In a new short film, healthcare company CareFusion demonstrates how millions of microbes on the skin of patients awaiting medical procedures can cause infections, with the help of the British Sitcom ‘Peep Show’ star David Mitchell and some animated video nasties.

Normally the microbes are present on the skin and exist without causing any harm. However, when a patient undergoes surgery or other invasive procedure, these same microbes can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing serious infection. Surgical sites are usually prepared with either a bulk bottle, wipe or spray, but these can sometimes prove ineffective or provide incomplete disinfection coverage.

But, as the video demonstrates, there is now a more effective way to treat the skin before surgery or invasive procedure. ChloraPrep medical skin antiseptic is used for surgical site infection prevention and control, and possesses some unique features which significantly improve decontamination. Visit http://www.bugsonyourskin.com/ to watch the video.

ArthroCare Corp. announced that it has received clearance from the FDA to market its Parallax(R) Contour(R) Vertebral Augmentation Device (Contour) specifically for void creation in a vertebral body followed by injection of bone cement. Vertebral body void creation followed by bone cement augmentation is commonly used to treat painful vertebral compression fractures. The Contour device is indicated for use during kyphoplasty or vertebral augmentation procedures to create a void in the vertebral body.

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TYRX, Inc. introduces AIGISRx® ST, its antibacterial product for the surgical repair of damaged or ruptured soft tissue. TYRX had previously received 510(k) clearance to market a product for hernia repair and other abdominal soft tissue deficiencies. The new clearance adds the use as a soft tissue patch to reinforce soft tissue where weakness exists and for the surgical repair of damaged or ruptured soft tissue.

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Spectrum Surgical Instruments Corp. is proud to announce that its new, Processing Essentials Catalog 9th Edition is now available. The full-color, 76-page catalog features many new products for surgery and central sterile supply — from surgical instrument cleaning brushes, instrument education, inspection and sharpness testing aides — to instrument trays, accessories, and protection devices.

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Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation has announced the introduction of a new line of extended length and “detachable” Ruggles(TM) kerrison rongeurs, which are key instruments used in a variety of neuro and spine surgeries. The Ruggles(TM) kerrison rongeurs with a detachable feature received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The new feature allows for easier cleaning, and special coatings help preserve the instrument’s sharpness.

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MicroAire Surgical Instruments announced the acquisition of Endotine® bioabsorbable, soft-tissue fixation systems for facial aesthetic surgery. Endotine® is a patented system that allows surgeons to attach soft tissue to bone, or to other soft tissue — using special tines instead of sutures — thereby avoiding the tissue-strain associated with sutures. Although Endotine® devices have the holding power of multiple sutures; the system has more in common with hook-and-loop systems, than with traditional needle and thread.

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3M Co is making it third acquisition in less than a month by proposing to buy Arizant, a maker of patient warming products to prevent hypothermia during surgery, for $810 million in cash. Its products include Bair Hugger therapy, the Bair Paws patient adjustable warming system, and the Ranger blood and fluid warming systems. Arizant products help maintain normal body temperature, known as normothermia which help prevent surgical site infections.

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The global market for cardiovascular surgery devices was valued at $2 billion in 2009, and is forecast to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3% to reach $2.4 billion in 2016. The market is expected to be driven by patient population suffering from Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and their increased awareness and safety of cardiovascular surgery over Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) in some cases, such as three vessel coronary artery disease.

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Monteris Medical Inc. has raised $3.4 million in equity for a device that enables minimally invasive laser surgery for brain tumors. Monteris’ AutoLITT System received clearance for use in neurosurgery from the FDA last year. The AutoLITT procedure uses an MRI to guide a laser that allows doctors to watch and adjust as they heat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors, reduce them to a pasty state and remove the tumor.

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South Korea-based Medyssey Co., Ltd. announced that the Company has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Zenius(TM) Thoracolumbar Spinal System. Though currently available in limited release, Medyssey will launch the new Zenius(TM) System in the United States in Q4. The Zenius(TM) System is a Ti alloy 5.5 mm Rod and Thoracolumbar Pedicle Screw Construct for the surgical treatment of spinal trauma, deformity, and degenerative spinal pathologies.

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