CAR To Re-design Guidlines For Medical Imaging Tests In Canada

The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) has recently cooperated with the Health Council of Canada (HCC) in preparing a report. It was titled “Decisions, Decisions: Family Doctors as Gatekeepers in the Use of Prescription Drugs and Diagnostic Imaging in Canada.” The report aims to support one of the main targets of CAR; which is the designing and deploying medical imaging guidelines, in a nationwide manner, to offer assistance to doctors to select the best medical imaging procedure to request.

Astellas Launches A New Mobile Application For RNI

Astellas Pharma US, Inc. announced that it has launched a new application for smartphones. The application is the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging (RNI). It aims to allow doctors to review the published criteria used to determine a patient’s need to undergo RNI procedure. The recently alunched application can be downloaded for free, and it works on several platforms such as BlackBerry®, Android™, and iPhone®. The data included in the Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for RNI was taken from the ACCF/ASNC/ACR/AHA/ASE/SCCT/SCMR/SNM 2009 Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Cardiac Radionuclide Imaging (RNI), which was published back in 2009.

EU Recommends Using U-Systems' somo*v With Mammography For Breast Cancer Screening

Early detection of cancer is the main goal of any screening program around the world. Regarding breast cancer, both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, even those with dense breasts, currently in Europe have a high potential for early diagnosis, thus offering a great opportunity to start treatment as early as possible. The European Union gave a CE clearance for U-Systems’ somo•v automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) system to be used in conjugation with traditional mammography for breast cancer screening. It is not slated for ABUS system to replace traditional mammography screening, rather, it will be used in conjugation with it increasing early detection of patients, as CEO Ron Ho, in a U-Systems press release illustrated, “We have strong scientific evidence that for women with dense breast tissue, supplementing mammograms with somo•v ABUS can substantially increase breast cancer detection.”

RadNet To Expand Into Medical Imaging Business By Acquiring eRAD

RadNet, Inc, National outpatient imaging center operator based in Los Angeles, has acquired Image Medical Corporation, the parent company of eRAD, Inc., for $10.75 million in cash and promissory notes. This acquisition emphasizes an increasing trend of incorporation in the medical imaging business; earlier this month, Carestream Health announced its integration with Quantum Medical Imaging, in addition Merge Healthcare recently acquired PACS competitor, Amicas. RadNet currently operates 191 outpatient imaging centers in the U.S. eRAD, a PACS and medical informatics company based in Greenville, South Carolina, supports more than 250 hospitals and teleradiology businesses.

Virtual Radiologic Acquires NightHawk

Virtual Radiologic (vRad), a national radiology practice and developer of radiologist workflow technology, has announced that it will acquire its competitor NightHawk Radiology in a $170 million deal. NightHawk Radiology is specialized in providing radiology solutions to radiology groups allover the country. vRad will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of NightHawk Radiology Holdings, Inc. for $6.50 per share in cash, which is double NighHawk's closing stock price of $3.25 per share.

GE Healthcare To Lead U.S. Ultrasound Market In The Next Years

Millennium Research Group (MRG) predicts a robust growth for GE Healthcare during 2014. GE Healthcare was a major leader of the U.S. ultrasound system market in 2009 as well as its strength in the fast-growing emerging ultrasound system, therefore MRG expects further success and progress for the company. The continued growth of GE Healthcare enables it to increase its lead over Philips and Siemens in a market that is projected to be at $1.2 billion in the United States.

The Christie NHS promotes its CT facilities with Siemens’ SOMATOM

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the major oncology centers in Europe, announced that it has recently promoted its CT facilities following the implementation of a SOMATOM® Definition AS from Siemens Healthcare.  The new 64-slice CT system is going to cover various radiotherapy planning needs at the cancer center, which will help in promoting radiotherapy treatment for several types of cancer.
The SOMATOM Definition AS is a highly adaptable system, developed to perform successfully with a wide range of patient types and imaging needs.  The system has several features such as its high spatial resolution, wide bore, and advanced scanning capabilities, staff members at The Christie NHS have been impressed with the CT’s dependable performance and high quality images.  The system is placed next to a 16-slice Siemens SOMATOM® Sensation that is used to carry out general radiology scans.

Agfa’s Healthcare IT Solutions Move Forward In Europe

Agfa Healthcare, a major company providing medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has signed around 150 contracts for deals including its healthcare IT products within the last 8 months, 70 of them are in Europe.  Agfa provides several healthcare IT solutions including hospital information systems (HIS), radiology information systems (RIS), and picturing archiving and communications systems (PACS).

Recommendation For Pediatricians To Reduce Radiation During CT Scans

Computed Tomography (CT) scans has been one of the significantly important medical imaging techniques. The procedure provides highly-detailed images that help doctors in diagnosing a wide range of diseases. However, there are concerns about the safety of CT scans as they include delivering radiation to patients in order to generate the required images. Realizing the risks of radiation exposure, state Health Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines and Dr. Howard A. Freed, director of the department's Center for Environmental Health has recently sent mails to 16,000 pediatricians in New York. The mails included recommendations on how to reduce radiation exposure during CT scans carried out on children.

