• Amedica(Salt Lake City), a manufacturer of orthopedic devices, said it has been granted U.S. patent No. 6,881,229 covering its metal-on-ceramic bearings for orthopedic articulating joints. Amedica’s new advanced bearings covered under this and other pending patents will be used as ultra-low-wear bearing components for motion preserving implants. The company said the patented technology should help surgeons achieve more successful outcomes in restoring patient function and more rapid healing for patients.

• CardioSoft (Houston) reported the completion of two clinical studies utilizing its new diagnostic cardiology tool, the HFQRS ECG, which measures and characterizes high frequency signals present in the QRS portion of the electrocardiogram, offering enhanced diagnostic information that supplements conventional ECG. The core technology initially was developed by researchers at the Johnson Space Center and is licensed from NASA by CardioSoft from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In the first study, involving 45 patients undergoing nuclear medicine scanning for myocardial perfusion, the HFQRS ECG correctly predicted ischemia more than nine out of 10 times. Study results were presented at the recent annual meeting of the International Society of Computerized Electrocardiology. In the second study, the HFQRS ECG performed with similar accuracy when used to assess 60 patients for the presence of cardiomyopathy. Results of this study will be presented in June at the 12th Congress of the International Society for Holter and Non-invasive Electrocardiology in Gdansk, Poland. CardioSoft said that additional investigations are under way at academic medical centers in Houston and other locations. CardioSoft is focused on developing ECG products for improved diagnosis and management of heart disease.

• DePuy Spine (Raynham, Massachusetts), a business of Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, New Jersey), reported launch of the Uniplate Anterior Cervical Plate System, a new midline screw-per-vertebral-body system for one- or two-level cervical fusion procedures. The Uniplate System consists of a semi-rigid plate only 10.5 mm wide that, DePuy said, provides stability comparable to traditional cervical plates without requiring fewer screws and thus fewer steps. The company said that the Uniplate System is the narrowest plate on the market, with a thickness of 2.3 mm, and includes a patented locking mechanism, called Tri-lobe Cam-Loc, to secure the screws. The system also includes the Universal Guide, described as an all-in-one tool that acts as a plate holder through which an awl, drill, tap and screws can be inserted. DePuy Spine’s other anterior cervical plate systems include Eagle Rigid, Swift Dynamic and Slim-Loc. Anterior cervical fusion is performed to relieve pain caused by a damaged or degenerated disc. Metal plates and screws may be necessary to support the neck while the vertebrae fuse.

• Mentor (Santa Barbara, California) reported the U.S. launch of its new Aris Trans-Obturator Tape. A light, thin mesh that provides long-term suburethral support, the company said Aris represents the advanced generation of trans-obturator slings for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. The full market launch is scheduled during the annual meeting of the American Urological Association, which begins Saturday in San Antonio. The device uses the company’s Trans-Obturator Technique, which it said offers surgeons a simplified and effective means of performing sling procedures, and reduces the risks associated with other surgical procedures.

• Nextrials (San Ramon, California), a provider of clinical research software and services, said that its flagship Prism software now offers the industry’s first electronic messaging system for identification and tracking of safety trends. An advanced electronic data capture product, Prism’s enhanced safety features give research professionals the ability to set threshold tolerance levels for investigational studies, according to the company. Researchers can then monitor these thresholds in real-time across multiple test sites and multiple studies, receiving electronic alerts when data trends point to potential safety concerns. The system provides immediate access to data obtained across multiple project sites and studies. Prism’s advanced data mining capability spots and analyzes multi-project safety trends, even in cases where the overall clinical trial remains below threshold levels, and electronically sends notification to researchers. Nextrials also has added international reporting capabilities to Prism. The company is showcasing Prism at this week’s BIO-IT World Conference + Expo in Boston.

• Orthometrix (White Plains, New York) reported that its Orbasone Pain Relief System has received a Medical Device License from Health Canada for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. The Orbasone is manufactured in the U.S. by Kimchuk (Danbury, Connecticut) and distributed in Canada by Orthometrix. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the plantar fascia, the thick strand of collagen located under the foot and connects the heel bone to the metatarsals. Injury of the fascia generally results from excessive tension, both from the muscles above and from the shape of the foot below. Once inflamed, the fascia develops microtears and mild pain can quickly turn into excruciating pain that reduces mobility and quality of life. The Orbasone uses high-energy shock waves to relieve chronic heel pain, with the technology derived from a technology used to break up kidney stones without the use of surgery (lithotripsy). Orthometrix said it is working to complete the premarket approval process with the FDA. Orthometrix sells and services several musculoskeletal product lines used in pharmaceutical research, diagnostic and monitoring of bone and muscle disorders, sports medicine, rehabilitative medicine, physical therapy and pain management.