Infotonics Technology Center Inc. and Medi-photonics Development Co. LLC are jointly developing an ingestible "photonic pill" that would enable physicians to detect early stage cancer of the digestive tract. The compact photonic explorer (CPE), a type of "pill camera" for medical applications using optical biopsy technology, is expected to be ready for delivery in 12 to 18 months; estimated R&D costs are $3 to 5 million. The research for the CPE, led by Robert Alfan at City University of New York, is part of a four-year collaboration among Cornell University, State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany, SUNY Binghamton, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the Rochester Institute of Technology, the University of Rochester and Boston University to develop miniature devices that use light to remotely monitor health. Infotonics is a not-for-profit corporation and consortium that operates New York State's Center of Excellence in Photonics and Microsystems; founding participants include Corning Inc., Eastman Kodak Co. and Xerox Corp. Medi-photonics is a subsidiary of imaging technology developer Mediscience Technology Corp., of Cherry Hill, N.J.    . . .    The Infrared Training Center (ITC) has announced upcoming certification training programs, including predictive maintenance thermography, research and development and applications courses in building science, roofing and electrical and mechanical inspection. All ITC certifications meet or exceed American Society for Non-Destructive Testing SNT-TC-1A guidelines. Level I and II courses are recognized by the International Electrical Testing Association, an accredited standards developer for the American National Standards Institute. ITC is the only factory-authorized training organization for Flir, Agema and Inframetrics cameras. For course schedules, visit: www.infraredtraining.com/courses    . . .    Iridex Corp., a Mountain View, Calif., provider of semiconductor-based laser systems for the ophthalmology and dermatology markets, has sued Synergetics USA Inc., alleging that Synergetics' Quick Disconnect laser probes and adapter infringe a patent (5,085,492, "Optical Fiber with Electrical Encoding") for its laser probe technology. Synergetics USA Inc., of O'Fallon, Mo., makes medical devices and products for surgical and other health care applications. it was created after the 2005 merger of Synergetics Inc. and Valley Forge Scientific Corp.