• Globus Medical (Audubon, Pennsylvania) reported what it said it believes to be first-ever implantation of a total disc replacement device using a minimally invasive transforaminal approach. "The Globus transforaminal TDR was performed through a three-inch Wiltse incision, minimizing the need for muscle dissection and retraction. The patients were able to stand up on the day of their surgery, and were discharged from the hospital by the following day. Full recovery is expected in three to six weeks," said Paul McAfee, MD, chief of spinal surgery at St. Joseph's Medical Center (Towson, Maryland). Globus is a private spinal implant manufacturer.

• HemCon Medical Technologies (Portland, Oregon) has launched its latest product aimed at the oral surgery market, a dressing that uses the same materials and technology as HemCon's other dressings, used by the military and emergency medicine professionals to control severe bleeding. Designed to be custom fitted, the new dressing is used for a multitude of oral wounds including: palatal and gingival grafts, extractions and other oral surgeries. The dressing measures 1" x 3" and, when placed on an oral wound, adheres to the tissue; the bandage is designed to dissolve within seven days. HemCon makes technologies to control bleeding and infection resulting from trauma or surgery.