Just as the new year begins, researchers have pushed open a massive door in the field of organ transplantation medicine that will offer expanded opportunities for more transplants with far better outcomes. (Medical Device Daily)

Just as a slew of other organizations have done, in anticipation of a new administration, the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA; Rosslyn, Virginia) last week pledged its support for healthcare reform intended to provide all Americans with access to affordable, quality healthcare. And it lauded President–elect Barack Obama's renewed focus on health reform. (Diagnostics & Imaging Week

Less than two months after FDA approval of Boston Scientific's (Natick, Massachusetts) Carotid Wallstent Monorail Endoprosthesis for patients with carotid artery disease who are at high risk for surgery, the first patient has been enrolled in a 1,000-patient surveillance registry. (Medical Device Daily)

Physicians have been limited in their efforts to treat coronary artery disease in narrower vessels. Abbott (Abbott Park, Illinois) is seeking to fill that treatment gap, which accounts for about 10% of all procedures to treat lesions, with the start of a trial evaluating a 2.25 mm size of the Xience V everolimus eluting coronary stent system. (Medical Device Daily)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — which has the largest budget of any federal department, spending a whopping $2 billion per day — is being advised by the Institute of Medicine (IOM; Washington) to review, revamp and rechart a new course for healthcare in America. (Medical Device Daily)