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Canton, MA-Organogenesis Inc., has received FDA clearance to market its FortaPerm, a bioengineered surgical sling. The product, which uses the company's FortaFlex engineered collagen technology, is a natural collagen biomaterial indicated for urinary incontinence and vaginal prolapse. It is engineered to add long-term structural support to soft tissue where the patient's tissue is absent or inadequate, according to the company.

Los Angeles-Diagnostic Products Corp., has been granted FDA approval to market four PSA immunoassays for prostate cancer detection: Immulite PSA, Immulite 2000 PSA, Immulite Third Generation PSA, and Immulite 2000 Third Generation PSA. The assays are intended for in vitro diagnostic use with the Immulite and Immulite 2000 immunoassay analyzers.

Reading about the current state of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy related by one of its pioneers may give the impression that this procedure is relatively easy to perform in most patients with prostate cancer (see article, page 1). But it is important to realize that Claude Abbou, MD; Bertrand Guillonneau, MD; Guy Vallencien, MD; and others now have a large clinical experience with the procedure that did not occur overnight. I have been awed by the dedication shown by these French urologists in developing and refining what might be considered the "Mount Everest" of minimally invasive surgery.

Overactive bladder comprises a spectrum of conditions ranging from urgency-frequency syndrome to urge incontinence. The incidence of overactive bladder increases with age, with a prevalence exceeding 4% to 5.5% of the population. Its etiology is not clearly understood, and the treatment options often have poor efficacy and significant side effects.

Paris-Many therapies for urinary incontinence continue to suffer from a lack of definitive data from well-controlled clinical trials, according to a panel of experts convened by a group of international health organizations. Their findings were reported here at the Second International Consultation on Incontinence, which was sponsored by the World Health Organization International and organized by the International Consultation on Urological Diseases and the International Continence Society.

Charlottesville, VA-Use of molecular analysis for the uroplakin II (UPII) gene may potentially be a more sensitive method than conventional histopathology for identifying lymph node metastasis in patients with urothelial bladder cancer, according to a joint University of Virginia/University of Western Ontario study appearing in Clinical Cancer Research (2001; 7:1516-22).

Anaheim, CA-Leading urologic researchers, including several speakers at the AUA annual meeting, have issued a needle-sharp advisory to urologists who perform prostate biopsies: more samples are warranted, and they need to be taken in a single setting. You could call it-as some physicians do-a case for one-stop "extreme biopsy."

Washington-As Congress returns to Washington after its summer break, there is interesting news from the new Medicare chief, Thomas Scully, who is promising to make the agency he heads more responsive for physicians and beneficiaries .

A urologist who treated 65 patients after his license was suspended last November because he posed "a substantial danger to public health and safety" was ordered to spend 4 months in jail and pay a $10,000 fine.

The progressive DNA damage caused by aging has been linked with an increased risk for prostate cancer, according to a study published in Cancer Research (2001; 61:6025-8).

The field of urology experienced the largest increase in compensation for any medical or surgical specialty in the period 1999-2000, according to findings from the American Medical Group Association's 2001 Medical Group Compensation and Productivity Survey. The survey includes salary and productivity data on 93 specialties, 25 other health care provider positions, and 16 administrative positions.

On Thursday, August 2, 2001, the House of Representatives finally passed its version of the "Patients' Bill of Rights"-one that contains a cap on monetary awards to patients found to have been injured by an HMO's actions. First, I would like to reiterate that the AUA's top priority is a patient protection bill that will work and be signed by the president. AUA has been working to this end for the past 6 years, since joining the Patient Access Coalition. I can assure you that all of the recent bills-conservative and liberal-now contain the following principles long advocated by AUA:

Few medical practices have been able to compare their performance regarding revenues, productivity, utilization, and patient satisfaction with that of their colleagues, both inside and outside of their practice, because most physicians have not learned the importance of benchmarking. A possible exception is the occasional annual survey, which provide data that are often outdated by the time you make your assessment.

Baltimore-For the first time, urologists and gynecologists have the basis for a unified approach to the management of male infertility in a series of four practice policies jointly produced by AUA and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Newly elected AUA President E. Darracott Vaughan, Jr, MD, has committed to making research a top priority during his term. In part 1 of this exclusive two-part interview, he discusses the association's plans to enhance its research portfolio as well other key AUA initiatives. In part 2 next month, he addresses current practice issues facing urologists, including compliance and the work force. Dr. Vaughan is the James J. Colt professor and chairman of the department of urology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York. UT Editorial Consultant Richard D. Williams, MD, professor and chairman of urology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, conducted the interview.

