• ThermoGenesis (Rancho Cordova, California) said that it has received FDA clearance for its AXP AutoXpress platform (AXP), an automated system that isolates and captures stem cells from umbilical cord blood in a closed system. The clearance covers the complete AXP platform, including the AXP hardware device, docking station, disposable bag processing set, overwrap bag and XpressTRAK software that assists with quality assurance and compliance with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) and current good tissue practices (cGTP). The AXP is an automated device and companion sterile closed blood processing disposable used to harvest stem cells from cord blood. ThermoGenesis makes products that harvest, process, store, and administer therapeutic doses of adult stem cells for treatment of disease and injury.

• Draeger Medical (Telford, Pennsylvania) reported the release of the Fabius Tiro M, a deployable field anesthesia machine designed for use in a variety of environments in support of military missions worldwide. Fabius Tiro M is designed to provide a full-feature anesthesia machine in a compact system for military installations in the field where general anesthesia is required. Developed in concert with military field hospital experts, the Fabius Tiro M incorporates an electronically-controlled, piston-driven ventilator equipped with several advanced ventilation modes. The ventilator’s piston technology eliminates the need for a compressed gas source to drive the ventilator, which is an important consideration in field environments. Draegerwerk makes medical and safety technology.

• Hillenbrand Industries (Batesville, Indiana) reported that its Hill-Rom subsidiary has introduced a new hospital bed surface that it believes can enhance care for patients with pressure ulcers. The Hill-Rom E700 Wound Surface (a low air loss therapy surface) also offers new levels of flexibility for use within healthcare facilities. Unlike traditional mattress replacement systems, this surface easily converts to fit multiple bed frames, including Hill-Rom frames and a variety of other frames, the company said. The Hill-Rom E700 Wound Surface features pressureSmart sensing technology senses the patient in real time and automatically adjusts to provide optimal pressure redistribution as the patient sleeps, turns, sits up, and gets in and out of bed. Hillenbrand is organized into two operating companies serving the healthcare and funeral services industries.

• Omnicell (Mountain View, California) reported the introduction of the Omnicell WorkflowRx 5.0 central pharmacy automation solution. The Omnicell allows pharmacy staff to complete automated dispensing, unit-dose packaging and other inventory maintenance tasks simultaneously. The WorkflowRx 5.0 solution interfaces to Omnicell’s barcode packaging system and inventory management carousel system to manage 100% of the central pharmacy inventory and dispensing tasks. Omnicell provides system solutions to acute healthcare facilities for improving patient safety and operational efficiency.

• Starion Instruments (Sunnyvale, California) reported the launch of the TLS3 tissue ligating shears. With the introduction of this new platform, Starion said it is building upon its success in the cardiovascular and otolaryngological markets to provide an essential solution for general surgical, gynecological and urological procedures. The TLS3 features Starion’s tissue welding technology, which focuses thermal energy to simultaneously seal and divide soft tissue. That is designed to reduce thermal spread, which minimizes the risk of inadvertent collateral damage. The TLS3 features enhanced sealing and dissecting capabilities, an ergonomic handle design, longer more tapered jaws, and two-speed finger control for what it claims is “unparalleled performance” in open and minimally invasive surgical procedures. Three lengths, 14 cm, 23 cm and 35 cm, provide improved sealing and dividing of larger vessels frequently encountered in general surgical, gynecological and urological procedures. Starion is a surgical device company.