• Cambridge Research & Instrumentation (Cri; Woburn, Massachusetts) reported the launch of Maestro 2 optical imaging systems in North America. Maestro 2, the fully automated version of the Maestro small animal imaging system, is the ideal optical imaging system for both core imaging facilities and individual laboratories using fluorescence-based imaging methodologies. Maestro 2 combines the sensitivity and features of the original Maestro in vivo imaging system with advanced animal handling features — an integrated anesthesia system and temperature controlled stage and imaging chamber. The Flex liquid crystal tunable filter (LCTF) provides fast, accurate spectral imaging from 500 to 950 nm, covering the full range of available in vivo fluorophores. The automated system allows instrument setup and calibration for faster, more accurate results within and between experiments. Maestro 2 provides increased sensitivity, automatic removal of autofluorescence for increase spectral contrast, and improved quantification of experimental results. Cri makes optical imaging solutions.

• Masimo (Irvine, California) reported the approval of the Masimo Rad-57 pulse co-oximeter, bringing the world’s first and only technology capable of noninvasively measuring carbon monoxide (CO) levels in the blood to the Japanese market. The Rad-57 is a fast, accurate and noninvasive way to detect elevated levels of CO in the blood, without having to draw blood and wait for costly lab results. When a clinician places the Masimo Rad-57’s sensor on a patient’s finger and presses a button, the device will detect the percentage of CO in the bloodstream in just seconds, allowing for prompt and possibly life-saving treatment. In addition, the Masimo Rad-57 measures SpO₂, pulse rate and perfusion index with Masimo SET technology. Masimo makes pulse co-oximetry and read-through motion and low perfusion pulse oximetry.

• Nextrials (San Ramon, California) said that its Prism clinical trial data management platform will now support remote access via the Apple iPhone. By placing Prism in the pockets of researchers, Nextrials said this enables anytime/anywhere access to ongoing clinical trial data and allows users to view that data in the same graphical formats traditionally generated by Prism for a desktop computer. Nextrials has equipped its customer service staff with iPhones, boosting remote interface capabilities for troubleshooting and help desk support. Nextrials specializes in clinical research software and services.

• St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, Minnesota) reported FDA approval of its Epic stented tissue valve with Linx AC technology. Identical in design to the company’s Biocor valve, the Epic also uses anti-calcification technology designed to protect against tissue mineralization, or hardening. St. Jude says that the Epic features a low valve height, enhancing implantability. In the mitral position, the valve’s low profile reduces the risk of obstructing blood flow into the aorta. In the aortic position, it may provide optimal coronary ostia clearance and reduce the risk of aortic wall protrusion. The new valve will be available in aortic, aortic supra and mitral models. When physicians choose tissue valves for patients, durability is a key consideration. Valve durability is affected by both mechanical stress and tissue calcification. The Epic Valve is designed to address both issues to deliver long-term performance. St. Jude makes cardiac, neurological and chronic pain devices.

• Synergetics USA (O’Fallon, Missouri) said that it will begin producing a lower priced, electrosurgical generator with full feature cut and coagulation modes. The new unit — designed to fill the price range between the small coagulation only unit, COAG, and the up-market Advantage — is named Dual Wave, and is designed to address cost compression in the marketplace and dramatically improve sales profit margins. Even though the unit is lower priced, it will contain the patented Malis waveform. “This unit can be produced at a much lower cost and will offer an alternative to those customers who are not interested in the full featured Advantage. Although this unit will contain the patented Malis waveform for coagulation, it will not have the improved cutting ability of the Advantage and will not accept the hand-switched bipolar pencils,” said Gregg Scheller, president/CEO of Synergetics.