• Calypso Medical Technologies (Anaheim, California) reported the publication of data from a study demonstrating the use of the Calypso System in tracking tumor movement in the pancreas. The system provides real-time tumor tracking during radiation treatment. Tracking tumor motion is critical for radiation treatments because gross patient movement or internal motion of the organ and tumor increases the likelihood that the radiation beam will miss the intended target thereby delivering radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue. Calyps's technology uses miniature transponders implanted in the diseased organ to provide accurate, precise, continuous real-time information about the tumor position during external beam radiation therapy.

• Cardium Therapeutics (San Diego) and its subsidiary Tissue Repair Company (TRC), reported the completion of their MATRIX Phase IIb clinical study and the reporting of detailed safety and efficacy data for their Excellarate product for treatment for patients with non-healing diabetic ulcers. Excellarate is a collagen-based topical gel using TRC's Gene Activated Matrix that is designed to locally stimulate the release of platelet-derived growth factor-B protein (PDGF-B), an important key in the human body's wound healing process. Sustained, localized micro-release of PDGF-B by a patient's own cells directly at the wound site is believed to stimulate angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation through the recruitment and proliferation of cells such as monocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells. These cell types are critical for the effective stimulation of a variety of wound healing processes.

• Confirma (Bellevue, Washington) said that Shields MRI has integrated nine next generation CADstream systems into its facilities throughout Massachusetts. CADstream is a dedicated MRI-CAD system which automates the analysis, reporting, monitoring and interventional planning of studies, and promotes standardization of MRI studies with the incorporation of recognized standards. CADstream scales to meet customer workflow needs, whether just beginning or expanding an MRI program. Specific applications include breast and prostate.

• Cyberonics (Houston) said the FDA has approved the company's proposal to amend the protocol of its D-21 post-approval dosing study in depression patients treated with VNS Therapy. The company makes the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy System for the treatments of refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression. The VNS Therapy System uses a surgically implanted medical device that delivers pulsed electrical signals to the vagus nerve.

• QuadraMed (Reston, Virginia) reported the introduction of its ICD-10 compliant encoder training tool, Quantim Coding Simulator. This knowledge-based encoder training tool is designed to help enable coders and students to gain proficiency in using ICD-10-CM/ICD-10-PCS code sets. Significantly, the training tool includes an embedded "GEMS mapping tool" and other features for easy identification of crosswalks between ICD-10 codes and ICD-9 codes.

• Sequenom (San Diego) reported the launch of the MassARRAY Compact 96 system. The MassARRAY system is a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry-based nucleic acid analysis platform that quantitatively measures genetic target material and its variations in a rapid, accurate, and cost efficient manner. The system facilitates a number of nucleic acid analysis applications including SNP genotyping and allelotyping, CNV analysis, quantitative gene expression analysis, quantitative methylation marker analysis, comparative sequence analysis of haploid organisms, SNP discovery, and oligonucleotide quality control.