GE Healthcare has installed the first  Discovery IGS 730 system for hybrid operating rooms and imaging departments in France. It will allow performing complex minimally-invasive endovascular and percutaneous procedures on inoperable patients suffering from cardiovascular pathologies such as ruptured aorta aneurysms, fainting spells or cerebrovascular accidents.

“The Discovery IGS 730 is a true innovation allowing us to conduct complex minimally invasive hybrid procedures in a secure setting. With this technology we are treating 'high risk' patients unfit for open surgery. In a year, this technology will allow us to perform 500 complex aortic repairs in such patients. The majority of patients will have a reduced hospital stay and a quick return to normal activity. In addition, in terms of mobility/patient access and the ergonomics of the operating room, this is a huge step forward”, says Prof. Haulon, head of Vascular Surgery Department, University Hospital of Lille, France.

A Major Innovation Developed and Produced in France: Discovery IGS 730.
The hybrid operating room allows both open surgery and catheter-based imaging therapies to take place in the same operating room. The hybrid OR enables multiple physicians (surgeons, Interventionalist, nurses, anaesthesiologists, and technicians) to perform a new spectrum of minimally invasive therapies with the goal of ultimately enabling better patient care. These complex minimally-invasive endovascular and percutaneous procedures will allow discharging patients much faster (five days in comparison to an average of 10 days) and reduce patient rehabilitation.

“In designing the Discovery IGS 730, it was always our goal to provide the latest in interventional efficiency – with high precision imaging capability and exceptional in-room mobility. This solution aims to accommodate a wide range of minimally invasive and surgical procedures. Due to the technological innovation and the advanced application portfolio available, we hope it will allow our customers to explore and discover new ways within both the interventional and the operating room,” says Chantal Le Chat, general manager, Premium Angiography, GE Healthcare, Detection & Guidance Solutions.

The Discovery IGS 730 is a laser-guided, mobile gantry, a first-of-its kind in interventional imaging. The system is neither floor nor ceiling mounted and enables full patient access, creating an interventional environment without boundaries. It has the mobility of a C-arm with the power and image quality of a fixed system, allowing multiple parking possibilities, while helping maintain sterility for a flexible and secure OR environment. It is intended for oncology (hepatic and bone tumors), neurology (aneurysms and brain tumors), as well as cardiovascular patients (stent appositions). Discovery IGS 730 is the only x-ray angiographic medical imaging system with such mobility in the world.

Discovery IGS 730, the Outcome of a 32 Million Euro Investment in France.
In total, 12 international patents have been registered for this ground-breaking technological innovation. Discovery IGS 730 has been developed within the IRIMI project, a public-private partnership that involved several French laboratories and partially funded by the French government (IRIMI project).

“With the installation of the Discovery IGS 730 in France, our R&D factory of Buc (Parisian Region) has become the birthplace of a ground-breaking innovation in worldwide surgery. With this, our 420 France-based researchers have proven to be able to find technological innovations that allow new treatments, reduce risks for the patients and provide solutions for health professionals,” declares Robert Sigal, CEO, GE Healthcare France.

Officials at American National Carbide announce the launch of the Synergy line of indexable carbide turning inserts. Synergy’s state of the art carbide substrate, enhanced by the latest nano coating technology, is engineered to perform at the elevated temperatures that are common when machining superalloys. Synergy’s innovative design and proprietary post-coating treatment ensure optimal chip control while reducing cutting forces. From roughing to finishing, Synergy offers a total high temperature solution:

--Functional 100° roughing corner for enhanced productivity
--Coolant flow channel for efficient temperature regulation
--Positive ground land to reduce cutting forces
--Multiple obstructions for optimal chip control
--Helical land angle to resist DOC notching
--Mechanical post-treatment to reduce friction
--Post-coating surface grind for maximum stability
--Wide chip breaking range
--SG style for General Purpose
--SF Style for Finishing
--SR Style for Roughing

Officials at The DePuy Synthes Companies of Johnson & Johnson announce that Max Reinhardt has been named Worldwide President of DePuy Synthes Spine, a global leader in spinal care. Reinhardt has been with the company since 2002, most recently as vice president of Worldwide Marketing.

Reinhardt began his career with DePuy Spine in 2002 as director of Sales and Marketing in the U.K. Four years later he became vice president of Sales in the United States, and in early 2011, was named vice president of Worldwide Marketing. In 2012, when Johnson & Johnson completed its acquisition of Synthes Inc., Reinhardt was charged with helping to integrate the global spine divisions of both companies into DePuy Synthes Spine.

DePuy Synthes Spine has one of the largest and most diverse portfolios in Spine that includes traditional and minimally invasive devices and solutions for a wide range of spinal disorders. Headquartered in Raynham, MA, DePuy Synthes Spine is part of the DePuy Synthes Companies, which offer treatments and solutions that span joint reconstruction, trauma, spine, sports medicine, neurological, craniomaxillofacial, power tools, and biomaterials.
 

Microsulis Medical Ltd., the medical device company specialising in minimally invasive, microwave ablation technology for the coagulation of soft tissue, has received FDA clearance for its upgraded Accu2i pMTA applicator.

The initial version of the single, high-power, high-frequency 2.45GHz saline-cooled needle was cleared for use in the U.S. as part of the Acculis MTA system in 2010. Following two years of global distribution, and in response to customer feedback and growing product demand, Microsulis has updated the device’s design and manufacturing process. Improvements include a refined optically clear moulded handle and improved connection cartridge.

Clinicians will continue to get the same results from Mark 2 of this market leading, minimally invasive product, while benefiting from improvements in the look and feel of the device. The changes also allow Microsulis to scale-up production output to satisfy its expanding customer base.

Stuart McIntyre, CEO of Microsulis Medical says: “2.45GHz microwave ablation is becoming the new global standard for volume tissue coagulation, giving clinicians options for patients that were not possible with radiofrequency ablation technology.

“To keep up with demand and fuel the growth of this technology, it was necessary to introduce production and design solutions to allow large volume, scalable, high-quality manufacturing. Hence we have introduced a new improved design that has now received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“The product continues to be available for global distribution and, with this clearance, we look forward to offering this new applicator to our many U.S.-based customers.”

Clinicians will notice the Accu2i pMTA applicator’s handle has undergone an ergonomic redesign, with ridged contact points and a more tactile feel. The optical grade clear applicator casing has been refined to allow the user to see the coolant flowing through the applicator. The coolant spike tubes have also been colour coded to provide a visual aid for ease of manufacture.

The Accu2i pMTA cartridge, that connects the applicator to the Local Control Station (LCS), has also been given an ergonomic makeover. Clinicians will notice the casing is both more pleasing to handle and robust in design, making it easier to use. Within the cartridge, parts have been revised to further improve the coolant flow through the system and simplify the build.