Tuesday, March 3, 2009

VGI Announces the Launch of DISMISS� Instruments for the VerteLoc™ Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization System

VGI Announces the Launch of DISMISS® Instruments for the VerteLoc™ Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization System

VGI introduces a revolutionary surgical instrument system that is smaller in diameter than a pencil. The DISMISS® instrument system is designed specifically for the implantation of the VerteLoc™ Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization System and will be unveiled at the Congress of Neurological Surgeons meeting in Phoenix, Arizona starting on March 12, 2009.

Winston-Salem, NC (PRWEB) March 3, 2009 -- VG Innovations, Inc. (www.vginnovations.com) (VGI), announces the launch of a new surgical instrumentation system, named DISMISS®.

"DISMISS® stands for Directional Instrument System for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery," stated VGI's President and CEO, Dan Grayson. "We have received very positive feedback from our surgeon users, regarding the biomechanical advantages of the VerteLoc™ Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization system, so the next logical step was to further refine the system's current instrumentation. We have now taken minimally invasive spinal facet fusion to a whole new level with the DISMISS® instruments."

"The DISMISS® instruments, used specifically for the implantation of the VerteLoc™ implants, are smaller in diameter than a pencil," noted Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Dr. Tov Vestgaarden. "In addition, we have not only reduced the size, but also the number of instruments required for surgical implantation. This is just the beginning of a whole new era in surgical instrumentation from VGI."

"New sets of the DISMISS® instruments will be distributed during the second and third quarters of 2009 to select VGI distributors throughout the United States," Grayson added. "These new instruments will allow our distributors to introduce the VerteLoc™ system to a more diverse surgeon base."

The VerteLoc™ Minimally Invasive Spine Stabilization System (www.verteloc.com) is designed to allow earlier intervention in the continuum of spinal care. The procedure should prolong or prevent more invasive spine procedures in indicated patients, which would provide significant benefits to the quality of life versus traditional methods of spinal fusion.

Company Profile

VG Innovations, Inc, is a privately held company and was formed in late 2007. The company is in the business of developing and commercializing proprietary, implantable devices with a specific focus on minimally invasive surgical products that could provide better surgical solutions over present technology. The products are designed to treat specific spinal disease indications that affect millions of people. More information on the company and its products can be found at: www.verteloc.com.

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Contact Information Dan Grayson

VG Innovations, Inc

http://www.verteloc.com

336-760-2012



The Health Alliance's Dennis Robb Announced Contracting Professional of the Year by The Journal of Healthcare Contracting

The Health Alliance's Dennis Robb Announced Contracting Professional of the Year by The Journal of Healthcare Contracting

Pioneer in healthcare supply chain honored for accomplishments

Dallas (Vocus) March 3, 2009 -- Dennis Robb, senior vice president, supply chain management (www.broadlane.com), The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, was recently announced 2008 Contracting Professional of the Year by The Journal of Healthcare Contracting.

Described as a pioneer in healthcare for more than three decades, Robb was selected to receive this honor based on his accomplishments in supply chain management and history of clinical and executive leadership.

As the senior vice president of supply chain management (www.broadlane.com) for The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, Robb is continually seeking avenues for improvement for the 929-bed health system and manages its $369 million supply and capital spend. Robb is also responsible for initiation of value analysis committees and leadership of multidisciplinary teams of doctors, nurses, pharmacy, information technology and bioengineering professional for the management of capital procedures, contracting and contract compliance, system-wide standardization, price verification documentation of audited savings, vendor negotiations, environmental responsibility and economic inclusion.

"We congratulate Dennis on his latest achievement," said David Ricker, president and chief executive officer, Broadlane. "He is a valuable member on our Executive Steering Committee, helping drive all contracting decisions and awards. Dennis has also emerged as a leader in Supplier Diversity, working with the Broadlane Supplier Diversity Contracting team to implement the methods by which to execute and track results of The Health Alliance's supplier diversity initiative."

One of Robb's most notable achievements is the 2008 Corris Boyd Leadership and Diversity Award from the Federation of American Hospitals. This award was presented for Robb's efforts to create an environment of cooperation and commitment within The Health Alliance, which helped the health system reach a $23 million diverse supplier spending goal in its first year.

"I work daily with Dennis on supply chain initiatives," said Ruby Kern, vice president, enterprise accounts, Broadlane. "In my 35 years of supply chain experience, I've never come across anyone as passionate as Dennis is about meeting supply chain, environmental and supplier diversity goals."

In 10 months, The Health Alliance reached and exceeded the $23 million target with certified diverse suppliers and was recognized with awards from the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. The number of diverse suppliers grew 360 percent over a year. Over the past three years, the organization has maintained its commitment, spending a total of $90 million with diverse suppliers.

"We are very proud of Dennis' newest honor as Contracting Professional of the Year," said Ken Hanover, chief executive officer, the Health Alliance. "He has done an extraordinary job managing our supply chain. Dennis' optimism, professionalism and commitment to excellence are outstanding attributes, and this recognition is something in which we can all take pride."

About The Journal of Healthcare Contracting

The Journal of Healthcare Contracting is the only publication that is solely devoted to the contracting arena of healthcare. It focuses on the interactions of the four primary stakeholders in healthcare contracting: health systems and their facilities, manufacturers and suppliers, distributors and group purchasing organizations. The participants in the contracting arena will grow to rely on The Journal of Healthcare Contracting for industry understanding, insight into the minds of thought leaders and collaboration opportunities amongst contracting constituents.

