Results from a clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that ablative therapy using the HALO system, made by Barrx Medical (Sunnyvale, California) is highly effective for complete eradication of a pre-cancerous condition of the esophagus called Barrett's esophagus. Additionally, ablative therapy using the HALO system reduced the risk of progression to cancer in the highest risk cohort studied (compared to control) from 19% to 2.4%.

• Conmed (Utica, New York) reported the full market release of the Zen Wireless Footswitch and adaptor by its Conmed Linvatec arthroscopy unit. The Zen Wireless Footswitch offers wireless operation of Conmed Linvatec powered handpieces and uses a low power communications protocol for a highly reliable two-way communication with unmatched control and responsiveness.

• Exagen Diagnostics (Albuquerque, New Mexico) reported the availability of two new genomic blood tests to assist physicians with diagnosing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The eXaIBStest identifies patients with IBS, while the eXaIBD test identifies patients with IBD. Exagen's tests are RNA-based, and require a single tube of peripheral blood.

• Power Medical Interventions (Langhorne, Pennsylvania) said the FDA has cleared its 510(k) application for marketing its iDrive Intelligent Power Unit, detachable Intelligent Surgical Instruments and iConsole. The iDrive is designed to support a variety of minimally invasive procedures by offering surgeons a range of cutting and stapling configurations combined with flexibility, access and precision. The iDrive is a hand-held, computer-controlled power unit to which any of the company's Intelligent Surgical Instruments can be attached. The iConsole is a wireless device that communicates directly with the iDrive during surgical procedures to output specific auditory and visual reference information via its speaker and liquid crystal display. Outputs provide surgeons with information regarding calibration, firing, and instrument and reload type, allowing surgeons to make real-time, critical decisions that may ultimately lead to an improved patient outcome.

• Seiko Instruments USA's (Torrance, California) Thermal Printer Division has introduced a new series of drop-in, low-voltage thermal printers. The small-footprint DPU-D series panel mount printers streamline integration and cut mechanical design time for engineers developing medical device and test and measurement applications. The reduced footprint of the DPU-D series is a key advancement. The 2" print width DPU-D2 measures 3.15" wide by 2.7" deep and 3.34" high and can easily be slotted into the front panel of a medical device. Operating on a low-voltage (5V-9V) power supply, DPU-D printers support print speeds up to 100 mm per second, for exceptionally fast output. The printers offer USB, Serial, and Parallel interface connectivity, and device drivers for Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista operating systems.

Data from a pre-clinical study to evaluate the silk-based, bioresorbable surgical scaffold made by Serica Technologies (Bedford, Massachusetts) in hernia repair surgery were recently published in the peer-reviewed journal, Hernia. Study results demonstrated that the silk-based scaffold bioresorbed at an ideal rate to support the regeneration of host tissue in a well vascularized area, and could potentially minimize any long-term complications associated with previously available, synthetic polymer mesh implants.

• Targeted Molecular Diagnostics (TMD; Research Triangle Park, North Carolina) reported the availability of two new laboratory tests used to develop more effective cancer treatments. These new tests are now being used in the clinical development of targeted therapies more likely to succeed in treating patients with cancer related to gene mutations.

• Varian Medical Systems (Salt Lake City) has introduced its first digital imager specifically designed for interventional angiography procedures. "With speeds up to 30 frames per second, the PaxScan 3030+ allows the physician to monitor interventional procedures, including the placement of catheters within blood vessels, in real time," said Carl LaCasce, VP of imaging products. "The PaxScan 3030+ provides highly detailed images with excellent contrast and spatial resolution, while delivering a low X-ray dose to the patient." In addition to interventional angiography systems, the new PaxScan 3030+ multi-modality panel is designed for use in cardiovascular imaging systems and surgical C-arms. The panel's compatible interfaces and software simplify integration into existing systems. It is specially designed for equipment incorporating three dimensional cone-beam CT (CBCT) capabilities.