• Avantis Medical Systems (Sunnyvale, California) reported receiving FDA clearance for its Third Eye Retroscope auxiliary endoscopy system. The retroscope is an imaging device used during colonoscopy to provide an additional view that can reveal polyps, cancers and other lesions that might be missed during a standard colonoscopy procedure. The retroscope is passed through the instrument channel of a standard colonoscope until it extends beyond its tip. As it emerges, the device automatically turns around 180 degrees to aim back toward the tip of the colonoscope. Then, as the colonoscope is withdrawn, the Third Eye follows along to provide a continuous retrograde view of the colon. This retrograde view complements the forward view of the colonoscope and may reveal abnormalities that are hidden behind folds and flexures. Avantis Medical Systems makes catheter-based endoscopic devices.

• Cytyc (Marlborough, Massachusetts) reported that five-year follow-up results for the initial clinical trial of the MammoSite radiation therapy system (RTS) were presented at the 8th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS). Qualified patients with early-stage breast cancer were prospectively enrolled and treated using the MammoSite RTS as the sole modality for delivering accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). From May 2000 to October 2001, 43 patients completed APBI with MammoSite RTS and to date, 36 remain in the study. The study also evaluated patient acceptance of the procedure. Survey results showed that 100% of patients said they would recommend MammoSite brachytherapy to a friend or family member and all patients said they would use MammoSite brachytherapy again if they had to do it over. Cytyc makes products targeting women’s health and cancer diagnostics.

• Diamics (Novato, California) reported that it has begun high-volume manufacture of its CerCol cervical sample collector. The initial GMP qualification run passed inspection and met product specifications. Diamics’ representatives in China have moved forward with the CerCol registration. The hospital group has agreed to purchase the CerCol collectors and use them within their own facility as well as sell them to their affiliates to support the country’s focus on improving women’s healthcare. The CerCol is intended for the collection of cervical cytology material and its transfer for Pap analysis. The company said the new device demonstrated greater than 98% sample adequacy in multi-center clinical trials and offered patients greater comfort over conventional collector devices. Diamics is a privately held company developing products for cancer screening and diagnostics.

• Janus Health (San Diego) has premiered JanusOS, the first patent-protected mobile patient management system that provides the tools and services physicians need to bring care directly to the home. The JanusOS solution streamlines and supports all primary housecall practice functions, including: practice management; paperless, wireless patient care management; and mobile diagnostics. JanusOS is tablet PC and laptop-compatible and runs all standard Windows and Office applications. Janus Health makes mobile technologies that enable housecall medical practices.