3D Systems (Rock Hill, South Carolina) said that 3M has selected 3D Systems’ Viper Pro SLA technology for the digital production of dental models. This platform will integrate with the soon-to-be-released 3M ESPE Lava Chairside Oral Scanner (COS). Under an engineering development agreement, 3D is co-developing a rapid manufacturing methodology for the production of accurate, durable models of individual teeth and arches with crisp resolution that combines the 3M ESPE Chairside oral scanning technology with the Viper Pro SLA system and a new Accura SL material. 3D makes 3D modeling, rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing solutions.

Aloka (Wallingford, Connecticut) reported the introduction of two ultrasound systems with dedicated platforms for advanced cardiac and vascular imaging, the Alpha 10 and Alpha 7. The Alpha 10 incorporates all of the standard cardiovascular features such as stress echo, TDI/strain, TEE transducers, full reporting capabilities, and DICOM networking. The Alpha 7 provides image quality for mid-level and office based imaging. It offers a suite of cardiovascular capabilities in a compact chassis for those facilities where space is at a premium. Aloka specializes in ultrasound equipment.

Medrad (Warrendale, Pennsylvania) reported the availability of the 3.0T Prostate eCoil MR endorectal coil compatible with magnetic resonance (MR) scanners made by Philips and Siemens. Medrad introduced the 3.0T prostate eCoil for GE scanners in 2006. The eCoil conforms to the size and shape of the prostate for consistent contact between the gland and the signal-amplifying elements of the coil. The result is small field-of-view and high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and specificity that yield clearer pictures of the prostate. These pictures provide information needed by clinicians to diagnose and stage cancer, and also to plan and deliver targeted treatment, such as radiation therapy. Medrad makes imaging products.

* Pathway Diagnostics (Malibu, California) reports the availability of SensiTrop, its molecular heteroduplex tracking assay (HTA) for determining the co-receptor tropism status of HIV infected patients. Pathway performs the SensiTrop assay in its CLIA-approved laboratory on samples received from Mayo Medical Laboratories and other soon-to-be named national laboratories. SensiTrop is a molecular based assay designed and demonstrated to be sensitive in detecting CXCR4-tropic HIV in patient samples that contain as little as 1% CXCR4. The assay is a molecular hybridization technique based on heteroduplex tracking technology. Heteroduplex tracking technology interrogates the complete HIV V3 loop, detecting sequence differences that determine whether the patient’s HIV utilizes either the CXCR4 or CCR5 co-receptor. Pathway specializes in biomarker assays.