• AFP Imaging (Elmsford, New York) reported a new digital dental product introduction at the opening of the annual Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting, unveiling its new Rotograph Digital Panoramic X-Ray machine and software under the Dent-X brand. The company said the Rotograph Digital is a cost-effective solution for panoramic dental imaging. Digital panoramics are advantageous large-format images of the patient's teeth, jaw, and surrounding bone structure for a more complete analysis and diagnosis, without the use of X-ray film. Dent-X has sold the analog film-based version of the Rotograph Plus for many years. This new digital product introduction further builds upon an established, successful product with a proven track record. AFP Imaging said that, through its Dent-X brand leadership, it has become a key player in dental imaging as it continues to rapidly transition from its traditional business in film-based imaging to a global position in digital dental imaging technologies. Now, with the Rotograph Digital addition to its Strato Digital, the company completes its line of digital panoramic X-ray machines for use by dentists.

• CytoCore (Chicago) reported that it has licensed from University Hospitals of Cleveland a new drug-delivery system (DDS) developed by George Gorodeski, MD, PhD, that will for the first time give the physicians the ability to apply FDA-approved drugs to existing cervical lesions. The DDS is comprised of an applicator handle and drug-delivery modality in the form of a patch that provides a timed-release delivery of the therapeutic agent directly to the surface of the cervix. The handle is a further development of CytoCore's e2 Collector handle, which has been specifically designed to quickly, safely and accurately position and deposit the patch on the cervix. The new DDS will offer the physician a therapeutic treatment option for cervical lesions by allowing for a drug or a combination of FDA-approved drugs to be applied directly and specifically to the cervix. CytoCore said it believes that the nature of the device patent filed will allow for the drug manufacturer to file for a new use patent on the drugs used with the patch. CytoCore's InPath System includes cell collection, identification, localization, and now treatment of cervical dysplasia.

• Genentech (South San Francisco, California) said the FDA accepted its biologics license application for the use of Lucentis (ranibizumab) in the treatment of neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and granted a six-month priority review. The FDA has six months from the submission date, or by the end of June, to take action on the filing. In addition, the company released preliminary two-year data from the Phase III MARINA (Minimally classic/ occult trial of the Anti-VEGF antibody Ranibizumab In the treatment of Neovascular AMD) study showing that the improvement in the Lucentis groups at year one was maintained at year two as measured by visual acuity endpoints, while there was further deterioration of vision among patients in the control group. The difference between mean visual acuity in the Lucentis arms and the control arm increased at year two compared to year one. At least 90% of Lucentis patients maintained or improved vision compared to about 53% of those in the control arm at year two.

• Lansinoh (Alexandria, Virginia), a provider of products and accessories for breastfeeding mothers, reported that its Double Electric Breast Pump is now available. The Lansinoh Double Electric Breast Pump offers a patented system that keeps condensation and breast milk from getting into the tubing and damaging the motor, which increases the life of the pump and simplifies cleaning. The Lansinoh pump also allows the mother to control the suction and speed, mimicking a baby's natural pattern, which can enhance milk flow. The pump is quiet while in use and can be used either as a double pump to save time or as a single pump.