• Cytori Therapeutics (San Diego), which is developing cell-based therapeutics utilizing adult stem and regenerative cells derived from adipose tissue, said that adipose stem and regenerative cells, when administered in combination with a fat graft, improved survival of the transplanted tissue in a preclinical study. The study results were presented at the 2006 American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery meeting in Orlando, Florida. In the study, fat tissue transfers were performed in 30 animals, which were divided into three groups of ten that were evaluated at one, three and six months. A supplement of adipose stem and regenerative cells were injected into the grafts of half of the animals in each group. After one and three months, no differences in weight or morphology were observed. After six months, a statistically significant, three-times greater weight retention was observed in the grafts injected with adipose stem and regenerative cells compared to the grafts from the control group.

• Haemonetics (Braintree, Massachusetts), a manufacturer of automated blood processing systems, reported the European launch of the Cymbal system, the company's newest blood collection system. The portable device is used for collecting two units of red blood cells from a single blood donor in one donation. The Cymbal system is half the size of Haemonetics' first generation technology and features increased portability, compact size, battery-operation and ease of use.

• ThermoGenesis (Rancho Cordova, California) said that research data on a new processing disposable that produces thrombin from whole blood in the operating room was presented at last week's 44th international conference of the American Society of Extra-Corporeal Technology in Las Vegas. The data showed that the new procedure enables the preparation of thrombin clotting agent from a patient's own whole blood in the operating room in 30 minutes that achieves rapid clotting of platelet concentrates, plasma and fibrinogen concentrates.

• Varian (Palo Alto, California) said it has extended its offerings for bio-solids applications research by introducing the BioStatic nuclear magnetic resonance probe designed to determine the molecular structures of proteins and other biomolecules in a solid state. The BioStatic probe incorporates ultra-low E-field coil technology to reduce unwanted heating by up to 94% compared to a standard solenoid coil design probe, and enables experiments to be run up to five times faster than competitive offerings, the company said. Separately, Varian reported the release of its new range of ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometer) instruments, the 700-ES series. Core to both the 720-ES and 730-ES series is a patented CCD detector that delivers the ICP-OES platform with superior speed and performance, the company said.