• Acceleration Therapeutics (North Bay Village, Florida), a division of Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, reported that a published study using its AT-101 passive exercise device showed, for the first time, that the AT-101 produces an important benefit that also occurs with active exercise. The study, published in the January issue of Chest, found that the AT-101 increased nitric oxide activity in 14 healthy persons and 40 patients, with diseases such as osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis. Nitric oxide has direct vasodilator and anti-arteriosclerotic properties as well as indirect anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic properties, according to the company. The AT-101 is a non-invasive, powered exercise device, consisting of a comfortable horizontal platform that moves the body repetitively in a back-and-forth motion from head to foot.

• Milestone Scientific (Livingston, New Jersey) said results of a second independent pilot clinical study have confirmed the efficacy of its CompuFlo pressure/force computer controlled anesthetic delivery system in determining the pressure of the epidural space. A report of study results was presented last week at the Society for Technology in Anesthesia meeting in Miami. The study noted, “The introduction of a method or device that can identify the epidural space with an objective tool could potentially decrease the incidence of side effects and increase the success rate of the procedure and patient safety.“ The principal investigators determined that the CompuFlo technology reliably identified, in all cases, the pressure characteristics of different tissues. The researchers further concluded that the location of the needle can be easily determined within seconds.