Salisbury District Hospital Upgrades Its imaging services with Siemens’ Luminos dRF

Salisbury District Hospital, managed by Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust, has recently improved its radiography service following the upgrade to a Luminos dRF™ two-in-one fluoroscopy and radiography digital imaging system, provided by Siemens Healthcare.  The system was chosen due to its design which copes with the increase in bariatric patients and spinal injuries.
Luminos dRF features a new Ysio™ general imaging extension, which offers increased levels of versatility and enables digital imaging with a wireless portable detector, in addition to projection flexibility with the ceiling-suspended tube and a wall stand for performing erect examinations. Luminos dRF is used at Salisbury District Hospital in a wide range of procedures including video-uro-dynamic scans and diaphragmatic screening. The system’s new wireless direct digital detector is capable of delivering fully digital, high-resolution images for revision within seconds to aid in faster, more efficient workflow. Luminos dRF allows staff to carry out more diverse imaging in combination with the ceiling-suspended tube, such as procedures at the wall stand, standing feet or lateral decubitus imaging.  The ceiling-mounted tube also includes a vertical tracking function with the wall stand for fast positioning.

Pixeon plans for further positions in Brazil and South America

Pixeon, a leading Brazilian company providing healthcare IT solutions including Arura PACS, announced that it is going to deploy a new strategy to strengthen its positions in the Brazilian and South American markets. Currently, Pixeon has operations in five regions in Brazil, with a customer base exceeding 150 clients, including hospitals and other healthcare facilities that are using Pixeon’s Arura PACS solution. The company is aiming to enter the international markets, and it is going to involve in a multi-national project that aims to highlight future business opportunities in South America.

CT Can Predict Future Cardiovascular Disease, Study

According to a new study, Computed Tomography (CT) scans can be used for predicting cardiovascular diseases in individuals with high risk. The findings of the study are highlighted online and will be published in the November issue of Radiology. Martijn J. A. Gondrie, M.D., from the Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care at the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands, and the lead author of the study, said "The results of this study show that radiologists can predict cardiovascular disease fairly well using incidental findings of calcifications of the aortic wall on CT, along with minimal patient information, such as age, gender and the reason for the CT. Ultimately, this easily executed extra risk stratification has the potential to reduce future heart attacks or other cardiovascular events."

Radiation Delivered To Children Increases Risks For Cancer, Study

According to a new study, medical imaging procedure taking place in children's cancer treatment can put children at risk due to delivering them high doses of radiation. The study was conducted in a children cancer medical center in Canada, and it involved 150 children suffering from the disease. Researchers reviewed the radiation doses children received from medical imaging systems during their cancer treatment courses.

High Rates Of Anomalies Discovered By Accident In Research Participants

According to a recent study, 40% of individuals participating in medical imaging researches discover by accident that they have anomalies in their internal organs. The study added that 6% of these individuals get to undergo medical intervention in order to treat such anomalies.A team of physicians, radiologists and bioethicists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, evaluated the benefits and burdens of radiologists' findings during research examinations that were carried out during three months in 2004. The team studied medical records of individuals during a three-year time as a follow up.

Siemens Awarded 2010 Techno-College Innovation Award For Its innovation In Cardiac Surgery

Siemens Healthcare has been awarded, for the first time, Techno-College Innovation Award for 2010 from The European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) due to its highly efficient design of the syngo Aortic ValveGuide software. The Techno-College Innovation Award celebrates pioneer technological innovations which considered to be evolutionary advances in cardiac surgery.

Breast Thermography Raises Concerns In New Zealand

A number of health and medical groups in New Zealand expressed their concerns about using thermography as breast cancer screening procedure, after elevation in its use by both women and doctors. Thermography is a medical imaging technique that uses heat distribution on the surface of the body to generate images. The technique has been used as a tool for early diagnosis of breast cancer. However, several medical organizations are question the effectiveness of thermography in detecting the disease, among these organizations are the Cancer Society of New Zealand, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists, the New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation, and the National Screening Unit in the Ministry of Health.

Radisphere Installs Its On-Site Radiology Bridge In Ohio

Radisphere National Radiology Group, a major company providing full-service radiology interpretations, announced that it has recently installed its On-Site Radiology Bridge (ORB™), which is software technology used by on-site radiologists, at Wooster Community Hospital, Wooster, Ohio. The On-Site Radiology Bridge represents a link between on-site staff radiologists and radii™, the custom engineered radiology workflow solution from Radisphere.

PET And Flutemetamol To Detect Alzheimer’s, Study

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the conditions that are very difficult to diagnose early, this is because there is no certain imaging procedure that can be used for detecting the disease. However, a new study shows that this fact may be changed soon. The study included using Positron Emitting Tomography (PET) and a new imaging agent, flutemetamol, which was designed by GE Healthcare, for detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The findings of the study are highlighted in the September issue of the Annals of Neurology.

New Mobile Mammography Units In South Australia

Breast cancer is one of the frequently seen types of cancer developing in women. However, it shows high cure rates provided that it is detected early. Mammography is the technique used to screen women against breast cancer. Recently, the government of South Australia announced that more than 30,000 women, who are staying in remote or rural regions, will be able to have the advantages of free mammography breast cancer screening service, which will be offered following the implementation of  a couple of mobile screening units.

ReCor Announces Successful First-In-Human Trial To Treat Mitral Regurgitation Using Ultrasound

ReCor Medical, ultrasound heart valve therapy company, is proud to announce that it has successfully accomplished the first-in-human procedure using its ultrasound therapy to treat mitral regurgitation (MR).  Full details about the study will be presented today at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific meeting in Washington, D.C.

