• DePuy Mitek (Raynham, Massachusetts) reported the launch of the Versalok next generation rotator cuff anchor. Versalok was developed to provide greater versatility in rotator cuff repair. It allows surgeons the ability to address various tear pathologies with one implant and a variety of suture passing configurations including single row, dual row and suture spanning. The anchor expands by 29% from 4.9mm to 6.3mm post-deployment to provide solid fixation under the cortical bone. The anchor is designed to firmly lock the suture in place completely between the sections of the implant and not the bone. This prevents suture unloading and suture creep to provide strength and durability of the repair. DePuy Mitek, a Johnson & Johnson company, makes surgical sports medicine devices.

• HepaLife Technologies (Boston) reported that its 'PICM-19' cells, under development for use in artificial liver support and in vitro toxicology testing, have outperformed the world's most widely used human liver cell line in important tests of liver-specific metabolic functions. The production of urea is a highly-important function in the removal of toxic ammonia from the bloodstream, a capacity demonstrated by HepaLife's PICM-19 liver cells. According to results from HepaLife's most recent lab tests, its PICM-19 cells synthesized 100% of the ammonia present, nearly four times more than HepG2-C3A, the world's most widely-used human liver cell line today. Results from the same tests also demonstrated that PICM-19 cells are able to express high levels of cytochrome P-450 enzymes, a key liver-related function in the detoxification of drugs and xenobiotics. In contrast, HepG2-C3A showed very low, or no detectable P450 activity at all. HepaLife Technologies is a biotechnology company focused on the identification and development of cell-based technologies and products.

• Imaging Diagnostic Systems (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) reported the publication of a significant medical study, "Role of CTLM in Early Detection of Vascular Breast Lesions." The study highlights the importance of imaging the presence and extent of angiogenesis in breasts as a means to improve breast cancer detection and management methods. Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels. In the breast, such new vessels are associated with cancer growth. Imaging Diagnostic Systems, a laser optical breast imaging company, is seeking FDA premarket approval for the CTLM system to be used as an adjunct to mammography.

• MicroVention (Aliso Viejo, California) said that that the 500th and final patient has been enrolled in the independent, physician-designed and -managed, international trial of its HydroCoil embolization system for treating cerebral aneurysms. The trial, titled HydroCoil endovascular aneurysm occlusion and packing study (HELPS), compares the results derived from the HydroCoil system to results from approved bare platinum coils, currently considered the mainstay of endovascular aneurysm therapy. MicroVention makes minimally invasive treatments for cerebral and peripheral vascular diseases.

• Toshiba America Medical Systems (Tustin, California) has developed three imaging techniques for its MR product line, including the Vantage systems, that allow for contrast free imaging during MRA procedures. Contrast-free imaging is particularly important because gadolinium, the common contrast agent used for MRI and MRA exams, recently has been directly linked to nephrogenic systemic fibrosis also known as nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy, a sometimes fatal disease that occurs in patients with renal insufficiency. Specifically, Toshiba's equipment utilizes three proprietary contrast-free imaging techniques that can successfully perform MRA, fresh blood imaging, contrast-free improved angiography and Time-SLIP. Toshiba America Medical Systems makes diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the U.S.