• Applied Biosystems (Carlsbad, California) said that it will begin shipment of a new, genomic analysis platform, the SOLiD 3 system, starting Feb. 14. This genomics system enables life science researchers to sequence entire genomes of all organisms at a much lower cost, according to the company. It also expands the menu of applications into gene expression and epigenetic analysis, ultimately allowing customers to move one step closer to mainstream use of genomic data for clinical research and personalized medicine. The SOLiD 3 system has generated 40 gigabases of data per sequencing run in Applied Biosystems' research and development laboratories, with an accuracy of 99.94% due to 2-base encoding algorithms. The SOLiD is used around the world in research laboratories, genome centers, core and contract service facilities, as well as biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

• Bluegiga (Espoo, Finland) said that its OEM Bluetooth modules are now available with Bluetooth Health Device Profile (HDP). The HDP is integrated into Bluegiga's iWRAP firmware, running inside the Bluegiga module. "Bluegiga's Health Device Bluetooth profile with Bluegiga OEM module helps device manufacturer to develop wireless features into existing or new devices with very limited amount of engineering. Bluegiga modules are completely supported by Bluegiga meaning that for the OEMs, Bluegiga is a single point of contact for any kind of development or support," said Mikko Savolainen, product director at Bluegiga.

• Diagnosoft (Morrisville, North Carolina) reported its newest software solution, Diagnosoft SENC. Strain-encoding, or SENC, is a new MRI analysis technique that will help physicians measure regional contraction, or relaxation, of the heart's myocardium. Diagnosoft SENC enables quantification of data to improve diagnosis and guide monitoring and treatment of coronary artery disease. Nael Osman, co-founder of Diagnosoft, said, "Diagnosoft SENC provides an objective way to assess regional variations in muscle contraction due to ischemia, myocardial infarction, or other causes. Moreover, Diagnosoft SENC produces maps of regional function with high spatial resolution at a level of quality sufficient even for the thin wall of the right ventricle. As a result, the technique can reveal small regional anomalies in contractility within the wall."

• Evalve (Menlo Park, California) reported the start of enrollment in the REALISM (Real World ExpAnded MuLtIcenter Study of the MitraClip System) study, a continued access registry. The MitraClip system is currently being evaluated in the U.S. as a non-surgical treatment option for patients suffering from the effects of mitral regurgitation (MR). Percutaneous mitral repair with Evalve's MitraClip system is performed by physicians in the catheterization laboratory. The heart beats normally during the procedure, and therefore does not require a heart-lung bypass machine. In addition to improving blood flow through the heart, the procedure may also relieve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath that often affect patients with significant MR. After treatment, patients generally recover quickly. The MitraClip therapy may improve quality of life and may help MR patients avoid or delay surgery, having preserved surgical options (valve repair or replacement) should surgery become necessary.