• Biosense Webster (Diamond Bar, California) reported availability of its Cartosound Image Integration module with the new Soundstar 3-D catheter that can be used with the Carto XP Navigation System. The Cartosound module integrates real time intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) images from the Siemens AcusonSequoia and Cypress ultrasound systems using the Soundstar 3-D catheter with the Carto XP EP Navigation System. The ultrasound catheter uses an embedded position sensor to display location and beam orientation on the Carto XP system, Biosense said, which enhances visualization of ICE images and ablation catheter location. According to the company, using the Cartosound module with the Soundstar 3-D catheter in conjunction with the Cartomerge Image Integration module combines the anatomic details of a pre-acquired CT or MRI image with real time ICE. Biosense, a Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, New Jersey) company, is a provider of diagnostic, therapeutic, and mapping tools.

•GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wisconsin) said it now offers improved dose reduction results for both diagnostic cardiac and neuron perfusion CT exams. GE’s SnapShot Pulse technology for prospectively gated diagnostic cardiac CT exams has been proven to reduce a patient’s radiation exposure by up to 83% and improve image quality, according to GE. The company said its VolumeShuttle technology delivers twice the anatomical coverage (80 millimeters) with up to 24% less radiation exposure compared to a conventional 40 millimeter cine perfusion protocol. Both SnapShot and VolumeShuttle are offered on the GE LightSpeed VCT XT configuration, enabled by a real-time scan control architecture intended to ensure precise control of exposure and table position, the company noted. GE also introduced new editions of its Logiq e compact and a new edition of the Logiq Book XP Enhanced compact. According to the company, Logiq Book XP Enhanced is the third major upgrade of the Logiq Book platform. New features include: new LCD technology with higher resolution, improved off-angle viewing for multiple users, increased brightness and clarity. Faster processing on this new system improves boot-up time by 70%, the company noted. Other faster processing improvements include a 30% faster mode transition, such as changing from black-and-white imaging to color Doplar for vascular applications. GE offers a range of products and services designed to enable healthcare providers to better diagnose and treat cancer, heart disease, neurological diseases and other conditions earlier.

•Lifeline Biotechnologies (Reno, Nevada) said it is reviewing companies with products similar to its First Warning System (FWS). Selection of a similar product, or predicate device, that is already FDA cleared, will enable Lifeline to proceed with the preparation and filing of its 510(k). Lifeline’s FWS was designed to assist in the early detection of breast cancer.

•Talyst (Bellevue, Washington) unveiled the latest generation of automation systems for central-pharmacy operations, designed to meet the needs of acute-care hospitals, medical centers and integrated healthcare systems. AutoPharm 3, Talyst’s software platform, links and unifies disparate systems of various manufacturers, all to enable the central pharmacy to achieve enhanced patient safety, improved operating efficiency and precise pharmacy control. Throughout the hospital, medications can be tracked from the point of entry to the automated dispensing unit or patient care area. New features of the AutoPhram 3 include: broader inventory control, chain of custody, mobile computing, and productivity reporting. Talyst provides automated systems to hospitals and other centralized pharmacies.