• Aethon (Pittsburgh) said that it has significantly enhanced the navigation system of its TUG robotics platform with the addition of laser-based technology. The new laser-driven navigation system will enable hospitals to deploy TUGs in less time and benefit from speedier deliveries, more flexible routes and requires less technical support. The TUG is an autonomous mobile robotic system that automates the delivery and tracking of materials in hospitals such as medications, dietary trays, linens, blood samples, medical records, or IV pumps. It helps hospitals streamline supply chain operations so that nurses and clinical staff avoid making supply runs and remain focused on patient care. Aethon makes autonomous mobile robots for healthcare supply chain management.

• Maximus (Ontaio, California), a business unit of infusion therapy firm Medegen, introduced its MaxPlus clear positive displacement connector for use in patient care. MaxPlus provides complete visualization of the fluid path providing a visual reminder to completely perform clinical practices such as priming, disinfection, and flushing. This clarity enhances clinical practice which can ultimately reduce the occurrence of bloodstream infections and occlusions in patients receiving infusion therapy. The MaxPlus Clear is an enhancement of the MaxPlus, the company’s leading positive displacement connector, adding a clear housing. It features Medegen’s positive displacement technology, which provides a bolus of fluid to clear the catheter tip upon disconnection from the device. It also features Medegen’s patented Tru-Swab top which acts as a double sealed barrier to contamination and allows for true disinfection during pre-access swabbing. Medegen specializes in infusion therapy, focused on helping hospitals drive greater clinical performance for improved patient care.

• Neoteric Technology (Vancouver, British Columbia) said that a new study released in this month’s American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) Journal of Transfusion proves that dramatic time and cost savings can be achieved by hospitals that implement BloodTrack OnDemand. The study describes remote allocation, a new way of providing blood to patients. This process allows unallocated (non-crossmatched) blood to be stored in automated “smart” refrigerators in patient care areas such as the OR. When a blood unit is required, it can be electronically assigned by the refrigerator and labelled for a specific patient without involving the blood bank. Blood bank staff benefit from decreased workload through fewer blood requests, fewer returned units, increased inventory visibility, and increased job satisfaction by distributing the workload throughout the day. Clinical staff benefit from quicker access to blood at the point of care, reduced manual paperwork, increased confidence in giving the correct blood, and reduced time spent managing the overall blood delivery process.

• Phoenix Controls (Acton, Massachusetts) reported the introduction of a new family of precision airflow control products designed specifically for the HVAC needs of healthcare facilities. Branded the Theris family of valves, this product line includes features that conserve energy, reduce maintenance, and increase infection control. Theris valves control air volume and directional airflow in the critical spaces of healthcare facilities, such as isolation rooms, operating rooms, in-hospital pharmacies, and patient rooms designed for pandemic events.

• Vermillion (Fremont, California) presented data from several studies demonstrating the benefits of the company’s ovarian cancer protein biomarker panel. The data suggest that use of Vermillion’s biomarkers could help better identify women with ovarian cancer, as well as improve the detection of early-stage disease. A clinical study examining Vermillion’s marker panel for ovarian cancer provided independent validation that it can distinguish malignant tumors from benign pelvic masses. Results of the study demonstrated that the biomarker panel could more than double the number of ovarian cancer cases referred to a gynecologic oncologist, thereby improving survival rates and reducing the number of surgeries performed. Vermillion is a molecular diagnostics company.