Washington-This year's intensive push for an effective Patients' Bill of Rights has consumed much of the attention of those concerned about health policy and has overshadowed several other key initiatives that could also significantly affect urologists and their medical practices.

Washington-MDLinx has added a number of new features to its web site at www.urologylinx.com. An e-filing cabinet allows users to save specific articles and the results of searches to a personal electronic filing cabinet, where they can be sorted into user-created folders. Bookmarks enable users to save web addresses for particular journals, articles, or any other web sites into the same electronic filing cabinet and can then be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection and web browser. An updated newsletters section allows users to temporarily suspend newsletter delivery while on vacation or sabbatical. Registered users can also now elect to participate in market research.

Santa Barbara, CA-Mentor Corp. offers the Self-Cath Plus, an intermittent catheter with a hydrophilic coating for smooth insertion. The coating activates immediately upon exposure to water for fast, clean lubrication and maximum ease of use, the company says. To facilitate catheterization, the product offers an uncoated GripZone area for total control in handling.

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA-The FDA has granted approval to Applied Medical to market GelPort, a device that provides advanced access to the operative site during hand-access laparoscopy. The GelPort requires no double gloving, sleeves, adhesives, or attachments and gives the surgeon unlimited hand exchanges, the company says.

Peyronie's disease resulting in shorter and curved erections occurs more commonly than the 1% to 2% of the population related in textbooks. Patients with the problem may be embarrassed to come forward, or the angulation of the erection-although uncomfortable-may not prohibit intercourse. But with more open discussion of sexuality in all forms of the media, more men are coming forward for treatment of sexual problems. Past medical treatments have been unsuccessful in restoring a straight erection in such patients. Reports of newer treatments such as intralesional verapamil and collagenase have been inconsistent and must stand the test of time.

Anaheim, CA-The 1997 TNM staging system for renal cell carcinoma is coming under increasing scrutiny from a number of institutions, including UCLA, where researchers have not only called into question the discriminatory power of the system but have gone a step further by proposing an alternative system that they feel offers more accurate prognoses.

Borrowing funds often means a loan from your practice's principal or shareholder. Or, in many cases, the principal or shareholder borrows the funds from the practice. Either way, our tax laws create a number of obstacles that must be overcome to avoid the penalties and corresponding higher tax bills that can result from an Internal Revenue Service restructuring of the transaction.

As laptop computers have become more reliable, less fragile, and less expensive, these machines have gone from being a luxury to an everyday business tool. Many physicians travel frequently and often have projects or correspondence to work on at home and at the office. All of this can be made much more practical with a laptop computer.

Washington-The return of the U.S. Senate to Democratic control appears to improve the chances for passage of a patients' bill of rights, but it could reduce chances for real Medicare reform and consideration of some specific issues important to urologists.

South Easton, MA-The Digital Integration System 2000 from Solos Endoscopy provides high-resolution digital pictures of laparoscopic procedures, MRIs, x-rays and other microscopic images obtained from any standard one- or three-chip surgical camera. Images can be captured during surgery by pressing a foot pedal or by using the remote camera button on a video probe, the company says.

Culver City, CA-Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc., introduces the Autoclavable Telecam Parfocal Zoom Camera Head, offering both autoclave sterilization and zoom capabilities. The camera also offers steam and flash sterilization for faster reprocessing, according to the company. It is compatible with all Telecam camera control units, including those with advanced image processing modules for fine detail enhancement.

Knoxville, TN-DeRoyal has added three new products to its line of safety devices.

Fort Washington, PA-Biocoat, Inc., now offers literature describing the benefits of Hydak coatings, manufactured with hyaluronan, for use on catheters, guidewires, and other interventional medical devices. The full-color brochure details information on the coating's technology and process, in addition to the company's research and development capabilities.

Crestwood, IL-GKR Industries, Inc., offers the U.T. Bag System for the collection and containment of urine test strips. The system's patented one-way valve prevents leakage and contamination of the body fluid, according to the company.

Versailles, OH-Midmark Corp.'s new Soniclean line of ultrasonic cleaners offers fast, safe, and consistent cleaning of medical instruments and components. Specifically designed for quiet operation, the cleaners are comprised of acoustic pressure generated by a stack transducer and coupled with overlapping wave frequency technology to produce powerful cavitation, the company says. The cleaners are available in three sizes: M150, M250, and M550.