July 28, 2008 - Geneva College, Beaver Falls, PA, will launch the first Cardiovascular Technology (CVT) graduate degree program in the nation.

In affiliation with INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, VA, the program offers students a M.S. degree in Cardiovascular Sciences. Geneva's incoming freshmen this fall will have the option of obtaining a B.S. (in four years) or a B.S./M.S. degree (in five years) in CVT. Students coming into the program with another B.S. degree can complete the M.S. in two years.

July 28, 2008 - Concentric Medical Inc. today said it launched its “V” series of Merci Retrievers, available in multiple configurations and sizes to match patient anatomy to remove blood clots and help restore blood flow in patients who have suffered ischemic strokes.

July 28, 2008 - OrbusNeich today added the Sapphire NC coronary dilatation non-compliant balloon catheter to its product line-up with the receipt of CE Mark approval.

The Sapphire NC has controlled growth of only 0.6 percent per atmosphere of pressure over the working pressure range for controlled dilatations. Furthermore, it has a high 22 atmospheres rated burst pressure for confident treatment of tough, calcified lesions and for post-stent dilatation.

July 25, 2008 - CryoCath Technologies Inc. said this week results previously presented from three European study centers using the company’s Arctic Front, a cryotherapy product to treat cardiac arrhythmias, were published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).

July 25, 2008 - The FDA granted 510(k) approval in June for numerous diagnostic and invasive cardiac devices, including both new devices and modified versions of existing equipment. Among the approvals were the following devices:

- CryoCath Technologies Inc. had its FlexCath Steerable Sheath and intended for percutaneous catheter introduction into the vasculature and into the chambers of the heart. The sheath deflection facilitates catheter positioning. It was previously approved to facilitate placing a catheter through the skin into the artery or vein.

July 25, 2008 – In an amended collaboration with Biosense Webster Inc., Stereotaxis Inc.’s partner in the development of ablation catheters used with its Niobe Magnetic Navigation System, Biosense Webster will provide Stereotaxis a total of $18 million, comprised of advances against royalties on catheter sales and deferrals of ongoing research and development costs in connection with current and future products.

July 25, 2008 - The cardiac transplant team from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney, Australia, will travel to Paris July 28-29 to begin the first phase of certification training for the CardioWest temporary total artificial heart (TAH-t).

July 25, 2008 - Inverness Medical Innovations Inc. and Thermo Fisher Scientific have extended their cardiology products distribution relationship by two years through December 2010, which covers all cardiology and drugs of abuse rapid test products manufactured by Inverness’ subsidiary Biosite.

These tests are sold under the Triage brand and include tests for BNP, troponin, CK-MB, Myoglobin, d-dimer and a broad range of meter and visually read drugs of abuse tests.

July 24, 2008 - Philips has a new addition to its HD ultrasound family of products, the Philips HD15 ultrasound system, which is designed to provide physicians with high-end imaging and workflow performance in a cost-effective system.

July 24, 2008 - According to a new Life Science Intelligence (LSI) report, “2008 Global Vascular Closure Device Markets: U.S., Europe, Rest of World,” the global market for vascular closure devices will reach nearly $1 billion in 2013.

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