• Axis Three (Los Angeles) said its XS-300 surgical simulation platform, a 3-D imaging solution for the cosmetic surgery marketplace, is now available in the U.S. The company said the XS-300 enables surgeons to visually communicate and collaborate on the outcomes of various breast procedures by using the patient's own image presented in photo-realistic 3-D. For the first time ever, accurate volumetric and linear measurements can be taken from the patient's own 3-D model, and the results of an actual surgery breast augmentation, lift, reduction or reconstruction can be simulated, measured and viewed from all angles. Axis Three makes surgical simulation tools for the medical industry.

• BD Diagnostics (San Diego) reported the CE marking of the BD GeneOhm VanR assay for the rapid detection of vanA and vanB genes, which are associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE).The BD GeneOhm VanR assay is a qualitative, in vitro polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for the detection of vancomycin-resistant genes directly from perianal and rectal swabs. This molecular assay is designed to directly test clinical specimens, and allows hospitals and reference laboratories to identify patients colonized with the resistant organisms associated with VRE. The new test will help enable earlier implementation of infection control measures to prevent VRE transmission and infection, leading to decreased length of stay and reduced healthcare costs. BD is focused on improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines.

• Connect Imaging (Honolulu, Hawaii) has released a new version of its Mammo ViewBox software to support a super-high-resolution mammography display from Totoku Electric (Japan). CEO Philip Manly said the company's mammography workstation software is the first to support the ISD technology of the Totoku MS51i2 digital mammography display. "Totoku developed a novel way to triple the resolution of its 5 MP (megapixel) monitor, but taking advantage of the higher resolution required some software changes. . . . Though it works most efficiently when combined with other mammography modules in the Connect Imaging PACS, our Mammo ViewBox workstation software is compatible with any DICOM archive." Connect makes picture archiving and communication systems.

• Luna Innovations (Roanoke, Virginia) said the product development team at its NanoWorks Division has produced a class of molecules designed to provide a new approach to improve the quality of MRI. Luna's molecules have initially proven to be more effective at enhancing images and are potentially safer than current MRI agents, Luna said. It said it plans to use these molecules Luna to build a portfolio of nano-medicines aimed at disease targeting and imaging. The new class of molecules discovered by Luna is called Hydrochalarone Hydro, meaning water, combined with Chalaro, the Greek word for relax. The level of relaxivity is the characteristic of molecules that provides the image enhancement. Luna makes products for healthcare, telecommunications, energy and defense.