Applied Imaging (San Jose, California) said it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its automated application for Chromosome X and Chromosome Y analysis in bone marrow transplant patients. The application will be used in Applied Imaging's Cytovision system to enumerate tests that are indicators for evaluating the viability of opposite-sex bone marrow transplants, a key strategy in the management of a number of leukemias and other blood-based cancers. This new application uses fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technology to identify the chromosomal gender of bone marrow cells within a patient sample. Applied Imaging is a supplier of automated imaging systems used in genetics and pathology laboratories for the detection and analysis of chromosomes in cancer and prenatal disorders.

Given Imaging (Yokneam, Israel) reported that a controlled study using PillCam SB was published in the January issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The goal of the study was to assess the effects of daily NSAID usage on the small intestine using PillCam SB. The study found that severe injury was seen in 33% of NSAID users compared to 0% of the control group. "This study suggests there is a need for monitoring for intestinal damage among those patients using NSAIDS on a regular basis," said President and CEO Gavriel Meron. "This significant patient population needs evidence-based guidance to balance the risks of potential intestinal damage associated with daily use of NSAIDs, with the perceived cardiac risk associated with COX 2 inhibitors. We believe that PillCam SB will have a major role in this process." The PillCam SB video capsule is the only naturally ingested method for direct visualization of the entire small intestine.

Innovative Biosensors (IBI; College Park, Maryland) reported the launch of a rapid and ultra-sensitive test for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 contamination in foods. The E. coli O157:H7 detection system enables meat processors to test for the pathogen in less than five minutes. The system is based on Canary, a biosensor technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT; Cambridge, Massachusetts) and exclusively licensed to IBI. The assay protocol is simple, requiring minimal training and easy-to-use instrumentation. The company said the E. coli O157:H7 detection system is the first in a series of upcoming IBI products for rapid pathogen detection.