• Axiom Worldwide (Tampa, Florida) reported the introduction of the DRX9000 true non-surgical spinal decompression system — designed to provide a non-invasive option for discogenic low back pain. Axiom also manufactures a digital electroceutical device, the EPS8000, for use in relieving pain and for use in muscular rehabilitation. Axiom makes non-surgical alternatives to spinal surgery.

• Calypte Biomedical (Lake Oswego, Oregon) reported the launch of Calypte Life Sciences. Calypte Life Sciences offers a broad range of recombinant proteins and antigens, as well as proprietary reagents, buffers and other specialty products to researchers and institutions seeking to develop and optimize immunodiagnostic assay systems. Calypte Life Sciences products are being distributed through a new on-line catalog (www.calyptelifesciences.com), as well through Calypte's worldwide network of distributors. Calypte makes HIV diagnostic tests.

• DePuy Spine (Raynham, Massachusetts), a Johnson & Johnson company, reported the worldwide launch of the Confidence Spinal Cement System, a treatment for vertebral compression fractures, a condition that occurs when one or more vertebrae collapse, usually as a result of osteoporosis. The Confidence consists of a proprietary hydraulic-based delivery system that provides precise placement of a specially formulated high viscosity polymethylmethacrylate bone cement directly into vertebral bodies to stabilize fractures and to potentially reduce pain. DePuy Spine treats spinal orders.

• LDR (Austin, Texas) said it has begun to market its ROI-T partial vertebral body replacement device following recent FDA clearance. The ROI-T is a transforaminal approach implant with an anatomic shape that conforms to the anterior vertebral body, the minimal width and tapered end of the device facilitating insertion through a small opening. The open interior cavity allows for substantial graft amounts. The ROI-T is made of PEEK-Optima for biocompatibility and radiolucency along with Tantalum markers for verification of implant positioning. LDR is a spine solutions company.

• A new study indicates that the OtisKnee custom fit knee replacement system, made by OtisMed (Hayward, California), may have a positive impact on length of hospital stay, range of motion, pain level and patient satisfaction immediately following total knee replacement surgery. The study results also indicated that OtisKnee is useful to the surgeon in pre-determining ideal implant size as well as defining proper rotation and positioning during the total knee replacement procedure. OtisMed is an orthopedic technology company.

• The Premier (Charlotte, North Carolina) healthcare alliance reported the release of "significant enhancements" to SupplyFocus, which it called "the industry's supply chain benchmarking tool." SupplyFocus' IDN-, facility- and department-level reports tap into the industry's largest comparative database of operational and supply chain cost information and feature quarterly updates focused on financial and supply cost metrics. In addition, SupplyFocus includes supplier data, allowing for analysis of contract pricing and penetration. Premier is a healthcare purchasing network.

• Veridex (Raritan, New Jersey) said that its licensing collaborator, Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (LabCorp; Burlington, North Carolina), has launched a new gene methylation test for prostate cancer. The new assay uses the biological specificity of "DNA methylation" in prostate cancer, detecting the methylation of the gene GST-Pi. Methylation is a modification of DNA that occurs primarily in cancer. Veridex is making the methylation markers in this tissue assay, GST-Pi, along with other markers, for a urine-based screening test for prostate cancer. Veridex makes cancer diagnostic products.