• BD Diagnostics (San Diego) reported that it has submitted to the FDA, for 510(k) clearance, the first assay for the rapid and simultaneous identification of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from patients with positive blood cultures. The BD GeneOhm StaphSR assay is a test that is performed directly from positive blood cultures. BD specializes in improving drug therapy, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases, and advancing research and discovery of new drugs and vaccines.

• Diagnostic HYBRIDS (Athens, Ohio) reported the release of its D3 IFA enterovirus identification kit for the qualitative identification of enteroviruses in cell culture by immunofluorescence. The kit, for in vitro diagnostic use, utilizes a blend of monoclonal antibodies developed in-house. These antibodies target enterovirus-specific antigens produced after a relatively short incubation period in the company’s enterovirus cell system called Super E-Mix, or conventional cells such as primary monkey kidney cells. Diagnostic HYBRIDS makes diagnostic and analytical products for a wide range of viral respiratory diseases, herpes virus infections, and other specific viral and thyroid diseases.

• Fluidigm (South San Francisco, California) has introduced the BioMark system based on nanofluidic chips, for real-time PCR, known as dynamic arrays, and with advantages compared to 96-well plates, including: 24 times the number of PCR assays per run, reductions in reagent costs, and less liquid-handling complexity to implement large-scale studies. The system also runs BioMark digital arrays, which enable “digital PCR” — a term describing detection of nucleic acid mutations in a high background of similar sequences. Fluidigm makes systems based on the properties of integrated fluidic circuits to control fluids on a nanoliter volume scale.

• NeuroLogica (Danvers, Massachusetts) reported launch of its CereTom OTOscan in-office computed tomography scanner optimized for otolaryngology. The OTOscan provides the images of both bone and soft tissue. The CereTom OTOscan is revolutionizing ear/nose/throat treatment options by enabling the patient scans directly during office visits, avoiding the need to refer patients to an imaging facility to receive ENT diagnostics. The OTOscan is a portable eight-slice CT scanner that acquires 1.25 mm slices per rotation. It is 29 inches long, about five feet tall and four feet wide and weighs about 750 pounds. The system’s battery can be recharged in any standard wall outlet and holds enough power to image four to eight patients. The scanner also includes a mini-PACS system that is ideal for use in the physician’s office. NeuroLogica is a neuroscience-based medical imaging company.