NEW ADDITION TO VELA PLATFORM REDUCES THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE, CELLULITE WITH FEWER TREATMENTS Syneron Medical Ltd. introduces VelaShape, the newest addition to the Vela platform. This noninvasive device has received premarketing clearance by the FDA for the temporary reduction of the appearance of cellulite and thigh circumference. According to a spokesperson for the company, compared with the VelaSmooth, the VelaShape reduces treatment time because it is significantly stronger in power. With the VelaShape, patients can expect to see visible results in four treatments (one week apart) in a month's time compared with 12 to 16 treatments (twice weekly) over the course of approximately 1.5 months with the VelaSmooth. Actual treatment time per individual session has also been reduced to 30 minutes for thighs and 20 minutes for the abdomen with the VelaShape. The Vela platform was previously approved for treating cellulite, but in early August, the FDA granted premarketing clearance of the platform for the temporary reduction of thigh circumference as well. This clearance was based on a blinded, randomized clinical trial involving 66 women (21 to 62 years of age) who ranged from underweight to obese in size (73 percent had normal BMI). Participants had one thigh treated while their other thigh served as a control. The treated thigh had an average circumferential reduction of 0.75 inches (range: 0.12 to 2.8 inches) as measured three to four weeks after the final treatment.For more information: http://www.syneron.com/ GUIDE FOR PHYSICIAN RECRUITING, RETENTION The newly released Merritt, Hawkins & Associates Guide to Physician Recruiting is a no-nonsense book with information on how to recruit and retain physicians. This guide, based on extensive experience and research, walks the physician through all steps of preparation and implementation, beginning with the basics and advancing on to how to deal with challenges in today's market. The book reviews a cost-benefit recruitment analysis, compliance issues, staff planning, how to assemble a recruiting team, incentive packages and being competitive, where and how to look for recruits, interviewing and "selling the opportunity," physician retention and the role of locum tenens. It also contains summaries of 2005 and 2006 reports on physician compensation, guarantees, signing bonuses, CME allowances, relocation and current trends. The 156-page softbound book is published by Practice Support Resources. For more information: 800-967-7790 http://www.practicesupport.com/ PROCEDURE PACKS FOR COSMETIC SURGERY Cardinal Health has launched the Presource Standard Cosmetic Surgery Packs, prepackaged kits with core surgical components needed for common plastic surgery procedures. Packs are available for abdominoplasty, blepharoplasty, breast augmentation/reduction/lift, facial rhytidectomy, liposuction and rhinoplasty. These standard, disposable components help reduce setup time and ensure that needed supplies are consistently available, the company says. The kits can also assist surgery centers and hospitals in more accurately containing procedure costs by decreasing waste, saving time and ensuring that safe, cost-efficient items are used for each procedure. Customized packs are also available. Cardinal Health, located in Dublin, Ohio, is a global company that serves the healthcare industry with products and services to assist hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies to lower costs and to improve safety, productivity and profitability. For more information: 800-964-5227 http://www.cardinal.com/ |