Doctors Seek For Efficiency By Implementing Ambulatory EHR, Study

A new study has showed that American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) incentives are not the main drive for doctors to use electronic health records (EHRs) but the actual derive is to achieve high quality and efficiency in their work. CapSite, healthcare technology research and advisory company, has launched its 2010 U.S. Ambulatory EHR and Practice Management Study, a strategic analysis of the U.S. electronic health record market in response to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) component of the ARRA.

Medical Radiation Effects Discussed At TCT Meeting

According to a recent presentation, 15% of radiation exposure in the United States takes place during cardiac imaging procedures, especially during coronary CT angiography (CCTA). The presentation was highlighted during the 2010 annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) meeting, which was held recently. Andrew J. Einstein, MD, from Columbia University Medical Center, New York, said "We don't want to overlook the fact that the biggest clinical significance of radiation exposure is the benefits. Ultimately, this exposure to ionizing radiation can improve patient and societal outcomes."

Adverse Cardiac Events Not Expected With Negative CTA Results, Study

According to a new study, patients suffering from chest pain who are showing negative cardiac computed tomography angiogram (CTA) will not develop adverse cardiac events for a year following their discharge from hospitals. Cardiac CTA represents a non-invasive imaging procedure that is used to detect the presence of calcium or fatty deposits in coronary vessels that provide blood to the cardiac muscles. The study took place at the University of  Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA.

FDA’s Panel Recommends Approval Of Hologic’s Selenia 3D Mammography system

Hologic, a major company providing digital mammography systems, announced that the Radiological Devices Panel of the FDA has recommended approval for its Selenia Dimensions 3D digital mammography tomosynthesis system. However, the Panel’s recommendation is not obligatory. The Panel recommended the approval following the evaluation of Selenia 3D system’s safety and effectiveness for early detection of breast cancer.The Co‐Founder and Chief Technical Officer of Hologic, Jay A. Stein, commented “Our Selenia Dimensions 3D technology marks tremendous progress in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The system is designed to increase accuracy when screening women for the presence of cancerous tissue, and to enable a more precise characterization of suspicious lesions. I speak for all of Hologic in voicing great satisfaction that the FDA Panel has weighed in so positively in favor of this valuable new tool in the battle to limit breast cancer mortality”

Northam Psychotechnologies Innovates Subconscious Screening Technology

More than 65 million individuals in North America suffer from some sort of mental illness and approximately1 out of every 5 persons will experience some mental illness during their life, according to The National Mental Health Association report. By 2020, mental illness is expected to be the leading cause of disease burden in North America, an enormous progressive problem that would cost the country hundreds of billions every year. Northam Psychotechnologies, Canadian-based company and a leading provider of integrated IT solutions in the field of psychological health, holds the North American patent pending to futuristic technologies that provide a profoundly powerful solution to this impending problem.

Radiology Technologist Malpractice Payments Are Rare

Radiology technologist malpractice payments are rare, as proved by a new study published in the September issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR). The study, entitled “Stability and Infrequency of Radiologic Technologist Malpractice Payments: An Analysis of the National Practitioner Data Bank” followed a retrospective approach to search for malpractice payment data from the National Practitioner Data Bank starting from1991 up to 2008.

MRI Offers New Option For Surveillance Of Great Vessel Stents

According to a new study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used alone effectively for conducting routine surveillance of some great vessel stents, such as vena cavae and aorta, which are frequently used for treating congenital cardiac defects.  The study took place at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Its results will be highlighted in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the most significant medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

Siemens And Monaco Partners For The First "European Reference Centre Cardiovascular Medicine"

Siemens Healthcare has entered an agreement with the Cardio Thoracic Centre of Monaco (CCM) to develop innovative solutions for diagnosis and treatment of patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases. This agreement makes the Centre as the first Siemens’ European Reference Centre for Cardiovascular Medicine, which will serve as an international training centre for different visitors that demonstrates optimized clinical workflows and multi-modality imaging. The centre and Siemens have worked collaboratively for more than 25 years to develop medical technologies that aid in the diagnosis of patients all over the world.

Carestream Provides Digital Imaging Systems For Rural Radiology Center, Georgia

Carestream has provided high quality diagnostic digital imaging modalities for a rural radiology center in Georgia. Emory Clark-Holder Clinic, LaGrange, Ga., has recently converted from film to digital imaging workflow by using one CARESTREAM DRX-1 and two CARESTREAM Elite CR (Computed Radiography) systems to provide diagnostic imaging services for its wide base population. The clinic includes 28-physician who perform more than 20,000 imaging exams per year.

FDA Warns From Renal Fibrosis Induced By Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared an important warning revealing that gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs), used for radiology imaging, carry a high risk for developing renal fibrosis specially for people with prior kidney disease. This is the second time that FDA highlights the dangers of GBCAs; last year it mandated black label warnings for these hazardous agents. The FDA’s warning has specifically determined Magnevist, Omniscan, and Optimark brands of GBCA as forbidden for use in patients with acute renal problems or chronic severe renal disease. This is due to an FDA risk review of those brands. Furthermore, the FDA pointed out in its press statement that assessing other brands is being performed. Currently, the FDA is revising the black label warning on all brands of GBCA, now it recommends screening patients for kidney impairment before administration. The FDA has also offered new GBCA guidelines for imaging facilities.

