A short summary of recent product developments in the Orthopedics/Spine, Aesthetics, Stent, Surgery, and Vascular Markets.

While other medical device start-ups are turning away from international distribution, ev3, a new endovascular roll-up founded by a number of former SciMed executives, is preaching the value and importance of an international sales effort and are inviting other device companies to join them.

Most of the technological developments that have dramatically changed the cardiovascular device market are the result of innovation by small companies that were able to grow along with their products' successes. More recently, however, the device landscape has changed, especially for cardiovascular companies, primarily with large companies dominating distribution channels, making it tougher for small companies to bring products to market. By identifying an unmet clinical need in interventional cardiology and maintaining a competitive head start, PercuSurge is looking to turn the clock back to the days when a small company could carve out its own niche in this huge market.