• DePuy Mitek (Raynham, Massachusetts) reported a critical milestone in its multi-center randomized pilot study, saying it has evaluated and validated the safety and performance of its cartilage autograft implantation system (CAIS). The investigational device and method is designed as a primary surgical treatment of damaged knee cartilage using the patient's own cartilage in a single operation. CAIS is a joint development effort between DePuy Mitek and Johnson & Johnson regenerative therapeutics, a regenerative medicine R&D organization. In CAIS, healthy cartilage cells are harvested, placed on to a bioabsorbable scaffold and implanted all in the same surgical procedure. DePuy Mitek says its scientists were the first to recognize and confirm the breakthrough that chondrocytes when processed/treated appropriately can be re-implanted immediately into the patient.

• Micrus Endovascular (San Jose, California) reported market launch of its Cashmere microcoil system to treat complex cerebral aneurysms. The Cashmere is a platinum, stretch-resistant microcoil designed to provide stable framing or filling of aneurysms that may require a softer microcoil, such as those with irregular shapes or ruptured aneurysms. Micrus makes both implantable and disposable medical devices used by interventional neuroradiologists and neurosurgeons to treat cerebral aneurysms responsible for hemorrhagic stroke.

• Reliant Technologies (San Diego) reported receovomg FDA clearance for the Fraxel re:fine laser system designed to offer patients another choice in skin rejuvenation treatments that provides a gentle treatment for pigmentation, texture, tone and periorbital fine lines with limited pain and downtime. The system will be launched at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical Meeting, May 7–9. Unlike traditional laser devices, Fraxel-brand systems treat only a fraction of skin at a time, leaving the surrounding area intact for fast healing. Fraxel lasers have received multiple FDA clearances and have been found safe and effective in treating all skin types and all areas of the face and body, according to Reliant. Reliant focuses on fractional resurfacing and aesthetic laser skin treatments.