Online Consultations Reduce Face-To-Face Appointments At Mayo Clinic By 40 %

A recent huge study of online consultations in primary care has found that online consultations could reduce the need for face-to-face appointments with primary care physicians by approximately 40 %. Clinicians at the Mayo Clinic, the largest private clinic in the world based in Rochester, US, ran a pilot study where patients were able to complete an online structured medical history to be reviewed and assessed later on by a doctor within 24 hours. This project is implemented as a part of Mayo's strategy to promote health IT.

Clatterbridge Oncology Center Installs Kainos' Electronic Document And Records Management System

Clatterbridge Centre for Oncology NHS Foundation Trust has entered an agreement with Kainos to install its electronic document and records management system (EDRMS) together with its Maxims’ web-based electronic patient record (EPR). Within the framework of this agreement, Kainos will provide its innovative product to enhance the use of patient notes across the trust’s sites. Kainos' products, based on Autonomy Records Management, were developed due to the collaborative work with The Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust.

Scotland Integrates Key Information Summary With Its Emergency Palliative Care Summary Record

NHS National Services Scotland has revealed that it will develop a Key Information Summary that will be completely integrated with its Emergency Palliative Care Summary (EPCS) record. Palliative Care Summary was integrated within Emergency Care Summary earlier this year, currently, it serves more than 25% of the population.
Jonathan Cameron, program manager of the National Information Systems Group for NHS NSS, highlighted that the new summary would rely mainly on the success of the EPCS but would also add considerably more information to the record. Cameron said, “The Key Information Summary (KIS) aims to replace paper notes being faxed from GP practices to NHS24, provide support for electronic anticipatory care plans, long term conditions and mental health by utilizing the existing EPCS infrastructure.”

Hospitals Move Towards a Healthcare Revolution

Vienna, Austria: The one word that most aptly defines the future of healthcare is ‘digital’. Hospitals across Europe are undergoing revolutionary transformations in the way they operate, making this the most opportune time for Fleming Gulf to organize its next healthcare conference, “Digital Hospital Europe”.

Mammography Role Questioned In A New Study

According to a new study, mammography scans are offering less than expected reduction of mortalities caused by breast cancer. The study took place in Norway, and its findings are highlighted in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study continues the ongoing international debate questioning the effectiveness of conducting mammography screening programs.

Lantheus’ PET Cardiac Imaging Studies To Be Highlighted At ASNC2010

Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., a global leading company providing medical imaging systems, announced that seven abstracts for studies discussing two of the company’s cardiac Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agents are going to be highlighted at the 15th Annual Scientific Session of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC2010). The event will take place from the 23th to the 26th of September in Philadelphia. The abstracts are discussing the preliminary results of two curently conducted studies.

MRI Offers New Option For Surveillance Of Great Vessel Stents

According to a new study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used alone effectively for conducting routine surveillance of some great vessel stents, such as vena cavae and aorta, which are frequently used for treating congenital cardiac defects.  The study took place at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. Its results will be highlighted in October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. MRI is one of the significantly useful medical imaging techniques, as it offers highly-detailed images in a non-invasive and radiation-free procedure.

Long Shifts Reduce Radiologists’ Diagnostic Accuracy

In a recent study, the effect of long shifts on diagnostic accuracy of radiologists was discussed. The study included measuring several criteria such as reading time, fatigue signs and visual strains among radiologists taking place while reading radiology files showing fractures for one day. The study was titled “Long Radiology Workdays Reduce Detection and Accommodation Accuracy” The findings of study are published in September’s Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR) and appear on the website of ACR.

Toughbook Tablet Computers For E-Prescribing At NHS Foundation Trust

Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust has purchased 100 Panasonic Toughbook tablet computers as part of its plan to deploy e prescribing. The CF-H1 Mobile Clinical Assistant tablets, which are docked on the trust’s existing drugs trolleys, will enable caregivers to review and record information from electronic medical records (EMR) at the patients’ bedside, thus decreasing the time needed to provide patient care. The primary order was set for 111 Toughbook CF-H1 devices. The selection was made after an eight week trial during which nurses observed that the trolley mounted approach helped ensure the mobile device was constantly charged.

Chemoimmunotherapy Can Restrict Metastasis Of Breast Cancer, Study

In a recent study conducted at the René Huguenin Cancer Centre in Saint Cloud, France, clinicians found that chemoimmunotherapy is absolutely useful for patients suffering from metastatic breast carcinoma. The researchers used Immutep S.A.’s lead product, IMP321, and first-line paclitaxel for their clinical trial and demonstrated clinical benefit in 90 % of patient with metastatic breast cancer. It was an open-label, fixed-dose-escalation trial. Other cancer centers contributing in the study were Tenon Hospital and the Georges Pompidou European Hospital in Paris. The immuno-monitoring for patients was the responsibility of Immutep at its laboratories near Paris.

NovaRad Provides NovaPACS In Montana And Philippines

NovaRad, a major provider of PACS and RIS solutions, has entered an agreement with radiology centers in Montana and two hospitals in the Philippines to provide them with NovaPACS. In Montana, Wheatland Memorial Healthcare is a community center that will utilize web-based PACS supplied from NovaRad. This is not the first cooperation with NovaRad; previously, Wheatland used teleradiology services, but now will be able to use contract radiologists with NovaPACS web based system, thus helping to decrease report turnaround time.

Low Infection Rates With Ultrasound-guided Procedures

According to a new study, the occurrence of infection after ultrasound-guided procedures is very low. The study included reviewing several types of these procedures such as fine-needle aspiration and thoracentesis, which involves needle draining of fluids from the thoracic cavity. The study is going to appear in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Ultrasound is one of the major medical imaging techniques that uses sound waves to generate images of the internal organs. The technique is preferred due to its high safety profile, especially for pregnant women and children.

