Development
MRI Sensor Could Improve Brain Imaging
 Neuroscientists from MIT (Cambridge, MA) have developed an MRI sensor that could greatly improve brain imaging. The sensor changes its magnetic properties in response to dopamine. "This new tool connects molecular phenomena in the nervous system with whole-brain imaging...
Sleek, Mini Ultrasound Treats Pain from the Pocket
Developed at Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), a miniature ultrasound device might be able to deliver therapy from inside a patient's pocket. The device delivers ultrasound waves into muscles through a transducer about the size of a coin, which is placed directly on the skin and...
Magnesium Bone Void Filler gets FDA Clearance
Bone Solutions Inc. (BSI) announced today that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for a proprietary bone void filler, OsteoCrete, which represents a critical milestone in the company’s efforts to establish a platform for its patented magnesium-based technology. According to the...
Eye Implants at ASME
Nerac Analyst Richard Hendriks, Ph.D., will present a session titled, “Retinal Implants Open the Shutters on Blindness ,” at the ASME Emerging Technologies’ 4th Frontiers in Biomedical Devices Conference in Irvine, CA, June 8–9, 2009. The presentation addresses the...
Update: Biocompatibility Materials Database
ASM International, the materials information society, launched Materials & Processes for Medical Devices in 2003 to fill the knowledge gap between designers medical devices and materials engineers. The database has now reached a significant milestone, providing a total of 22,...
Natural Rubber Latex Alternative
Vytex Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is a patented specialty chemical that reduces antigenic proteins found in natural latex, which could prevent latex allergies from developing. Vystar Corp. (Duluth, GA) is working with more than 45 manufacturers to conduct trials worldwide where Vytex...
Artificial Heart On the Horizon
A start-up biomedical company is assembling a completely artificial heart which it says will be ready for use by 2011. Backed by the noted French scientist Alain Carpentier, the VC group Truffle, and the French innovation agency, Carmat will develop the new heart in a facility close...
Plastics Web Site Hits Refresh
The plastics processing industry now has a new information resource and web community called plasticstoday.com, announced by Canon Communications LLC's Plastics & Processing Group during the gathering of plastics professionals at the PLASTEC / Plastics USA 2008 trade show on...
A PEEK Web Site Focuses on Education
Editor Steven M. Kurtz has announced the launch of MedicalPEEK.org, an educational site about medical PEEK polymer Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymers are used in medical devices requiring implantation or blood, bone and tissue contact greater than 30 days. Used in spinal fusion...
Investments in Bone Material
Competitive Technologies Inc. announced that Soteira Inc., has completed a second fund raise for a total of approximately $18 million in Series A and B financing. Massachusetts-based Soteira, a privately-held developer of treatment systems for compressed vertebral fractures, is the...