• EP MedSystems (West Berlin, New Jersey), a developer of electrophysiology products used in cardiac rhythm management, reported that its ViewFlex ultrasound imaging catheter was used in a unique procedure to treat a patient in dysynchrony with heart failure. The procedure was performed by Sanjeev Saksena, MD, the company's Senior Medical Advisor and a practicing cardiac electrophysiology and clinical Professor of Medicine at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine (New Brunswick, New Jersey). The procedure was performed to resynchronize the left ventricle in a patient who previously had an implanted cardiac resynchronization pacemaker device, which had failed to improve heart function. EP MedSystems' ViewMate system provided visualization used in both optimizing the positioning of the pacemaker electrode and the programming of the device, allowing resynchronization as well as increased cardiac output. The patient's ejection fraction, the percentage of blood that is pumped out of a filled ventricle with each heartbeat, improved from 21% to 39%. ViewMate is a computerized instrument for the capture of intracardiac ultrasound images providing digital image acquisition and display of images from the ViewFlex intracardiac catheter inserted into the heart through intravascular access. EP MedSystem products are used to diagnose and treat certain cardiac rhythm disorders. Its EP product line includes the EP-WorkMate Electrophysiology Workstation with RPM Real-time Position Management navigation technology; the EP-4 Computerized Cardiac Stimulator, fixed and deflectable diagnostic electrophysiology catheters and related disposable supplies' the ALERT System and ALERT family of internal cardioversion catheters; and the ViewMate intracardiac ultrasound catheter imaging system.

• Hospira (Seattle, Washington) reported the launch of its VISIV (pronounced viz-eye-vee) flexible intravenous container designed to improve patient safety, advance caregiver safety and efficiency, and increase environmental responsibility. Flexible I.V. containers are used to help administer medications and solutions to patients. Ninety percent of all hospital patients receive some form of I.V. therapy. The VISIV container's built-in patient- and caregiver-safety features help to increase patient well-being and enable greater medication delivery efficiency. With a standard flexible I.V. container, an external overwrap is used as a moisture barrier. Through its multilayer plastic film, the VISIV container is the first plastic large-volume flexible I.V. container to require no overwrap, according to Hospira. The container is designed for about 40% to 60% less waste than other flexible I.V. containers, helping reduce hospitals' environmental impact and disposal fees. The VISIV container offers virtually impenetrable port tubes with a greater needlestick protective area for medication additives. Together, these features help protect caregivers from accidental needlestick injuries. Hospira said it has received FDA approval to offer several of the most commonly used I.V. solutions in the VISIV container. The company said it expects to steadily increase the number of products available in the VISIV container over the next several years.

• Mentor (Santa Barbara, California) reported receiving that it has receiving FDA approval for its new NovaSilk synthetic mesh used to treat pelvic organ prolapse. NovaSilk is a soft and lightweight mesh comprised of a knitted, monofilament polypropylene. NovaSilk is Mentor's first synthetic mesh product for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. The Company also markets its human tissue-based Axis and Suspend products for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. “Treating prolapse with grafts and synthetic mesh is increasingly being adopted by the physician community, as more clinical data indicates higher failure rates for previous (tissue plication) procedures. NovaSilk is a very nice addition to Mentor's product portfolio and offers a macroporous, knitted, monofilament polypropylene mesh, while also being soft and light,“ said Edward Stanford, MD. Pelvic organ prolapse is estimated to afflict as many as 40% of women over the age of 50 years, representing about 36 million women in the U.S. and Europe. While prolapse is not considered a life threatening condition, it may cause a great deal of discomfort, distress and embarrassment. The use of synthetic meshes for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse represents one of the fastest growing segments of the women's health market.