EHR Sales In US during 2009, Doubled

According to a recent report, the sales of Electronic Health Records (EHR) in larger hospitals in the US have increased in 2009 by the double, when comparing these sales to those of 2008. The eighth annual clinical market share report was prepared by KLAS, a leading research firm, along with Epic and Cerner, both are major healthcare IT solutions providers, and collected its data from about 70% of the sales involving larger hospitals. The report noted that the significant increase of EHR sales in 2009 was encouraged by American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

Staggered Radiologist Work Shifts Improve Patient Care, Study

A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology (JACR), entitled “The Impact of an Early-Morning Radiologist Work Shift on the Timeliness of Communicating Urgent Imaging Findings on Portable Chest Radiography”, argues that having staggered radiologist work shifts lead to quicker delivery of results and enhanced patient care. Different styles of work shifts are being used in radiology centers; while many centers are turning to 24/7 teleradiology services to meet their overnight needs, some organizations use staggered shifts to cover nearly round-the-clock care; others depend on the more traditional on-call system to cover urgent findings. This recent study compares the on-call and staggered shifts systems.

Radiology Expert Dr. Groebner Joins New Ulm Medical Center

New Ulm Medical Center (NUMC), New Ulm, Minn. Announced that it has been joined by a new radiologist, Nate Groebner, M.D., how has returned back to his own city following several years of medical studies and residency. Dr. Groebner is going to be the primary radiologists at NUMC.  He has obtained his medical degree from the Medical School at the University of Minnesota. Dr.Groebner later finished an internship at Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin and had a radiology residency for four years at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

Telemedicine And e-Health Offer Improved Healthcare Services in Nigeria

The 4th Nigerian conference on Telemedicine and e-Health took place recently in Gombe. The conference noted that in order to achieve the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG), there is a need to increase the adoption of Telemedicine and e-Health as major solutions for improving healthcare services in the country, especially for rural regions that do not have accessibility or affordability to healthcare services. The conference confirmed that both Telemedicine and e-Health are having the potential to enhance the quality and accessibility to healthcare services in Nigeria.

Alvolution Launches Telehealth Comparison Website

Alvolution, a leading independent organization for the discovery, collaboration and promotion of technological advances in the Assisted Living sector, has launched a telehealth product comparison website to help trusts and local authorities select the best quality and best value telehealth products for their organizations. Alvolution, in collaboration with NHS West Midlands and the Joint Improvement, has developed an independent comparison website that reviews and compares a wide range of the UK telehealth products in one database. The partnership with the strategic health authority indicates that several trusts across the region have been supporting the development of the website and providing user input.

Cardiac Imaging Breakthrough To Visualize Myocardial Scar And Heart Vasculature Simultaneously

A new imaging technique will be available soon for use by cardiologists and surgeons that serves to improve outcomes for patients requiring pacemakers, bypass surgery or angioplasties. The new imaging tool has been developed as the result of the research conducted by Dr. James White and his colleagues at The University of Western Ontario. This technique provides a single, 3D high-resolution image of the heart viewing both its vasculature and the presence of scar tissue within the muscle. This novel imaging was designed using a 3-Tesla MRI at Western's Robarts Research Institute. The findings are published on-line in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Functional MRI To Study Post Natal Depression

According to a new study, functional MRI scans were used to study the brains of women suffering from post natal depression. The study took place at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The findings of the study were highlighted in The American Journal of Psychiatry. Post natal depression is seen frequently between new mothers but with no obvious cause.

Silica Spheres Offers New Option Against Breast Cancer

In a recent study, researchers used a new material, microscopic gas-filled silica spheres, for better detection of the location of breast cancer. The new compound provides a new option for both breast cancer patients and their doctors, as it will offer more accurate detection of cancer tissues and thus reduce the need for performing second surgeries. The study took place at the University of California, San Diego, and is it will be highlighted in the coming issue of the journal MedChemComm.

ASGE And Welch Allyn Partners For EHR Consultation

Healthcare IT solutions have been providing significant help to various medical practices. Among such solutions, Electronic Health Records (EHR), provide full-detailed digital database that include useful information such as the clinical history, medication and performed diagnostic tests. In order to use the recent healthcare IT applications, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) announced that it has recently signed a new partnership agreement with Welch Allyn, a major company providing EHR and other healthcare IT solutions.

Canon Partners With Optopol To Provide Ophthalmic Diagnostic Tools In Europe.

Canon Europe has revealed more details about its partnership with Optopol, since December 2009, to provide ophthalmic diagnostic tools. By this partnership, Canon aims to acquire a top position in the ophthalmic diagnostic equipment market allover the world. The union of the two companies provides a complementary fit in products, technologies and channels.

GE Healthcare And MTL Produce First Russia's Domestically Assembled CT Scanner

GE Healthcare and its Russian manufacturing partner Meditsinskie technologii Ltd (MTL) have announced the first Russia's domestically assembled CT scanner. This accomplishment represents an important forward step in the business future for both GE Healthcare and MTL because it is expected that the annual domestic Russian CT market could exceed 1.5 billion rubles (US$49 million).

