• bioMérieux (Marcy L’Etoile, France) has received FDA clearance to market Vidas B R A H M S PCT. The test will be used with critically ill patients on their first day of admission to the ICU as an aid to assess their risk for progression to severe sepsis and septic shock. The Vidas platform is well suited to emergency situations, with Vidas B R A H M S PCT providing test results in 20 minutes. The new test completes the large Vidas emergency panel available in the U.S., which includes markers of cardiac necrosis (Vidas Troponin I, CK-MB) and venous thromboembolism (Vidas D-Dimer Exclusion). BioMerieux specializes in in vitro diagnostics.

• CMS (St. Louis) received FDA clearance for Monaco, its IMRT planning platform. This clearance allows CMS to begin distributing Monaco for clinical use in the U.S. Monaco features biological cost functions with multi-criterial constrained optimization, a powerful leaf sequencer, and a robust Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm. CMS makes radiation treatment planning and workflow management solutions.

• Pioneer Surgical Technology (Marquette, Michigan) reported the U.S. market availability of its Clarity posterior retractor system. This surgeon-inspired system was developed to help meet the challenge of reducing operating room time and improving patient outcomes. The Clarity allows for better visualization during fluoroscopy, an imaging technique commonly used by physicians to obtain real-time images of the internal structures of a patient, by reducing the opacity of the retractor device image. The system is also lightweight yet strong enough to provide adequate muscle retraction for optimal visualization of the surgical site. The system begins with use of a strong and lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone) frame. PEEK allows the retractor to be radiolucent which helps maximize the surgeon’s visualization for precise implant placement. The carbon-fiber reinforcement helps maintain retractor stability. Pioneer makes spinal and orthopedic implants

• Renal Solutions (Warrendale, Pennsylvania) said that it has received FDA clearance for its newly enhanced Allient Sorbent Hemodialysis system in chronic and acute hemodialysis applications. In preparation for the Allient system commercialization, Renal Solutions is also launching its SMARRT (Sorbent Management for Advanced Renal Replacement Therapy) platform and campaign, which will introduce the benefits of advanced sorbent therapy to the renal community. SMARRT therapy enables short, standard or extended duration hemodialysis therapy using just 1.5 gallons (6 liters) of drinking water. The small dialysate quantity made possible by sorbent technology provides an inherent volume safety not possible with conventional hemodialysis technology. Renal Solutions makes sorbent hemodialysis products and services for treatment of patients with renal failure.

• Telemedicus (Houston) reported new plans for a particular configuration of the DREAMS technology that can be installed in remote medical clinics or dislocated fixed facilities and rural emergency care clinics. Telemedicus’ disaster relief and emergency medical services DREAMS technology turns practically any ambulance or medical transportation vehicle into a mobile trauma center. The doctor can see the patient through high definition video and is able to provide treatment immediately via instruction to the medical technician. Telemedicus makes mobile medical communications technology.