The latest product approvals and launches.

Noteworthy news from medtech start-ups. This month we profile Magellan Spine Technologies, which aims to improve disc annular repair and r4 vascular, which is developing biomimetic-coated catheters.

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, "Despite Challenges, Congestive Heart Failure Draws A Crowd," features profiles of miRagen, NellOne Therapeutics, Phrixus Pharmaceuticals and Sorbent Therapeutics. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Ambicare, Anulex Technologies, NeoTract and Sistemic.

One of the few surgical procedures that does not routinely involve closing tissue is a lumbar discectomy to repair a disc herniation, because up until recently there has been no easy and effective technique. The standard of care is to let the surgical opening attempt to heal on its own. However this neglect results in roughly 15% of cases requiring reoperation due to reherniation. Anulex Technologies Inc.’s Xclose tissue repair system provides surgeons with the opportunity to approximate and close the tissue of the anulus fibrosus immediately following a discectomy.