• Abbott Molecular (Des Plaines, Illinois) and Celera (Rockville, Maryland) reported that Abbott has received FDA approval to market the Abbott RealTime HIV-1 viral load test for use on the company’s m2000 automated instrument system. The assay is designed to detect and precisely measure levels of HIV circulating in a patient’s blood (viral load), including the three major groups of HIV-1 as well as non-B subtypes. It is intended for use as a marker of disease prognosis and an aid in assessing viral response to antiretroviral treatment. The m2000 system consists of two instruments: the Abbott m2000sp and the m2000rt. The system’s computer software links an instrument that automates the extraction, purification and preparation of DNA and RNA from patient samples (m2000sp) with a real-time PCR instrument that amplifies, detects and measures minute levels of infectious agents (m2000rt). Celera is primarily a molecular diagnostics business that is using genomics and proteomics discovery platforms to identify and validate novel diagnostic markers. Celera has an alliance with Abbott for the development and commercialization of molecular, or nucleic acid-based, diagnostic products. Abbott Molecular, a division of Abbott, is specializes in molecular diagnostics.

• The Molecular Profiling Institute (Phoenix) and Specialty Laboratories (Valencia) reported that they are providing the CardioEvaluatR cardiovascular testing program for patients nationwide. The CardioEvaluatR program uses the infrastructure and esoteric testing capabilities of the Molecular Profiling Institute and Specialty Laboratories. The first phase of the CardioEvaluatR program involves the release of three proprietary advanced testing panels that incorporate a novel high-density lipoprotein (HDL) sub-classification technology. HDL subclass analysis is gathering significant momentum in the field of cardiology as an emerging marker in the identification of cardiovascular disease risk and treatment decisions. Molecular Profiling is a CLIA certified specialty reference laboratory that helps patients worldwide by applying the discoveries of the Human Genome Project to personalized medicine. Specialty Laboratories is a provider of clinical tests used by physicians to diagnose, monitor and treat disease and is a single-source solution for esoteric testing needs nationwide.

• Royal Philips Electronics (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) reported commercial release of Philips EP cockpit to support clinicians and staff in the treatment of cardiac rhythm disorders, including complex ablation therapies. This concept in electrophysiology (EP) labs combines Philips Allura Xper interventional lab with a number of other instruments. Philips set about developing an integrated solution which would provide EP specialists with a comfortable and efficient working environment to raise the level of heart rhythm caret. This new solution provides a customizable lab setup including video switching, single keyboard and mouse control concept, and moveable ceiling suspended equipment rack holding EP lab equipment. Additionally, EP cockpit is equipped with an embedded data-management solution that can archive and retrieve patient data from various sources enabling physician access via a single workspace. Royal Philips Electronics specializes in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems.

• Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division (San Diego) reported the 5.0 release of their Acuson Antares ultrasound platform. The 5.0 release offers innovations in five clinical application areas, including breast and OB/GYN imaging. For OB/GYN applications, the Antares 5.0 release offers fourSight technology, a comprehensive suite of acquisition, rendering, and post-processing tools, and syngo Auto OB Measurements, to streamline and improve workflow. Amnioscopic rendering is another key innovation — this unique surface-rendering technique developed by Siemens Corporate Research provides what the company said are stunningly realistic and detailed views of the fetus, enabling greater diagnostic confidence in 3-D and 4-D imaging. The ultrasound division of Siemens specials is women’s health products.

• Stereotaxis (St. Louis) said that it has developed a new single-screen user interface that provides a high level of interventional lab integration. The product, Odyssey, is a proprietary Stereotaxis design that consolidates multiple information sources and screens within an electrophysiology interventional lab into a single visual display. Odyssey consolidates multiple sources of information into a single format, potentially bringing greater simplicity and efficiency to electrophysiology procedures. Stereotaxis makes an advanced cardiology instrument control system for use in a hospital’s interventional surgical suite to enhance the treatment of coronary artery disease and arrhythmias.

• Toshiba America Medical Systems (Tustin, California) reported completing enrollment for 400 patients in its CorE 64 (Coronary Evaluation on 64) study taking place in seven countries, the largest trial ever initiated evaluating the use of 64-slice CT technology, the company said. The trial’s enrollment completion signifies that the study of all patient participants has finished, resulting in the most statistically reliable data available to date. The trial investigates the use of multi-slice CT as the primary diagnostic tool for detecting cardiovascular diseases and disorders, as compared to cardiac catheterization, a costly, invasive technique. Toshiba America Medical Systems makes diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the U.S.