Product Briefs

• Advanced Medical Optics (AMO; Santa Ana, California) reported the launch of the TECNIS CL intraocular lens (IOL), the latest advance to the TECNIS silicone IOL. AMO said TECNIS CL IOL can be implanted with the UNFOLDER Silver Series Implantation Systems and the Silver Advanced Cartridge through a 2.8mm incision. It permanently replaces both the Z9000 and Z9001 TECNIS silicone IOL models.

• ATS Medical (Minneapolis) reported the availability of it ATS Open Pivot AP360 Heart Valve at the joint meeting of European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgeons (EACTS) and European Society of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (ESTS) (Stockholm, Sweden). This follows recent CE- mark approval for the Open Pivot AP360 Heart Valve. ATS also introduced the Simulus flexible annuloplasty ring and band at this meeting. The Simulus products is used in mitral repair procedures in the U.S. ATS makes products for cardiac surgery.

• Cook Surgical (Bloomington, Indiana), a division of Cook (also Bloomington), reported record sales in the first half of 2006 driven by the Surgisis AFP plug. Following FDA clearance for the Surgisis AFP plug in March 2005, sales increased 48% in the first two quarters of 2006, the comp any said. Designed for the treatment of anal fistulas, the plug is a cone-shaped device, made from a biologic material that supports and enhances the body's natural healing process. It is sutured in place in the fistula tract where it serves as a bio-scaffold for native tissue regeneration, closing the fistula. Cook bills itself as the world's largest privately held manufacturer of medical devices.