Vscan
Roughly the size of a smart phone, Vscan (GE Healthcare, Wauwatosa, WI) houses ultrasound technology that provides clinicians with an immediate, noninvasive method to secure visual information about their patients. Vscan is portable and can easily be taken from room to room and used in many clinical, hospital, and primary care settings.

Although palpation and sense of touch are critical during a physical examination, having a tool at the clinician's fingertips to take a quick look inside a patient has the potential to help redefine the physical examination. According to the company, Vscan may help clinicians detect disease earlier, accelerate the time to treatment, and reduce patient wait times while helping to avoid unnecessary additional testing and improving physician workflow.

The Vscan imaging device received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration, CE Mark approval by the European Union, and the Medical Device License from Health Canada and is now commercially available in the United States, Europe, India, and Canada.

Engage and Engage TR Introducers
St. Jude Medical, Inc. (St. Paul, MN) recently announced US Food and Drug Administration clearance and European CE Mark approval for the Engage and Engage TR introducers for use in diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures. The Engage family of introducers incorporates features that offer more control and minimize risks both during access and throughout the procedure, the company stated.

According to St. Jude Medical, the Engage introducers are designed to provide femoral access to the vasculature, minimize trauma to the artery, and set the stage for the use of closure devices.

“The new Engage family of introducers help to set the stage for a successful procedure by reducing the number of potential variables that can affect patient outcomes,” Dr. Javier Goicolea from Hospital Puerta de Hierro in Majadahonda, Spain, said.