Philips Expands In Brazil By Acquiring Wheb Sistemas

Philips Healthcare has incorporated a second Brazilian clinical systems supplier, Wheb Sistemas. Earlier this year in March 2010, Tecso Informatica, Brazil leading radiology information systems (RIS) supplier, has also joined Philips Healthcare as part of the Philips' strategy to expand in different markets allover the world. Philips also took over Israeli PACS supplier CDP Medical Ltd in August. Wheb, established in 1999 and based in Blumenau, has nearly 190 staff members and implemented solutions in more than 230 hospitals. Wheb will become part of Philips Healthcare’s Patient Care and Clinical Informatics business.

TrueBeam Improves Radiotherapy Outcome.

The Stanford Cancer Center, Stanford, Calif. recently announced that it has acquired a new radiotherapy machine, TrueBeam. The system significantly improves the clinical outcome as it reduces the time needed for treatment by up to 50%. TrueBeam features a linear accelerator that decreases the required time for treatment by almost the half when compared to other conventional radiotherapy machines. The system offers highly accurate targeting of cancer cells than other radiotherapy systems. TrueBeam also features 4D imaging technology that produces images in 60% less time when compared with other systems.

InfoGard Becomes An ONC-Authorized Certification Body

InfoGard Laboratories, Inc., a major provider of healthcare IT solutions, has been chosen by The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to be an ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB). The San Luis-based company is offering a new option for Electronic Health Records (EHR) providers, they can have their products evaluated and certified to confirm that they are following the standers proposed earlier this year by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Orange Mobile Telecomms Introduces Mobile Messaging Service In United Kingdom

Orange, French mobile telecomms, has introduced a mobile messaging service, Health Gateway, designed specifically to serve healthcare sector. The Health Gateway service is prepared to allow hospitals, healthcare organizations and pharmacies to use two-way messaging to provide appointment reminders, routine test results, and medication reminders to patients. In addition, it will also enable health institutions to send emergency messages to staff through their mobile systems. The web-based Health Gateway has developed in partnership with UK company, iPlato, whose platform is hosted on the NHS N3 network.

McGill And Pisa Universities Collaborate For Teleanaesthesia

McGill University in Canada and the Department of Anaesthesia of Pisa University in Italy are working collaboratively to innovate remote anaesthesia. Teleanaesthesia is considered to be one of the latest revolutionary advances of healthcare IT. A team from McGill provided remote follow up and treatment for 20 patients undergoing thyroid surgery in Italy, for more than two weeks, with the operations lasting from 45 minutes to three hours. The Montreal team was continuously observing patient care via a live stream by using four cameras. Vital signs monitoring and drug administration were controlled through an internet link.

AHRA Holds Fall Conference For Operational Excellence In Imaging

The AHRA Leadership Institute, in collaboration with Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, will hold the 2010 Fall Conference, Operational Excellence in Imaging, from October 19 to 21 at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel, Savannah, Ga. AHRA Leadership Institute aims to provide its members with highly practical expertise regarding medical imaging.Two programs will be available for participants in the conference; one advanced program (Operational Excellence in the Imaging Environment) and another basic one (Basic Management Skills). After registration, Attendants should select one of these 2 programs to participate in. With an additional fee, attendants are able to take part in a pre-conference Certified Radiology Administrator (CRA) exam workshop on  October 19.

One-day Prostate Radiosurgery Training Course In Sunnyvale

A one-day course organized to provide clinicians with the relevant knowledge about the latest technique of radiosurgery for the prostate cancer treatment is slated to be hold on October 30 in Sunnyvale, California. The course is hosted by the Accuray Training Department in collaboration with Alan Katz, M.D., and Michael Santoro, M.D. This one-day training course for prostate radiosurgery is intended to enable a CyberKnife facility to begin or expand a CyberKnife program for prostate cancer treatment. The course will cover the practical sides of hypo-fractionated prostate radiosurgery, and, at the end of the day, doctors should have gained enough detailed knowledge about this type of treatment to be able to start their own program. The course will also include live demonstrations and treatment planning sessions for the attendants.

USPSTF Questions The Effectiveness Of CTC For Cancer Screening

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) was subject to a widespread criticism earlier this year due to its controversial mammography screening recommendations. Recently, the USPSTF has declared another vague recommendation but this time regarding computed tomographic colonography (CTC), also known as virtual colonoscopy. The CTC Coalition, based in Washington D.C., which is made up of physician providers, colon cancer patient advocates and imaging technology developers, is asking the USPSTF to reconsider its recent “I” statement for CTC.

MRI Detects Bigger Hippocampus Effects In Children

Using data analysis from MRI scans, researchers could find evidence that physically fit children, aged 9-10 years old, tend to have bigger hippocampus volume than their out-of-shape peers. The study was published in the journal Brain Research, and was led by Art Kramer, University of Illinois psychology professor and Beckman Institute director, together with doctoral student Laura Chaddock and kinesiology and community health professor Charles Hillman.

Syngo.via transforms medical images in one click

nce its official launch earlier this year, Siemens Healthcare’s innovative software application for multi-modality clinical image reporting has received 10 orders in the UK.  syngo®.via is a client-server application that does not restrict user access from dedicated workstations and is accessible from any network attached workstation. It has been designed to save time, money and ensure easy access to clinical images.

Neurologic Imaging Advances Impact the Practice of Neurology

New diagnostic imaging technologies that evolved in the field of neuroimaging have tremendously advanced the knowledge of scientists and physicians about numerous aspects in the field of Neurology. Diagnostic imaging techniques like functional magnetic resonance, magnetoencephalography, diffusion tensor imaging, optical imaging, and tractography are actually redefining neurologic disease by helping neurologists gain new insights about the brain and hence affecting their practice.

