• Pathwork Diagnostics (Sunnyvale, California) said it has launched an additional version of the Pathwork Tissue of Origin Test that has the capability of analyzing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens. This molecular diagnostic test, which aids in the diagnosis of tumors with uncertain origins, is now available as a service through the CLIA-certified Pathwork Diagnostics Laboratory. To determine the tumor's origin, the Pathwork Tissue of Origin Test uses microarray technology to measure the expression pattern, comprising more than 1,500 genes, in a tumor with an uncertain origin and compares it to expression patterns of a panel of 15 known tumor types, representing 90% of all solid tumors and 58 morphologies overall.

• Promega (Madison, Wisconsin) reported the introduction of two new Maxwell 16 Nucleic Acid Purification systems. Promega says the new Maxwell 16 systems give clinical and research laboratories a more comprehensive offering of fully automated DNA purification tools and bring ease of use to some of the most difficult sample types. Designed to help laboratories performing tests in molecular toxicology, prenatal genetic testing, genetic screening and genotyping, the new Maxwell 16 Cell LEV DNA purification kit automatically extracts genomic DNA from sample types with low cell numbers such as amniotic fluid, cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and cell culture supernatants. Purified genomic DNA is easily obtained with samples containing fewer than 10,000 cells in 30 minutes or less. The new Maxwell 16 DNA Purification kits contain the same trusted reagents used in the Maxwell 16 System in a convenient prepackaged format. With the addition of these new kits, the Maxwell 16 System continues to provide the best combination of speed, purity, and yield available for nucleic acid purification.

James Schlueter reported the launch of SMART-UR (Los Angeles). UR (utilization review) is a tool to reduce unnecessary medical utilization, a key driver in rising medical costs. However, according to Schlueter, who is the CEO of the new company, "the current application of UR makes it a very blunt instrument that is expensive, inefficient and over-utilized." SMART-UR is a web technology that corrects the administrative burdens in the current UR process. The company said the SMART-UR system can immediately identify and approve requests that fall within guidelines while it sends the questionable ones on for more detailed review.

• Zoll Medical (Chelmsford, Massachusetts) said the Zoll LifeVest wearable defibrillator is now covered by the three largest state Medicaid programs in the country – California, New York and Texas – which combined represent a total of more than 13 million covered lives. The LifeVest is worn by patients at risk for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) while plans are made to manage their long-term arrhythmic risk, including the decision to implant a cardioverter defibrillator. The LifeVest has a 98% first shock success rate for treating patients with SCA. In addition, no bystander intervention is required. The non-invasive technology continuously monitors the patient's heart and, if a life-threatening heart rhythm is detected, the device alerts the patient prior to delivering a shock. The device releases a conductive gel onto the therapy electrodes to protect the skin, and then delivers a shock to restore normal heart rhythm. The entire event, from detecting a life-threatening arrhythmia to automatically delivering a defibrillation shock, usually occurs in less than a minute.