June 27, 2008 - IntraOp Medical released the results of a study which shows that, for women with breast cancer, a single dose of intraoperative electron-beam radiation therapy (IOERT) can be equal to six weeks of traditional post-operative radiation therapy.

IntraOp’s Mobetron is the only FDA-approved self-shielding device offering IOERT treatment in the operating room in the U.S., said the company.

According to IntraOp, the results of this study mean:

June 27, 2008 - ArthroCare Corp. recently launched its new DoublePlay implant, a suture anchor device intended for soft tissue to bone fixation in surgical procedures such as rotator cuff repair.

The DoublePlay device is a fully threaded anchor and features an “eyeless” design, a new concept in the world of screw-in anchors. The design eliminates the risk of eyelet breakage, the most common mode of failure in standard absorbable anchors.

June 27, 2008 - A new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor said that healthcare automation is driving growth in speech technology and the leading vendors, Nuance and Philips, are providing specialized solutions.

The report, "Automating and Enhancing Processes through Voice in Desktop and Back Office Environments," explains that although adoption of PC-based speech recognition is not widespread, the technology has found its niche in the healthcare market, where automation and cost savings are key drivers.

June 27, 2008 - MEDISON Co. is planning a global launch of its new ultrasound, the ACCUVIX V20 model, in the second half of 2008, offering a faster and more convenient diagnosis and featuring an ergonomic design.

VolumeOS, the fundamental operating system of ACCUVIX V20, is commonly designated a hardware-software structure optimized for 3D/4D ultrasound diagnoses, helping practitioners who are used to 3D/4D diagnoses minimize redundant time, as well as allows those who have relatively little experience in such diagnoses to use its functions easily and quickly.

June 26, 2008 - Plans for appropriate respiratory protection are a major part of healthcare facilities' pandemic preparation and to assist with protecting frontline staff in the event of an outbreak, ECRI Institute and the International Association for Healthcare Safety and Security (IAHSS) present "Respiratory Protection: Preparing for Pandemic Flu" on Thursday, July 17.

This Web conference will help facilities understand risk reduction plans, a practical implementation approach, and how to select optimal respiratory protection through proactive assessment strategies.