Covidien has announced the global launch of the RapidVac(TM) Smoke Evacuator System — a powerful, efficient device that quietly filters airborne contaminants from the operating room environment. The System, an advance in effective control of surgical smoke, features an ultra low penetration air (ULPA) filter with 99.9995 percent efficiency at trapping particulate matter as small as 0.12 microns. The device’s maximum air flow – how much air can be filtered through the system – is 30 percent greater than that offered by previous models, but it operates quietly, without contributing to the ambient noise in the O.R.

Starch Medical Inc. has announced the CE approval of its PerClot(TM) Polysaccharide Hemostatic System (PHS) and the StarFoam(TM) Absorbable Polysaccharide Hemostat. Introduction of PerClot(TM) PHS will commence this month in the European Union and other select international markets. The StarFoam(TM) Absorbable Polysaccharide Hemostat will launch during the 2nd quarter, 2009. PerClot(TM) PHS is an absorbable, surgical hemostat composed of Absorbable Modified Polymers (AMP(TM)). AMP(TM) technology incorporates sophisticated, plant-based polymer modification processes that yield biocompatible, polysaccharide particles. There is no thrombin, collagen, or other human or animal components in AMP(TM) particles.

Ophthalmologists at South Nassau Communities Hospital are using a new micro-incision ophthalmologic surgical system that allows ophthalmologists to perform cataract surgery through a single incision that is 2.2mm or smaller. Traditional, no-stitch cataract surgery requires an incision that is 33 percent larger. In addition to this latest innovation in micro-incision eye surgery, South Nassau ophthalmologists are among the first in the region to use a cataract surgery system that has three different surgical options. This allows them to develop surgical approaches that are tailored to the needs of each patient.