made by Philips and Siemens. Medrad introduced the 3.0T prostate eCoil for GE scanners in 2006. The eCoil conforms to the size and shape of the prostate for consistent contact between the gland and the signal-amplifying elements of the coil. The result is small field-of-view and high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and specificity that yield clearer pictures of the prostate. These pictures provide information needed by clinicians to diagnose and stage cancer, and also to plan and deliver targeted treatment, such as radiation therapy. Medrad makes imaging products.

• Medtronic’s Spinal Division (Memphis, Tennessee) reported the U.S. availability of the CD Horizon longitude multi-level percutaneous fixation system for use in minimally invasive spinal surgeries that require multiple levels of spinal fusion. The system’s free-hand inserter and reduction screw extenders are designed to allow a stabilizing rod to be passed through a small incision over numerous levels of vertebrae in the spine. The spinal business at Medtronic specializes in advancing the treatment of spinal conditions.

• Nymox Pharmaceutical (Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey) reported the publication of an independent study reporting positive data on the accuracy and usefulness of the company’s Saliva NicAlert test for tobacco exposure in a family practice setting. Saliva NicAlert results using saliva samples tested on-site closely matched those obtained by much more expensive and complex testing technology using urine samples sent off-site to an independent reference laboratory. Saliva NicAlert was able to correctly identify smokers who reported being nonsmokers but were ascertained to actually be smokers based on the reference laboratory liquid chromatography/mass spectroscopy results.