Boston Scientific’s Kinetix guidewire promises more torque control: Boston Scientific Corp. (NYSE:BSX) announced new nitinol-based technology for guidewires, the small flexible wires used for control in percutaneous procedures. The Natick, Mass.-based medical device giant claims its new Kinetix guidewire boasts improved torque control and flexibility for getting around those tight corners in the left anterior descending artery. The improvements come from controlled flexibility in the sleeve itself, rather than from the center wire as with traditional spring coil design. The company claims it’s the first major advance in coronary guidewire technology in about 10 years.
The world’s first remote, robotic arrhythmia ablation: The world’s first remote robotic heart rhythm treatment procedure was conducted at University Hospitals of Leicester, England, using Catheter Robotics Inc.’s remote catheter manipulation system. A 70-year-old man with atrial fibrillation had a catheter ablation controlled by the robotic arm, while the cardiologist — sitting in a separate room — used remote control to steer the catheter endovascularly into the heart to correct faulty tissue fibers. Although it was controlled from an adjacent room in this case, the fully remote-controlled robot could be controlled from anywhere in the world. The procedure was successfully completed in one hour and the patient is supposedly doing well.
KCI’s portable negative-pressure wound therapy systems hits the market: Kinetic Concepts Inc. (NYSE:KCI) of San Antonio, Texas, is releasing the V.A.C.Via, a mobile version of its negative-pressure wound therapy system. The system, which won 510(k) clearance from the Food & Drug Administration in March, is slated for a global launch later this year.
Ergo portable nuclear imaging system wins 510(k) clearance: Digirad Corp. (NSDQ:DRAD) of Poway, Calif., received 510(k) clearance from the Food & Drug Administration to begin marketing its Ergo mobile nuclear imaging system. Thanks to its solid-state gamma camera, the device provides a degree of portability and flexibility not previously seen in the field. Imaging studies can be conducted in the nuclear medicine department or brought to the patient, saving time and improving patient satisfaction while delivering high quality results. The large-field, solid-state gamma camera also expands the reach of portable nuclear imaging to areas outside cardiology and oncology, offering a 12.25 in. x 15.5 in. field of view, an intrinsic spatial resolution of 3.25mm, an energy resolution of 7.9 percent and 5 Mcps. Digirad plans to begin shipping production units in June to hospitals in the U.S. and abroad.
A weekly roundup of new developments in medical technology, by MedGadget.com.