AcroMetrix (Benicia, California) reported the release of the first standardized quality control for molecular Group B Streptococcus (GBS) testing. The OptiQual GBS Positive Control is designed to help clinical laboratories comply with CLIA guidelines for qualitative molecular assays that detect Group B Streptococcus DNA, ensuring accuracy and precision throughout the testing procedure. The OptiQual is unassayed and contains inactivated whole Group B Streptococcus bacteria, providing monitoring the entire molecular testing procedure from extraction through amplification and detection. It is for in vitro diagnostic use.

FLASHbrief (Orlando, Florida) reported that it has expanded the FLASHbrief Version 2.5. It calls this an upgrade to their popular existing Internet communication protocol (which provides emergency officials the ability to send nearly instant, emergency or advisory alerts to every Internet FLASHbrief connected computer anywhere in the world in less than 15 seconds with simultaneous message dissemination through email and if elected , SMS cellular text messaging). The County Health Mass Alert Notification Service or (CHMANS) is a streamlined service which requires only minutes for emergency officials to initially activate their region and less than 30 minutes of phone training to become proficient in its use. Once activated, emergency officials can send health updates in just seconds from any Internet connected computer connection worldwide.

Medtronic (Minneapolis) reported completion of a 12-month follow up in the STOP-AF (Sustained Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation) clinical trial evaluating the first cryoballoon catheter technology designed to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – the Medtronic Arctic Front CryoAblation Catheter System. The Arctic Front system uses cryoablation, or freezing, to ablate heart tissue between the pulmonary veins and the left atrium. The goal of an ablation is to stop the arrhythmia at the source. During cryoablation, a coolant is released into the catheter's balloon causing the balloon to freeze and ablate the heart tissue. Freezing helps the balloon maintain contact with the tissue being ablated.

Spectranetics (Colorado Springs, Colorado) reported the first human procedures using its Turbo-Tandem system. This system is a single-use, disposable device indicated for atherectomy of infrainguinal arteries. It is comprised of two integrated catheters, a 7 French laser guide catheter in combination with a 2.0 mm excimer laser ablation catheter, and is designed to perform atherectomy and ablation of plaque in arterial lesions above the knee, primarily within the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries.

Sunquest Information (Tucson, Arizona) has introduced a new offering for its laboratory and point-of-care solution suite focused on patient safety, efficiency and cost-saving workflow improvements. The company says the new diagnostic IT solution incorporates new modules for molecular testing, expanded functionality for existing applications, and enhancements to workflow throughout the care continuum. Sunquest's new offering introduces new functionality for its collection manager and transfusion manager products that supports the workflow needs of care providers across the enterprise, including general and critical-care nurses, ED staff as well as phlebotomists. Transfusion manager delivers a completely integrated, true closed-loop workflow to ensure patient safety throughout the transfusion process.

Tethys Bioscience (Emeryville, California) reported the publication of two peer-reviewed articles that support the science behind and clinical performance of that tool, the PreDx Diabetes Risk Score (DRS). The DRS is a predictive blood test that provides enhanced diabetes risk assessment through the measurement of biomarkers from multiple biological pathways implicated in the development of diabetes, including cardiovascular disease, inflammation, glucose metabolism, obesity, and cell death. It is designed to help clinicians identify individuals at highest risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within 5 years. The test analyzes routinely collected blood samples from individuals who are considered at risk for diabetes because of the presence of one or more risk factors. These risk factors include elevated glucose levels, obesity, an inactive lifestyle, family history, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and for some women, a previous history of gestational diabetes.