AccuVein AV300 gains CE Mark
The AccuVein AV300 now carries a CE Mark, enabling AccuVein LLC (AccuVein.com) to commence European sales of AccuVein’s AV300, a hand-held, non-contact vein illumination device.

The AccuVein AV300 helps advance patient care in a variety of settings by assisting healthcare professionals in locating the vein quickly for blood draws, intravenous lines and delivery of medications. Weighing only 10 ounces, the AV300 uses point-and-click technology — the healthcare professional presses a button and positions the device above the patient’s skin to display a map on the skin of underlying veins. With a range of hands-free options, the AV300 can quickly switch between a hand-held and hands-free mode, freeing the practitioner’s hands to perform the veinpuncture.

“Receiving approval to ship the AV300 to Europe is an important step in bringing this beneficial device to healthcare practitioners around the globe,” Stephen P. Conlon, president of AccuVein, said.
“Furthermore, Europe provides a significant growth opportunity for AccuVein allowing us to build upon our successful launch in the United States.”

ICU Medical, Medegen settle patent dispute
ICU Medical Inc. (www.icumed.com) and privately-held Medegen Inc. (medegen.com) have reached an agreement to end litigation in the Central District of California, alleging infringement of a patent owned by Medegen.

No terms of the agreement were announced, but in a joint announcement, both parties were said to be pleased to shift their focus from litigation to their business relationship.

ICU Medical develops, manufactures and sells proprietary, disposable medical connection systems for use in vascular therapy applications designed to protect patients from catheter-related bloodstream infections and healthcare workers from exposure to infectious diseases through accidental needle sticks or hazardous drugs.

Medegen is an innovator of infusion therapy, focused on helping hospitals drive greater clinical performance for improved patient care.

AGA Medical gets CE Mark for vascular plug, AVP 4
AGA Medical Corp. (amplatzer.com) has received European CE Mark approval for its AMPLATZER vascular plug, AVP 4. The device, which is indicated for arterial and venous embolizations in the peripheral vasculature, uses AMPLATZER’s proven mesh-braided Nitinol technology and may eliminate the need for catheter exchange, giving physicians a more efficient procedure. AGA Medical will begin marketing the AVP 4 in Europe immediately.

With its low profile, the AVP 4 allows delivery through a standard 0.038 diagnostic catheter. The physician can now choose to use one AVP 4 instead of what often becomes multiple coil implants — without factoring in the need for a catheter exchange.

The AVP 4 is a single-device solution for peripheral embolization, the practice of reducing or eliminating blood flow to an area of the body by blocking — or occluding — a blood vessel to treat a wide range of circulatory and internal organ diseases. The lower-profile AVP 4 extends the reach of the AMPLATZER vascular plug family to smaller and often more distal vasculature. The device’s multi-layered, double-lobed design provides rapid embolization. Additionally, the flexible mesh and floppy distal section of the delivery wire facilitates easy tracking through torturous anatomy.

Dr. Steve Elias receives peer recognition
Steve Elias, MD, FACS, FACPH, director of The Center For Vein Disease at Englewood Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center, has received two recent honors: He was chosen as one of New York Magazine’s 2009 “Best Doctors,” placing him in the top 2 percent of New York doctors; and he received an award at the fourth Annual Course in Venous Disease, sponsored by The Center For Vein Disease at Englewood Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Thomas F. O’Donnell Jr., MD, presented Dr. Elias with The Fellows Education Award, in recognition of being a lifelong champion for advancing the practice of venous disease. The Annual Course in Venous Disease was founded by Dr. Elias in 2005 due to the need for young physicians to learn about the modern management of vein disease. The course teaches young vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists the most up to date minimally invasive techniques used to treat vein problems.

New York Magazine selected Dr. Elias as part of its annual list of “Best Doctors” for his contributions in the field of vascular surgery and devotion to patient care. Doctors are nominated by and selected by peers.

Radia physicians honored as ‘Top Doctors’
Three Everett, Wash., physicians, who are affiliated with Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, were selected as “Top Doctors” as a result of a recent survey conducted by the Seattle Magazine.
Ten thousand physicians in the greater Seattle area were asked to select who they believe are among the best physicians, and the following Radia physicians were selected as their most recommended doctors: Maria Chong, MD, diagnostic radiology; Geoffrey Ferguson, MD, interventional radiology; and Greta Go, pediatric radiology.

 “Every year Evergreen Hospital Medical Center has many affiliated physicians, including Radia physicians, recognized as ‘Top Docs’ and this physician commitment to quality care is what has earned Evergreen Hospital Medical Center the top 5 percent nationwide hospital ranking for clinical excellence,” Mitch Weinberg, MD, PhD, vice president of medical affairs for Evergreen, said.

Rich Satre, MD, president of Radia (www.radia.net) said Radia is very proud to have its physicians selected by their colleagues. “Our overall mission is to provide referring providers and patients that we serve the most technologically advanced and high quality patient care possible through the expertise of our subspecialty radiology and vascular surgery physicians.”