About The Health Alliance

The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, which includes the University, Jewish and Fort Hamilton hospitals, Drake Center, West Chester Medical Center and the physicians of Alliance Primary Care, continues to be Cincinnati's largest healthcare provider and recently expanded its physician practice by acquiring Greater Cincinnati Associated Physicians. The Health Alliance, which employs 7,800 people, has been recognized for its progressive supplier diversity and disability services programs. For more information on the Health Alliance, visit

www.health-alliance.com.

About Broadlane

Broadlane is the leading cost management company for healthcare providers. Broadlane's scalable business solutions optimize operational performance and achieve significant cost savings, thereby improving the overall financial performance of its clients. Its core services include supply chain management and clinical workforce management services.

Broadlane's comprehensive supply chain services include:

• Unparalleled national and custom contracting for supplies, pharmaceuticals, equipment and purchased services

• Innovative Procurement Services and purchase transaction management

• Clinical Services for managing clinical preference items and operating room and cath lab spending

• Comprehensive Materials Management Services - including outsourcing

• Informatics - benchmarking, advanced analytics and reporting

• Supply chain technology and e-commerce

Broadlane Workforce Management™ addresses nurses and allied healthcare practitioners and includes:

• External shift and agency management services

• Internal shift management, including electronic shift auctions

• Regional nurse float pool management and internal agency management

• E-commerce workforce exchange linking healthcare providers, clinical staff and agencies, enabling efficient shift management and fulfillment and reconciliation

Broadlane's clients include leading providers such as Advocate Health Care, Ascension Health, Beaumont Hospitals, CHRISTUS Health, Continuum Health Partners, Kaiser Permanente, Kindred Healthcare, MedCath Corporation, New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Health System, Tenet Healthcare, The Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, US Oncology and UMass Memorial Health Care.

The company is headquartered in Dallas with offices in Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, New York City and Oakland. For more information, visit www.broadlane.com.

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Contact Information Jim Webb

http://www.broadlane.com

972-813-7782



Sunetics' New Laser Paddle Brush for Hair Enhancement Provides Largest Coverage Area of All Hand-Held Devices

Sunetics' New Laser Paddle Brush for Hair Enhancement Provides Largest Coverage Area of All Hand-Held Devices

New hair enhancement laser device offers best coverage available.

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) March 3, 2009 -- Sunetics International announces the official launch of the new Laser Paddle Brush, an advanced at-home hair care device for men and women with weak or thinning hair that delivers a greater degree of low level laser energy to the scalp than any other hand-held unit on the market.

"Sunetics' Laser Paddle Brush is an important advancement for consumers as it provides the maximum level of scalp coverage at a more optimal low level laser energy wavelength than any other 'brush' or 'comb' currently available," said Dr. Charles Maricle, Chief Technological Officer of Sunetics International. "Low level laser therapy has been demonstrated to effectively improve the appearance of hair, making it look fuller, thicker, shinier and healthier."

With the new Laser Paddle Brush, Sunetics has enhanced the size of the laser area by creating three rows of laser diodes utilizing 12 true laser diodes. Sunetics also uses its patented technology to expand the laser beam pattern, thus creating a superior coverage area of laser energy. The Laser Paddle Brush was developed to deliver the largest coverage area of all hand-held devices so that consumers can experience in the privacy of their own homes the maximum amount of laser energy at the optimal wavelength level. The average usage time is just 10 minutes per day, three times per week.

"Customers who use the Sunetics' Laser Paddle Brush for at-home laser hair therapy care will also be able to use it on the road when they travel since it is so portable as well as rechargeable," says John Carullo, Director of Marketing for Sunetics.

Key Facts for Consumers About the Sunetics' Laser Paddle Brush:

•    Maximum Laser Energy - Designed with 12 true laser diodes, the most of any other hand-held unit on the market. Each laser diode used for hair rejuvenation has a wavelength of 650 nm.

•    Superior Scalp Coverage - Uses multiple, wide-pattern, true laser diodes to provide maximum coverage of the scalp for men and women. The laser diodes are positioned on the brush to produce an expanded elliptical laser light pattern that provides maximum coverage of the scalp.

•    Portable - Unlike other hand-held laser devices that are plugged in, the Laser Paddle Brush is cordless and uses a rechargeable battery to make it portable and easier to use with maximum energy.

•    Unique Bristle Design - A true laser "brush," the device has over 75 soft, gentle scalp-massaging bristles. The unique soft bristles are designed to not break or damage fine or weakened hair.

•    Certified, Patented and Approved - The Laser Paddle Brush is a U.S. patented device (#7,258,695) that is CE-certified and complies with all FDA manufacturing standards and safety regulations for personal use as well as 11 FDA performance standards for laser products.

Evidence for Low Level Laser Hair Therapy:

In January of 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially cleared the first hand-held laser device (www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf6/K060305.pdf) to treat hair loss and to re-grow hair.

Previous cosmetic clinical studies performed by Sunetics have shown that, as a result of its laser hair therapy program, 86-percent of participants reported the appearance of healthier hair, 78-percent reported the appearance of thicker hair, 76-percent reported the appearance of fuller hair and 85-percent of the participants reported overall satisfaction with the Sunetics Laser Hair Therapy program.

About Sunetics International

Sunetics International is a leading U.S. manufacturer of low level laser devices that are regularly used by doctors for the care of weak or thinning hair. Sunetics also offers devices for acne, wrinkles and skin rejuvenation. Established in 2003, Sunetics is a registered cosmetic manufacturer with the FDA and provides both hand-held laser devices and in-office clinical laser units. For more information about low level laser devices or products from Sunetics, visit www.sunetics.com or call 1-888-266-2232.

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Contact Information John Carullo

Sunetics International

http://www.sunetics.com

888-266-2232