Applied Biosystems Group (Foster City, California), an Applera business, together with its joint venture partner MDS Sciex (Toronto), a division of MDS, reported the launch of two new mass spectrometers, the 3200 Q TRAP and the API 3200 LC/MS/MS Systems with Turbo V Source for added sensitivity, throughput, and cost-effectiveness in mass spectrometry-based workflows. The API 3200 LC/MS/MS System with Turbo V source is a triple quadrupole for quantitation and analyte detection studies. The system provides improved performance, especially at high flow rates, allowing for easy method transfer from LC/UV to LC/MS/MS workflows. Because the Turbo V source family is now compatible with five Applied Biosystems/MDS SCIEX LC/MS/MS systems, method development can be carried out on these new instruments with simple transfer to the higher sensitivity systems. The 3200 Q TRAP System is a hybrid triple quadrupole-linear ion trap for small molecule identification, characterization and quantification and protein biomarker discovery, validation, and quantification. The system provides greater than two-fold sensitivity increase in linear ion trap mode at all flow rates, and up to a 5-fold signal-to-noise increase in traditional triple quadrupole mode over its predecessor, the Q TRAP LC/MS/MS System.

Cyberkinetics Neurotechnology Systems (Foxborough, Massachusetts) reported that it has obtained FDA 510(k) clearances of its NeuroPort Cortical Microelectrode Array and NeuroPort Neural Signal Processor (NSP). The NeuroPort Array and NeuroPort NSP comprise a neural monitoring system designed for acute inpatient applications, and labeled for temporary (less than 30 days) recording and monitoring of brain electrical activity. The NeuroPort System is capable of detecting, transmitting and analyzing neural activity of patients who have undergone craniotomy. The array allows the collection of aggregate or individual neural signals from the cortical region of the brain. The NSP allows these signals to be recorded and analyzed by the physician as a part of the diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions. The company said it is evaluating distribution strategies to support a broad product launch before the end of 2006.

Hypoguard (Minneapolis), a manufacturer of blood glucose monitoring systems, reported that it received clearance from the FDA that will allow people using the Advance Micro-draw blood glucose system to use alternate-site testing when checking their blood glucose level. The company will offer patients the ability to draw a blood sample from their palm, in addition to traditional fingertip tests. The Advance Micro-draw, featuring biosensor technology, requires only a small blood sample, which the company said results in less painful, more comfortable testing, aiding in testing compliance.

Criticare Systems (Milwaukee) reported the introduction of the Veris MRI monitoring system, a joint development effort of Medrad (Indianola, Pennsylvania) and Criticare. Criticare said that Veris is the first MRI monitor with 5-lead ECG waveform monitoring and is compatible with 3T MRI environments. Veris can also be equipped with leading edge gas technology through the integration of the Criticare respiratory analyzer. Criticare said it has begun manufacturing and shipping the Veris MR monitoring system. Medrad is a provider of medical devices and services that enhance imaging procedures. Criticare (www.csiusa.com) designs, manufactures, and markets cost-effective patient monitoring systems and noninvasive sensors for a wide range of hospitals and alternate health care environments throughout the world.

NVE (Eden Prairie, Minnesota), which is focused on the commercialization of spintronics, a nanotechnology that experts believe represents the next generation of microelectronics, said that it has been notified by the U. S. Patent and Trademark Office of the issuance of a key biosensor patent. Patent No. 6,875,621 relates to the detection of magnetizable beads in connection with biological and chemical assays. Detection of magnetizable beads is a key element of proposed "laboratory-on-a-chip" systems. The company said its goal is to provide disposable nanosensor elements for handheld devices that will provide biomedical test results in minutes.

Toshiba America Medical Systems (Tustin, California) said clinical researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC; Boston) reported the completion of the first chest pain evaluation using electrocardiogram-gated (ECG-gated) imaging performed with the Toshiba Aquilion 64. Featuring advanced multi-detector computed tomography (CT) technologies, the Aquilion 64-detector CT uses Toshiba's 64-row Quantum detector, which enables the Aquilion CT scanner to acquire 64 simultaneous slices of 0.5 mm for precise volumetric imaging of any region of the body during a breath-hold under 10 seconds. At BIDMC, a patient with chest pains and significant shortness of breath during exertion was scanned with the recently installed Aquilion 64 to determine if the symptoms were related to a problem with the lungs or the heart. "We are just beginning to realize the full potential of using the Aquilion 64-slice CT, and we fully expect a leap in image quality from the previous 16- and 32-slice CT technology," said Melvin Clouse, MD, professor of radiology and director of research at BIDMC. Clouse recently discussed the results of the latest clinical studies performed with the Aquilion 64 at Snowmass 2005: Imaging with CR and MR meeting in Colorado in February.