• Abbott (Abbott Park, Illinois) reported the availability of the FreeStyle Freedom Lite Blood Glucose Monitoring System with features including: no manual coding, a small sample size requirement (0.3 microliter), and a high-definition monitor. The FreeStyle is available with an instructional video and product brochure in both English and Spanish. Abbott Diabetes Care makes glucose monitoring systems.
• Acclarent (Menlo Park, California) reported that two independent studies, published in American Journal of Rhinology and Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, confirm Balloon Sinuplasty technology safely opens narrow sinuses, and is satisfactory to chronic sinusitis patients. The studies analyze outcomes of individuals treated with this minimally-invasive balloon technology. Acclarent says that balloon Sinuplasty technology is similar in concept to catheters used in the heart for balloon angioplasty, with specially designed devices threaded into the sinus passageways and gently inflated, widening the passages to promote drainage and resolution of chronic sinusitis symptoms. The technology can be used alone or with standard surgical instrumentation. Acclarent focuses on technologies for otolaryngology.
• Allegro Diagnostics (Boston) reported a publication of a "clinico-genomic" model for lung cancer diagnosis in the inaugural edition of Cancer Prevention Research, a new journal from the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). "One of the important findings from this study is that the clinico-genomic model using Allegro's genetic biomarker performed best in those patients who were considered most difficult to diagnose by a physician panel," said Dan Rippy, president/CEO of Allegro. "Also, given the fairly low detection rate of bronchoscopy for stage I lung cancer at 15[%] to 20%, a clinico-genomic model using our gene expression biomarker has the potential to dramatically increase the rate of detection for early-stage disease ... ." Allegro develops molecular diagnostics for lung cancer and other epithelial diseases using proprietary gene expression technology.
• Canon U.S.A. (New York) has introduced the Canon CR-1 Non-Mydriatic Digital Retinal Camera providing what it describes as "high-resolution diagnostic images of the retina," and enabling a 45 view angle to aid in the detection and monitoring of ocular conditions.
• DePuy Spine (Raynham, Massachusetts) reported the launch of the Concorde bullet vertebral body replacement, an implant with a bulleted nose that helps with easy insertion and pyramidal teeth that resist anterior migration during posterior and minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures. The Concorde bullet minimizes insertion forces, which can reduce the risk of damage to vertebral bodies. The device is inserted between collapsed vertebral bodies and restores height. Once inserted, its pyramid-shaped teeth provide resistance to anterior migration. The lordotic option is designed to create 5 degrees of lordosis when placed obliquely across the midline. In addition, the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) in the implant allows for enlarged lateral openings, which are more than three-times larger than those in many PEEK devices.
• Illumina (San Diego) reported the introduction of the iScan System, a scanner that provides researchers conducting genotyping and gene expression studies with significantly greater throughput, enhanced automation, and improved ease of use. When used with the Infinium High-Density (HD) Human1M-Duo and Human610-Quad Genotyping BeadChips, and Illumina's laboratory information management systems and automation options, the iScan System can complete genotyping studies up to six times faster than studies run on Illumina's BeadStation. Illumina makes life-science tools and integrated systems for the large-scale analysis of genetic variation and biological function.
• Polymedco (Courtlandt Manor, New York) reported the introduction of the Pathfast immunoassay analyzer. The Pathfast rapid point of care system uses a chemiluminescent technology combined with a magtration separation method that allows this system to report highly accurate results that compare to large platform instruments. The Pathfast system can handle six samples in batch or random access mode and report these six results in 17 minutes. The system includes a computer, LCD touch screen and printer. Polymedco specializes in diagnostic equipment.