ACR Awards Breast Imaging Center of Excellence To UCSD

Moores UCSD Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, California, has been recently awarded the status of "Breast Imaging Center of Excellence" by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Haydee Ojeda-Fournier, MD, assistant professor of clinical radiology at Moores UCSD Cancer Center, commented “We are committed to providing care above the standard, and this prestigious certificate recognizes our extraordinary effort. ACR leads the way toward the latest developments in science and patient care. To be a member of this elite group of Breast Imaging Centers of Excellence is quite an honor.”

Brain Imaging For Early Detection Of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Study

According to a new study, brain imaging can help in detecting sleeping abnormalities affecting patients with higher risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and dementia. The findings of the study will appear in the November print issue of The Lancet Neurology. During their study, an international researching team studied individuals with rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (IRBD). The researchers noted that brain imaging procedures can identify brain disorders related to neurodegenerative diseases long before the appearance of the symptoms of such diseases on patients.

Syngo.via transforms medical images in one click

Since its official launch earlier this year, Siemens Healthcare’s innovative software application for multi-modality clinical image reporting has received 10 orders in the UK.  syngo®.via is a client-server application that does not restrict user access from dedicated workstations and is accessible from any network attached workstation. It has been designed to save time, money and ensure easy access to clinical images.

Pitt Community College Starts Health IT Training Program

Pitt Community College will start training classes for health IT practitioners at the end of this month. Pitt Community College is one of the five institutions across the United States that lead a regional consortium of community colleges to promote health IT by providing training for thousands of new health information technology professionals. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the consortium $10.9 million as a federal fund for the first year. Funding for the second year will be available after successful completion of a mid-project evaluation. The funding provides support for the Pitt Community College consortia consisting of 20 community colleges, including Central Piedmont Community College and Catawba Valley Community College across a 13-state region.

Orkney Health And Care Introduces Telehealth Services To Improve Care For Chronic Conditions

The health and social care partnership, Orkney Health and Care in collaboration with Tunstall Healthcare  introduced a new telehealth service using advanced solutions of healthcare IT to improve care delivery for patients with long-term conditions, such as chronic heart disease and chronic lung disease.

GE’s Centricity EMR Donated To The University of Texas

GE Healthcare, A global leading company providing medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has recently donated its Electronic Medical Record (EMR) solution, Centricity, to the University of Texas at Austin (UTA). By providing the solution, GE aims to help the UTA in training its students through the University’s health information technology program. GE’s Centricity is used by UTA in its Health Information Technology Learning Laboratory, and the attending students are awarded certificates following the end of the UTA’s health information technology program. GE aims, by donating Centricity, to increase the knowledge of primary care physicians about healthcare IT applications. Jim Corrigan, vice president and general manager of GE Healthcare IT, said “We never flinch before agreeing to an investment like this. It’s an investment in the future of our industry and in the young minds that will shape it.” GE provided UTA with Centricity Advance, which is an online EMR solution developed for offering practice to primary care physicians. The solution is delivered as a web-based, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application.

Resting-State Functional Brain Connectivity in its Second International Conference

In 1995, a group of researchers at The Medical College of Wisconsin discovered the resting-state functional MRI (r-fMRI), and w ere the first to demonstrate that the brain is an organ that is never at rest, even if the body is not performing any activity. The r-fMRI technique can detect the communication occurring between different brain regions at the "resting-state" of the body. Focusing on this topic, the Second International Conference on Resting-State Functional Brain Connectivity will be held in Milwaukee, Sept, 16-19, 2010, and hosted by The Medical College of Wisconsin.

The Center for Diagnostic Imaging Opens A New Facility In Indiana

Medical imaging has been one of the most significantly important tools providing help to doctors during diagnosis. Diagnostic imaging centers are competing between each other to provide higher levels of service. For instance, the Indiana-based Center for Diagnostic Imaging decided to establish a new facility for its patients at the western section of the city. The Center decided to do so after reviewing the needs of the patients in the city. The Center for Diagnostic Imaging started a new outpatient medical imaging and image-guided procedure center in Avon. Another MRI facility at the center of the city was closed in order to avoid duplicating services. The recently opened imaging facility in Avon has several services imaging systems including a 1.5T open MRI device, digital X-ray systems, in addition to the capability of performing image-guided interventional procedures that provide help during the diagnosis and treatment of joint disorders and back pain.

Functional Brain Imaging Reveals Positive Effects of Natural Tranquil Environments on Human Brain

Functional brain imaging was used to assess the environmental impact on brain functions in a study published in the journal NeuroImage. The study revealed that tranquil living environmental scenes, such as the sea, positively affect the human brain functions, conversely, man-made environments, such as motorways, affect the brain negatively. The research, which was conducted at the University of Sheffield, involved academics from the University's Academic Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Academic Radiology and the School of Architecture, along with the School of Engineering, Design and Technology at the University of Bradford and the Institute of Medicine and Neuroscience at J-lich, Germany.

Houston Medical Center Provides X-ray Images Via Computed Radiography

Houston Medical Center, located in Winchester, has implemented a new x-ray technology called Computed Radiography (CR) to provide conventional X-ray services. CR represents an advanced form of radiology that offers improved imaging services.

