GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wisconsin) reported at the Arab Health Exhibition and Congress in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, that the company's 0.2T Signa Profile system, an open scanner, now is available with its Excite platform of advanced MRI technology. The company said the Excite platform for the 0.2T Profile System will allow physicians to see more of the human anatomy and function better and faster than ever before, allowing them greater clinical confidence.

Maxell Corp. of America (Fair Lawn, New Jersey) reported new ultra-durable and ultra-reliable DVD media designed specifically for the medical market. Maxell's medical-grade media incorporates the Maxpro Hardcoat technology to produce enhanced DVD-R media that delivers the highest level of data protection for up to twice the archival shelf life. Maxell Medical DVD-R is HIPAA- and DICOM-compliant, and with its superior scratch, dust and smudge resistance and extended archival life, is ideal for critical medical images, patient records, backup and fixed content storage. Maxell Medical DVD-R's hard-coat top layer delivers increased data longevity and protection for twice the archival and storage lifespan. Maxell Medical DVD-R will have a capacity of 700 MB and will be able to store up to 700 X-rays or 550 high-resolution images. Maxell's 700 MB, 8X speed Medical DVD-R media will be available in March as a single disc in a jewel case and in 50-pack spindles with printable white surfaces for either thermal or inkjet printers.

NanoHorizons (State College, Pennsylvania), a developer of applied nanoscale materials and solutions, said it has been awarded a patent covering its deposited thin-film system for high-throughput, small-molecule mass spectrometry. QuickMass-enhanced targets enable MALDI mass spectrometers to be used for accurate and convenient small-molecule analysis using matrix-less and thin-layer matrix test techniques. Dr. Stephen Fonash, founder of NanoHorizons, said, "Tens of millions of compounds are analyzed annually QuickMass-enhanced targets can rapidly impact a research lab or pharmaceutical company's bottom line and time to market."

Neoprobe (Dublin, Ohio), a developer of oncology and cardiovascular surgical and diagnostic products, said it has received notification that its 510(k) application for the revised and enhanced Quantix/OR blood flow measurement has been accepted by FDA. In addition, Neoprobe said it has completed the necessary regulatory steps to begin marketing the product in the European Union. The company reintroduced the Quantix/OR at a joint meeting of the German, Austrian and Swiss cardiovascular surgical society meeting in Hamburg, Germany, last weekend. The Quantix/OR has been revised to enhance visual ergonomics and to facilitate surgeon use. The flexible probe configuration will permit surgeons to access vessels for measurement during both on- and off-pump by-pass procedures. The company said it is planning full product re-introduction at the American Association for Thoracic Sur-gery meeting in April.

Welch Allyn (Skaneateles Falls, New York) reported the availability of the Braun ThermoScan PRO 4000, which it said is the only electronic ear thermometer with a preheated probe and sensor for reliable temperature readings on patients of all ages. Its ExacTemp technology provides an active user feedback system to ensure proper positioning and improved accuracy in calculating temperatures. One of the fastest thermometers for infant to adult patients, the company said the Braun ThermoScan PRO 4000 is an affordable electronic vital signs device that can withstand constant use in a medical practice or hospital setting. The lightweight unit features a prominent memory button to recall the last temperature reading from a patient. There is a storage space for 20 probe covers with an optional base station that holds an additional sleeve of 200 probe covers. It also features electronic security enhancements that discourage theft in hospital environments.