• Affymetrix(Santa Clara, California), inventor of the world’s first microarray, reported the launch of the new GeneChip Globin-Reduction kits and associated protocol developed in conjunction withPreAnalytiX(Hombrechtikon, Switzerland), a joint venture between Qiagen (Venlo, the Netherlands) and BD (Becton, Dickinson and Co.; Franklin Lakes, New Jersey) formed to develop integrated systems for the collection, stabilization and purification of nucleic acids for molecular diagnostic testing. The new kits optimize the PreAnalytiX PAXgene Blood RNA System for use with Affymetrix GeneChip technology and improve gene expression profile results of cellular RNA extracted from whole blood. The combination of the GeneChip Blood RNA Concentration Kit (featuring the PAXgene Blood RNA System) and the GeneChip Globin-Reduction RNA Controls standardizes all the steps of whole blood RNA processing. Use of the Globin-Reduction Protocol and associated reagent kits enables researchers to detect subtle changes in gene expression by reducing the overwhelming amounts of globin messenger RNA (mRNA) present in whole blood. Counteracting the effects of globin mRNA during target preparation significantly increases assay sensitivity on GeneChip arrays.

• GMP (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) reported that its GMP Surgical Solutions subsidiary received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market its new Laparocision Scope Controller System. GMP said it is currently assessing the best way to commercialize this product, including exploring licensing, sale and/or partnering opportunities. The Laparocision Scope Controller System allows surgeons who are performing laparoscopic surgery to maintain two hands on the laparoscopic instruments while controlling the video scope without an assistant. The company said the system is easy to set up, learn and is compatible with standard trocars.

• St. Jude Medical (St. Paul, Minnesota) reported that it has received FDA approval to activate V-V (ventricle to ventricle) timing in all models of its Epic HF and Atlas+ HF CRT-Ds (cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators). St. Jude said it is the only company with FDA approval for V-V timing in CRT defibrillators. Patients implanted with these devices now have the therapeutic option of V-V timing programmability, which is designed to optimize the benefits of resynchronization pacing. This upgrade is made possible by a programmer software enhancement, and can be enabled during a patient’s regular visit with a clinician. The feature had previously been available only in certain models of the St. Jude Medical Epic HF and Atlas+ HF CRT-Ds. The V-V timing feature allows physicians to adjust the delay between ventricular outputs, as well as choose which chamber is paced first. Patients who do not respond to simultaneous pacing may benefit from the sequential timing offered by V-V programmability.