Accuray, Siemens form alliance to expand CyberKnife distribution globally

Accuray, one of the global leaders in the field of radiosurgery has formed a strategic alliance with Siemens. The strategic alliance is expected to extend the global sales reach for Accuray's CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery system while creating a research and development alliance aimed at developing and commercializing innovative new technologies and products. Siemens will receive the right to sell CyberKnife system globally as part of its portfolio of healthcare products in multi-product sales. Accuray will continue to sell and distribute the CyberKnife system directly and through its existing distribution network. The companies will also create a research and development alliance to explore potential synergies between the complementary skill sets and technological capabilities of both companies. Additionally, Siemens will purchase and incorporate elements of Accuray's technology in its linear accelerator products. "Our strategic alliance with Siemens will expand our global footprint in radiation oncology by adding a complementary new sales channel for delivering our technology to a larger patient population while allowing Accuray to continue to focus on our unique and market-leading radiosurgery business," said Euan S. Thomson, President and CEO of Accuray.

BD launches Vacutainer Blood Collection Set

BD Diagnostics, has launched Vacutainer push button blood collection set (PBBCS), with pre attached holder. It offers additional protection from holder-end needle stick injuries and exposure to blood borne pathogens. The ready-to-use product has been designed to help protect healthcare workers from accidental needle stick injuries (NSIs) during the blood collection process and to prevent reuse of the tube holder. As with the original BD Vacutainer PBBCS, the new product's in-vein activation of the safety device provides split-second protection against NSIs. It provides safety, compliance with occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) single-use mandate that prohibits reuse of blood tube holders and shows efficiency as device pre-assembly saves time by consolidating the blood collection process. The BD Vacutainer PBBCS with pre-attached holder joins the BD Vacutainer Eclipse blood collection needle and the BD Vacutainer Safety-Lok blood collection set as a complete array of pre attached blood collection systems.

Siemens Healthcare expands MoodLight portfolio with latest MRI systems

Siemens Healthcare has expanded its range of MoodLight products with the introduction of latest MRI systems, the Magnetom Aera and Magnetom Skyra. LED MoodLights has been introduced as a means of improving the patient experience during what can be an anxiety-provoking examination. The two MRIs join the Mammomat Inspiration full field digital mammography (FFDM) system in the Siemens' MoodLight family. Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla and Magnetom Skyra 3 Tesla systems deliver high image quality and have been designed to optimize clinical and business processes in the current health environment. The illuminated MoodLight panel on each system can be programmed by the operator to emit a rotating range of soothing pastel colors or a single color to match the environment.

ZOLL Medical honored with Supplier Performance Award

ZOLL Medical Corporation is the winner for the fourth consecutive year of the Supplier Performance Award presented by the Premier Healthcare Alliance. ZOLL is one of only 65 out of 800 contracted premier suppliers to receive the performance award. The award was presented at the 2010 Premier Annual Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition in Washington, DC. on June 9, 2010. Winners are recognized for their outstanding management of premier agreements and supplying medical devices that deliver both clinical and financial value to the not-for-profit hospital members of the Premier Alliance. "This award is especially significant in that our key focus is advancing resuscitation care by designing medical equipment that helps clinical staff improve outcomes from sudden cardiac arrest, the leading cause of unexpected death worldwide," said Jonathan A. Rennert, President of ZOLL.

Medtronic launches Protecta portfolio with SmartShock technology

Medtronic has launched the Protecta portfolio of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) and cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators (CRT-Ds). The implantable defibrillators feature Medtronic-exclusive SmartShock technology, comprised of six advanced shock-reduction algorithms that can significantly reduce inappropriate shocks. Findings from the Virtual ICD study statistical model predicted 98 percent of studied patients with SmartShock technology would be free of inappropriate shocks one year after implant and 92 percent at five years post-implant. These data were presented at Cardiostim 2010, the 17th World Congress in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiac Techniques. "Reducing inappropriate shocks is a top priority for physicians, which in turn can help improve the quality of life for implantable defibrillator patients," said Angelo Auricchio, Professor with Cardiocentro Ticino in Lugano, Switzerland.

Biotronik launches ProMRI pacing system portfolio

Biotronik, a manufacturer of implantable cardiac devices and wireless remote monitoring technologies, has launched ProMRI pacing systems, Evia pacemaker series, and Safio pacing leads. The systems provide patients with access to MRI scanning and physicians' options with single and dual chamber pacemaker systems. The ProMRI pacing systems provide European patients the portfolio of bradycardia systems that are compatible with MRI scans under specific conditions. In addition to MRI compatibility, the Evia, a wireless remote monitoring pacemaker series includes innovations like Biotronik's closed loop stimulation (CLS). Evia also includes Vp suppression and IRSplus, which minimize unnecessary ventricular pacing. The Safio active fixation leads are the thinnest MRI-conditional pacing leads currently available in the market. Evia with ProMRI provides advanced patient management with complete integration of the clinically proven Biotronik home monitoring system. Before and after MRI scanning, Biotronik home monitoring allows physicians to remotely monitor their Evia patients' clinical and device status at any time, from anywhere in the world. Biotronik claimed that Biotronik home monitoring is the only remote patient monitoring system in the market that has FDA and CE approvals to safely replace conventional in-office device follow-ups and provide early detection of symptomatic and even asymptomatic clinical events.

Maquet introduces new version of the AV Conference 3.0

With the new version of AV Conference 3.0, Maquet presents a solution for complete, digital OR integration. The central cockpit of OR integration is the AV Conference 3.0 system. It is used to control Maquet equipment, like the Magnus OR table and the PowerLED OR lights. Systems and devices from other manufacturers, like endoscopy equipment, can be integrated without any difficulty. The playback of image data in high definition quality has already become the standard. AV Conference 3.0 enables the recording of images and videos in this format because of the Orchide HD camera integrated in the OR lights. With the new version, the OR integration solution complies with the demands for ergonomics and safety as posed by the individual surgical disciplines. The control options offered by the equipment, allows the system to guarantee the surgeon and his or her team free access to the patient while at the same time ensuring optimum visibility of the events unfolding on the operating table.

SRL's Dubai reference lab accredited by College of American Pathologists

Super Religare Laboratories' Dubai reference laboratory situated at Dubai Health Care City has received an accreditation by the prestigious College of American Pathologists, USA, the highest renowned body that provides accreditation to the diagnostic laboratories. The strict quality protocols adhered to by the Dubai reference laboratory have contributed to SRL joining the very select group of standalone CAP accredited laboratories in the entire Middle East. SRL's other reference laboratories in India (Mumbai and Delhi-NCR) have already achieved their accreditation years ago. With the accreditation of the Dubai laboratory and another one in the offing for the Nepal unit, SRL has become the only laboratory diagnostics chain to get highest accreditations across different Asian geographies.