• Atlas Spine (Jupiter, Florida) reported launch of the Back-PAK discectomy set (DS), instruments are designed for proficiency and to provide "the optimum weight, balance, feel and control for the surgeon." The company said that the allows reduced invasiveness through accommodation of compromised disc space and preservation of bone. Atlas Spine said that the Back-PAK DS supports its philosophy "that an efficient and successful surgery is significantly impacted by less-invasive instrumentation and techniques as well as the implants themselves." Atlas makes spinal instruments and implants.

• Accuri Cytometers (Ann Arbor, Michigan) reported commercial launch of the Accuri C6 Flow Cytometer system for life sciences research. The Accuri C6 is a bench-top system featuring two-laser, six-detector analytical instrumentation that includes the C6 Flow cytometer, CFlow software and a PC. The C6 Flow cytometer System has detectors to capture both forward and side-scattered light, as well as four fluorescent detectors equipped with user-replaceable optical filters. Accuri redesigned the hardware, user interface and analysis software of the C6 system with input from both researchers who use flow cytometry on a regular basis and those whose use have been limited by lack of access. Accuri makes high-performance cell analysis systems.

• Carl Zeiss Meditec (Dublin, California) reported the introduction of two new optical coherence tomography (OCT) applications. With advanced algorithms available for Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT, ophthalmologists now have advanced imaging capabilities available for assessing and managing glaucoma and diseases of the retina. "The Cirrus HD-OCT provides the most detailed scan patterns and layer maps available for identifying retinal and glaucoma disease characteristics, and monitoring disease progression," according to the company. Stratus OCT features advanced serial analysis and guided progression analysis (GPA) software for objective measurement and subjective clinical evaluation in the detection of glaucoma and retinal diseases. OCT is an imaging method that uses light to scan the retina able to be performed on undilated pupils as small as 3 mm in diameter, providing real-time information about the structure of the living eye, using light to scan the retina and optic disc. Carl Zeiss Meditec makes ophthalmic devices and surgical systems.

• The Cooper Companies (Pleasanton, California) reported that its CooperVision subsidiary has introduced Avaira, its two-week replacement silicone hydrogel contact lens, in the U.S. Avaira features Aquaform technology, the same technology found in CooperVision's Biofinity monthly replacement silicone hydrogel contact lens. This formulation helps Avaira stay moist in the eye all day without surface treatments, additives or wetting agents. In addition, the combination of high oxygen transmissibility and 46% water content aids in lens-wearing comfort, according to CooperVision. The lens is designed with an optically optimized back surface and rounded edges for easy fitting and comfort.

• Immersion (San Jose, California) said that it is adding a module that includes suturing and knot-tying procedures and needle orientation and driving skills for the LaparoscopyVR (LapVR) surgical simulator. The simulator's suturing procedure provides practice in ligating loops, simple-interrupted, continuous, and horizontal-mattress techniques. Instead of presenting an artificial object for suturing, which is used in most other systems, the LapVR surgical simulator presents users with a realistic animated bowel of lifelike thickness. Users must drive the needle through exterior and internal surfaces of the bowel, bring the cut edges together, and tie knots securely. Because the algorithms that drive the simulator's responses are physics-based, the LapVR system can render very realistic tool-tissue interactions. The LapVR simulator's TouchSense technology provides physics-based responses enabling realistic graphical movement of tissue and organs and realistic forces felt through the trocar arms and handles. Immersion makes computer-based surgical simulation training systems.