DHS, FDA Increase Cooperation on Cyber Security in Medical Devices
The Department of Homeland Security and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have signed a memorandum of agreement to implement a new framework for greater cooperation for addressing cyber security in medical devices. “As innovation in medical devices advances and more devices are connected to hospital networks or to other devices, ensuring that devices are adequately protected against cyber intrusions is paramount to protecting patients,” says FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb. He says the agreement with DHS will lead to improved information sharing and collaboration to “stay a step ahead of constantly evolving medical device cyber security vulnerabilities and assist the healthcare sector in being well positioned to proactively respond when cyber vulnerabilities are identified.” Christopher Krebs, under secretary for the DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate, says DHS has experts in control systems technology that can be leveraged to help the FDA with medical device cyber security.
908 Devices Adds Fentanyl Classifier to MX908 Detector
908 Devices says it has added a predictive fentanyl classifier to its MX908 multi-mission trace chemical detection device, giving it the ability to detect the more than 2,000 variants of the dangerous designer drugs. The company says that fielded MX908s can be upgraded with the new classifier through a two-minute software update. The Special Investigations & Narcotics Units at the Quincy, Mass., Police Department have been using the upgraded MX908 for the past few months and “it has already proven to be a tremendous asset in the field for maintaining officer safety while being able to detect trace elements of multiple drugs in as short as 20 to 30 seconds, says Patrick Glynn, Lt. Det., Commander.
Smiths Detection’s CT Checkpoint Scanner Receives European Regulatory Approval
The European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) has approved Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 6940 CTiX computed tomography (CT)-based scanning system as meeting the C3 standard for explosives detection of cabin baggage. Meeting the standard means that travelers don’t need to remove electronic devices and liquids from their carry-on bags prior to entering an airport security checkpoint. “With field trials for the HI-SCAN 6040 CTiX well underway, the true value of CT is likely to be established fairly quickly,” says Matt Clark, vice president of Technology & Product Development at Smiths Detection. “We are already looking at further developments such as the automatic detection of other dangerous or prohibited items such as guns and large knives.” The 6040 CTiX has also been certified by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration for meeting the AT-2 standard.