• Arkray USA (Minneapolis) reported FDA clearance for the Glucocard 01 blood glucose monitoring system. The Glucocard requires no coding, displays results in 7 seconds, and requires a 0.3 microliter sample size. Glucocard 01 is AST approved and has a 360-count test memory with time and date stamp. It also features a large display for better viewing of test results. Arkray specializes in the field of automated analysis.

• EnteroMedics (St. Paul, Minnesota) said a new implantable medical device, developed in collaboration with Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) researchers, shows promise as a reversible and less-extreme alternative to existing bariatric surgeries, according to findings published in the current issue of Surgery. In the company-funded trial, the 31 obese participants who received the vagal nerve blocking device, also called VBLOC vagal blocking therapy, lost an average of nearly 15% of their excess weight. A quarter of the participants lost more than 25%, and three patients lost more than 30%. VBLOC therapy is similar to a heart pacemaker, but instead of stimulating a normal, regular heartbeat, it uses high-frequency electricity to block the nerve impulses between the brain and the stomach and pancreas. A pacemaker continuously monitors the heart and regulates its beating. But the patient flips a switch to activate the VBLOC device when the system is worn during the daytime hours so that the blocking signal can influence how the stomach functions and food is digested following a meal.

• Gambro BCT (Lakewood, Colorado) said that it received FDA clearance for the commercial sale of Atreus Whole Blood Processing system in the U.S. The Atreus device automates the manufacturing process of a unit of whole blood. Replacing balances, centrifuges, expressers, sealers, and scales, the Atreus system reduces variability from the manufacturing process. In the future, the company also will distribute specialized tubing kits, including a single collect bag and a compatible processing kit. The initial offering allows blood centers to leukoreduce the Red Blood Cell unit by gravity filtration after processing. Gambro BCT, soon to be known as CaridianBCT, provides technology, products and services in automated blood collections, therapeutic systems, whole blood processes and pathogen reduction technologies.

• MediConnect Global (Salt Lake City) said it has integrated a FedEx Web integrated solution in its medical record retrieval process, new functionality that will not only allow instant ordering of FedEx pickup or delivery, but also provide continuous FedEx tracking updates directly to clients through MediConnect's RapidRetrieve web-based system for ordering, tracking and receiving patient medical records. MediConnect works with medical providers all over the globe to retrieve medical records for its clients. FedEx' global infrastructure makes it an excellent carrier for MediConnect to provide the fastest medical record retrieval services available.