GS Medical USA Announces FDA Clearance and Launch of AnyPlus(R) T/PLIF Cage

FDA Approves Inspire(R) Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

MINNEAPOLIS, May 1, 2014 -- (Healthcare Sales & Marketing Network) -- Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Inspire Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) therapy for use in a subset of patients with moderate to severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) who are unable to use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP). Inspire therapy is a fully implanted neurostimulation device, the first of its kind for sleep apnea, that provides an alternative treatment that is proven, convenient and easy to use.

Cooling system may have neuroprotective effects in acute stroke

A poster presented at the European Stroke Conference (6–9 May 2014, Nice, France) by Robbert-Jan van Hooff (Department of Neurology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium) and colleagues reports that surface cooling of the neck with a surface cooling system could contribute to therapeutic hypothermia and neuroprotective effects in acute stroke.

New MRI CryoProbe delivers highest sensitivity in rat brain in vivo imaging

At the joint ISMRM-ESMRMB 2014 meeting (10–16 May, Milan, Italy), Bruker announced a new phased array MRI CryoProbe for in vivo neuroimaging that delivers unparalleled access to rat brain microstructure and biochemistry, previously unresolvable in in vivo imaging of the rat. The sensitivity increase by up to a factor of 2.4 allows researchers to reduce imaging times by a factor of 5, or to increase spatial resolution.

NeuroVascular Quality Initiative launches first procedure module: Acute Ischaemic Stroke

The Society of NeuroInterventional Surgery and M2S announced the launch of the NeuroVascular Quality Initiative, a multi-module registry system designed to track performance and outcomes data across a variety of neurovascular conditions. The launch debuts the Acute Ischaemic Stroke module, which will be used to track and benchmark clinical performance at the centre level and nationally, providing valuable insight into the effectiveness of endovascular interventions and associated devices in treating a condition known to be the nation’s fourth leading cause of death. The NeuroVascular Quality Initiative is now officially enrolling hospitals and specialists in the Acute Ischaemic Stroke module.

Study reinforces value of high-field iMRI in brain tumour resection

IMRIS has announced that a study published in the journal Neurosurgery by the neurosurgical team at Cleveland Clinic (USA) adds to growing clinical evidence which validates use of high-field intraoperative MRI (iMRI) as an effective tool for maximising the amount of surgical resection of gliomas (brain tumours).

Carotid stenosis without warning may signal memory and thinking decline

For the first time, researchers have demonstrated that asymptomatic carotid stenosis may be linked to problems in learning, memory, thinking and decision-making, compared to people with similar risk factors but no carotid stenosis.

Covidien implements voluntary recall of its Pipeline embolisation device and Alligator retrieval device

Covidien has announced that it has notified customers of a voluntary recall to address an issue with certain lots of its Pipeline embolisation device and Alligator retrieval device where the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating applied to the delivery wire could delaminate and detach from the devices.

World’s first high-field MRI-guided radiation therapy system being installed at Dutch medical centre

Elekta, Royal Philips and University Medical Center Utrecht (the Netherlands) announced that the initial components of the world’s first high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guided radiation therapy system are being installed at University Medical Center Utrecht. According to a company release, this marks a significant milestone toward the development of a clinical system capable of capturing highly detailed MR images of tumours and surrounding normal tissues as a patient receives radiotherapy. Development of the high-field MRI-guided linear accelerator (linac) is the mission of the MR Linac Research Consortium headed by Elekta and supported by Philips.

CE mark approval for Airo mobile intraoperative CT

Brainlab and Mobius Imaging announced CE mark approval for Airo mobile intraoperative computed tomography. The CE mark allows Brainlab to begin installation of the systems sold in the European Union.

Ultralow radiation for neck CT angiography could be the next screening test for carotid disease

At the International Stroke Conference (12–14 February 2014, San Diego, USA) NeuroNews spoke to Javier Romero (director of ultrasound, clinical director of the Neurovascular Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Heart, Vascular and Stroke Care, Boston, USA) about his poster presentation: “Could CT angiogram be the next screening test for carotid disease? Ultralow radiation for neck CT angiography.” He discussed ultralow radiation as an intermediate imaging tool to bridge the gap between ultrasound and CT angiography

Proximal artery occlusions: Are further interventional trials warranted?

The natural history of patients with proximal large artery occlusions is poor, despite medical treatment. Several clinical and radiographic factors have been shown to be associated with poor outcome including National Insitutes of Health Stroke Scale score (NIHSS)>10, older age, and poor collaterals on computed tomography (CT) angiography. Despite the robust effect of thrombolytic therapy in achieving recanalisation and improving outcome, patients with proximal large artery occlusion have a fair response with relatively low recanalisation rates and poor long-term outcomes. Even with intravenous thrombolysis, the recanalisation rate of proximal middle cerebral artery occlusion was only 20‒50%. This prompted the stroke community to investigate additional therapies to increase recanalisation rates and improve the natural course of this disease

AccessClosure Launches Mynx Ace Vascular Closure Device

According to AccessClosure, the Mynx Ace is a safe and secure vascular closure device that provides consistent results with a new, easy-to-use deployment system to seal femoral artery access sites. Mynx Ace can be used with patients who have undergone diagnostic or interventional endovascular procedures utilizing a 5-F, 6-F, or 7-F procedural sheath.

Stroke: the risks, symptoms and increasing awareness

Approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke every year. Of these, almost 6 million die, while a further 5 million are left permanently disabled. But although stroke is one of the leading causes of death globally, many people remain unaware of the signs and symptoms to look out for, therefore putting their health at risk.

Controlling blood pressure after stroke ´halves risk of recurrence´

Around 750,000 Americans have a stroke every year. Of these, 5-14% will have a second stroke within 12 months. But new research suggests that if blood pressure is consistently controlled after an initial stroke, the risk of a second one could be reduced by more than 50%.