Noteworthy news from medtech start-ups. This month we profile Ibris, which is developing prognostics to identify breast cancer patients in need of chemotherapy, and Delphinus Medical Technologies, whose platform enables 3-D full breast ultrasound.

Delphinus Medical Technologies Inc. is applying underwater sound wave technology to more accurately and safely detect breast cancer. The Michigan-based company, a spin-out of the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, has developed a full-breast ultrasound tomography system that quickly and effectively differentiates benign from malignant breast masses without compression or radiation exposure.

At the 2007 annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in November, the sparkle of new innovations was tarnished somewhat by questions about the rapid proliferation of advanced imaging technologies and their cost effectiveness. As a result both new and old technologies are facing an uphill battle to prove their worth in a heavily scrutinized economic environment.

Summary of recent device mergers and acquisitions, alliances, and financings.