- Fujifilm Medical Systems USA's (Stamford, Connecticut) reported that its computed radiography for mammography (FCRm) is now available for use in mobile mammography environments. The first two installations of Mobile FCRm systems were in mobile units operated by the Harris County Hospital District in Houston and St. Joseph's Hospital of Atlanta. Mobile FCRm works with existing X-ray equipment, uses standard 110v power, and does not require special environmental control. Fujifilm Medical makes full field digital mammography systems.
- Gen-Probe Incorporated (San Diego) has submitted to the FDA a supplemental regulatory application for the additional use of the Procleix Ultrio assay to screen donated blood for the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The FDA approved the assay to screen donated blood for HIV-1 and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in late 2006. Gen-Probe is seeking approval to use the assay to screen for HBV on both its semi-automated instrument platform and the Tigris system. Gen-Probe Incorporated makes nucleic acid tests that are used primarily to diagnose human diseases and screen donated human blood.
- InfoLogix (Hatboro, Pennsylvania) said that it will launch SurgiChip — a real-time wireless solution designed to address leading causes of surgical identity and procedure mistakes in hospitals, at the 2008 Health Information Management Systems Society annual conference and exhibition next week in Orlando, Florida. SurgiChip is a verification system using RFID technology in an automated, controlled process to identify and document that a surgical team performs the proper procedure on the correct patient at the right surgical site prior to the start of a procedure. SurgiChip provides electronic verification of comprehensive patient, surgical site and procedural data both in pre-op and in the operating room. As part of InfoLogix's mobility software suite for the healthcare industry, SurgiChip offers real time connectivity using existing WLAN infrastructure to bridge the communication gap with all members of the surgical team — a common challenge in operating room environments today. InfoLogix is a technology provider of enterprise mobility solutions for the healthcare and commercial industries.
- Siemens Healthcare (Deerfield, Illinois) said that its Versant 440 molecular system has been FDA-approved for use with the Versant HCV RNA 3.0 assay for management of HCV-infected patients undergoing antiviral therapy. The Versant is a branched DNA (bDNA) system designed for flexible walk-away automation. Its single room technology and consolidated footprint allow the system to fit anywhere in the clinical laboratory. The system features integrating bar code data entry, automated reagent processing, signal amplification detection and a laboratory information system interface for downloading patient work lists and results. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Division says that it offers healthcare professionals "the broadest range of diagnostic products and services ... for diagnosing medical conditions, monitoring patient therapy and providing quality healthcare.
- Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, California) reported a series of educational symposia about its revolutionary RapidArc radiotherapy technology for faster and more precise cancer treatments. These symposia offer clinicians the opportunity to learn more about a technology that makes it possible to deliver image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) two to eight times faster than is possible with conventional IMRT or helical tomotherapy. Varian makes medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy.