• Innovative Biosensors (Rockville, Maryland) said that it has launched the BioFlash biological aerosol collection, detection and identification system. The BioFlash is rugged, portable, and incorporates a high-volume aerosol sampler. The well-integrated technology provides rapid, specific and sensitive detection of 21 biological threat agents in single test or multi-test formats within minutes. BioFlash can be implemented in various scenarios including military force protection, facility security management, as well as field detection/identification and environmental monitoring. Innovative Biosensors is a privately held company developing technologies for the rapid detection of pathogens in biodefense applications and human clinical diagnostics.

• Texas Instruments (Dallas) reported introduction of a system-on-chip (SoC) microcontroller unit (MCU) that provides a complete signal chain for handheld medical applications. The new MSP430FG4270 MCU integrates a comprehensive range of functions needed to design low-cost, portable medical diagnostic equipment. The on-chip memory and suite of integrated analog peripherals are designed to keep component costs and system space to a minimum in portable applications such as personal blood pressure monitors, spirometers, pulse oximeters and heart rate monitors. Five low-power modes, with a standby power consumption of only 1.1 uA, conserve power, while a wake-up from standby to active mode of less than 6 us provides excellent response when the equipment is needed. On-chip functions that save external components include a high-performance 16-bit sigma-delta analog to digital converter (ADC) with internal reference and five differential analog inputs, 12-bit digital to analog converter (DAC), two configurable operational amplifiers, 16-bit timer, 16-bit registers, 32 I/O pins, zero-power brown-out reset, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) driver with contrast control for up to 56 segments. Texas Instruments makes DSP and analog technologies.

• Renal Solutions (Warrendale, Pennsylvania) reported that a home-use clinical research trial has begun using sorbent technology. The study presents the opportunity for 25 dialysis study participants to evaluate the ability to self-administer extended duration dialysis in the home when using the company’s Allient Sorbent Hemodialysis System. The Allient enables hemodialysis using only 1.5 gallons of drinking water to provide a convenient therapy option requiring no plumbing modifications to a person’s home. It is the only system that uses Sorbent Management for Advanced Renal Replacement Therapy (SMARRT). Renal Solutions said SMARRT therapy is based on more than 35 years of proven dialysis, using a gentle, patient-driven technology that enables flexible treatment options including extended duration dialysis therapy – resulting in greater patient freedom and control. Renal Solutions provides sorbent hemodialysis products and services.

• StatSure Diagnostic Systems (Framingham, Massachusetts) said that the FDA has approved a waiver under the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) for an HIV 1/2 rapid test employing the company’s patented “barrel” technology. The HIV 1/2 product is marketed and distributed worldwide by Inverness Medical Innovations (Waltham, Massachusetts) under its Clearview brand as Clearview Complete HIV 1/2. Specifically, the test has been waived for use in detecting HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies in human whole blood, serum, and plasma and demonstrates a sensitivity of 99.7% and a specificity of 99.9% in clinical trials. StatSure Diagnostic Systems makes rapid immunoassay tests for the detection of sexually transmitted and other infectious diseases.