• Advanced BioHealing (La Jolla, California) released an analysis that it said demonstrates the value of serial debridement in treating lower extremity wounds. The manuscript, titled “Serial Surgical Debridement Increases the Healing Rates of Chronic Lower Extremity Wounds,” was presented at the annual meeting of the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) in Philadelphia. Examination of data from the clinical trials revealed that wounds serially debrided within the first four weeks of the treatment period had a median wound area reduction 54% higher than wounds that were not debrided. Additionally, venous leg ulcers receiving debridement at more than half of their study visits in the first month had a better chance of reaching 75% wound closure in 4 weeks, 90% wound closure in 12 weeks, and/or 100% closure in 12 weeks. Diabetic foot ulcers receiving debridement at every study visit over 12 weeks had a much greater chance of reaching ultimate wound closure than those debrided less often. Advanced BioHealing specializes in regenerative medicine.

• The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medicine (Baltimore) is adding an Elekta (Stockholm, Sweden) Synergy S system to its Leksell gamma knife capability. Johns Hopkins aims to fight cancer with both intracranial and extracranial resources for whole-body cancer treatment with the addition of the Synergy S this fall. Elekta Synergy S integrates high-resolution beam shaping, precise target localization, organ motion control and 3-D imaging into one package, taking stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy to a new level. Synergy S is an image-guided robotic linear accelerator that combines integrated software-driven imaging abilities with powerful high-resolution radiation delivery. At Johns Hopkins’ Kimmel Center, the Synergy S will enable specialists to perform both stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy throughout the body, as well as, stereotactic radiosurgery on cranial tumors unsuitable for gamma knife surgery. Elekta provides more than 4,000 hospitals worldwide with clinical solutions and comprehensive information systems for improved cancer care and management of brain disorders.

• MedAire (Tempe, Arizona) said that Spirit Airlines will add MedAire’s 24/7 MedLink global response services to its entire fleet. During in-flight medical situations, MedLink provides flight attendants and pilots with a one-call solution to board-certified physicians working in a level-one trauma center in Phoenix. As part of the three-year agreement, crewmembers onboard Spirit’s fleet of 36 aircraft will have 24-hour access to MedLink from anywhere around the world, using the aircraft’s existing communications system. MedLink physicians, who have extensive experience in the field of aviation-specific medicine, manage thousands of medical emergencies every year, including more than 17,000 in-flight situations in 2006. MedAire makes remote medical education, expertise and equipment products.

• Sysmex America (Mundelein, Illinois) and Bio-Rad Laboratories (Hercules, California) said that they have entered into a non-exclusive, multi-year distribution agreement to jointly market their complimentary products aimed at improving the efficiency and quality of diabetes testing. Sysmex will add Bio-Rad’s diabetes testing method to the Sysmex HST-N automation line. Bio-Rad will supply their Variant II Turbo Link. Together, the Sysmex and Bio-Rad products will provide clinical laboratories a complete and integrated solution that automates sample processing, eliminates sample splitting, and dramatically improves operating efficiency while reducing costs and errors. Sysmex’s lavender top management solution provides hematology laboratories with the ability to conduct analysis of 90% of tests compatible with EDTA samples. Bio-Rad makes products for the life science research and clinical diagnostics markets. Sysmex America specializes in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including clinical diagnostics, automation and information systems.