ALLPRO Imaging launches ScanX Quantum For Body And Dental Digital Images

ALLPRO Imaging, a leader in digital imaging systems, has launched the ScanX Quantum, a highly compact and versatile system for community health centers that look forward to shift to digitalization. It has a unique ability to capture body images up to 14" wide by any practical length and dental images in sizes 0-4. The ScanX Quantum is designed to be compact and lightweight (only 43 lbs.) and can be also wall-mounted to save space. The system can be used for all human dental and medical radiography applications.

CSC To Provide Its Master Patient Index System In Austria

CSC, a major company offering healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has signed a new contract to provide its master patient index system throughout Austria. CSC’s system is going to permit healthcare professionals to conduct research about electronic patient records across the country. The master patient index system will help them as it is going to allow  access to such records without consideration for their storage location.

Agfa Implements Its Orbis In A major Hospital In Belgium

Agfa Healthcare, a major provider of medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has signed a new contract with Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg Hospital in Belgium to install its Orbis care solution in the three sites of the hospital. Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg represents one of the Eastern Limburg hospital group. It is going to use Agfa’s Orbis, the nursing management system, to organize nursing documentation and plan nursing activities.

Hitachi’s Preirus Ultrasound System Now in US

Hitachi Medical Systems America, a major company providing medical imaging systems, has recently introduced its HI VISION Preirus ultrasound scanner to the medical imaging market in the United States. Preirus have been used in Europe and Japan for more than a year. Hiachi’s Preirus has several features that make it one of the highest quality ultrasound systems, such as its Reddot Award winning design, along with its Ultrasound Boradband Engine (BE) which results in generation of high quality images by seamless coordination of all functions in addition to the data chain from digital beam-forming to signal processing.

Agfa Implements Its Orbis In A major Hospital In Belgium.

Agfa Healthcare, a major provider of medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has signed a new contract with Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg Hospital in Belgium to install its Orbis care solution in the three sites of the hospital. Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg represents one of the Eastern Limburg hospital group. It is going to use Agfa’s Orbis, the nursing management system, to organize nursing documentation and plan nursing activities.

More about Agfa's Orbis.

Agfa’s Orbis is going to be used instead of the current paper-based system; the new solution will be integrated with Agfa’s electronic medical record which includes details about medications, medical imaging results and laboratory tests....

CSC To Provide Its Master Patient Index System In Austria.

CSC, a major company offering healthcare IT solutions, announced that it has signed a new contract to provide its master patient index system throughout Austria. CSC’s system is going to permit healthcare professionals to conduct researches about electronic patient records across the country. The master patient index system will help them as it is going to allow the access to such records without consideration for their storage location....

ALLPRO Imaging launches ScanX Quantum For Body And Dental Digital Images.

ALLPRO Imaging, a leader in digital imaging systems, has launched the ScanX Quantum, a highly compact and versatile system for community health centers that look forward to shift to digitalization. It has a unique ability to capture body images up to 14" wide by any practical length and dental images in sizes 0-4. The ScanX Quantum is designed to be compact and lightweight (only 43 lbs.) and can be also wall-mounted to save space. The system can be used for all human dental and medical radiography applications.
More about ScanX Quantum...

FDA Approves Viking’s Next Generation 3DHD Visualization System.

Viking Systems, Inc., a company providing advanced visualization solutions, announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its new Next Generation 3DHD visualization system. The new solution is planned to be presented to the market at the American College of Surgeons' Annual Clinical Congress which will take place next October in Washington D.C.
Viking President & CEO, Jed Kennedy, said, "We are very pleased to have received timely FDA 510(k) clearance of our Next Gen system for a broad base of minimally invasive procedures including general surgery, urology, gynecology, spinal, bariatric, ENT and thoracic. With the 510(k) in place, we will now focus on completing the documentation required to apply the CE mark to the 3DHD system." The CE mark means that Viking’s Next Generation 3DHD is following the requirements of the Medical Device Directive of the European community. Kennedy added, "Because Viking is ISO13485-certified; we will be able to self-certify the 3DHD for the European community. This keeps us on track to be in the U.S. and European markets in the fourth quarter of 2010 as planned."......

Carestream Purchases Quantum Medical Imaging

Carestream Health, a major company providing medical imaging systems, announced that it has recently purchased Quantum Medical Imaging, LLC, a New York-based company producing high leveled digital and conventional X-ray devices. Following the recent purchase, Carestream ensures its position as a worldwide leader of X-ray systems. The portfolio of imaging systems provided by Quantum Medical Imaging significantly enhances the product line offered by Carestream allowing the company to provide improved products to cover the needs of healthcare facilities such as community hospitals.

FDA Approves Viking’s Next Generation 3DHD Visualization System

Viking Systems, Inc., a company providing advanced visualization solutions, announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its new Next Generation 3DHD visualization system. The new solution is planned to be presented to the market at the American College of Surgeons' Annual Clinical Congress which will take place next October in Washington D.C.

Laurel Bridge releases its Compass v2.1 DICOM Store and Forward Routing application

Laurel Bridge Software released a new version of Compass™, its sophisticated, rules-based DICOM Store and Forward Routing application for DICOM store jobs. Compass was enhanced to include a custom transfer protocol, Throughput Optimization Protocol Service (TOPS), to transmit DICOM images over the internet or wide area network in an efficient, and optionally secure (SSL), fashion.

SOVA.evar offers new option for detection of abdominal aortic aneurysms

A new partnership was recently announced between Aycan, a major company manufacturing PACS solutions and systems integrator for Radiology departments, SOVAmed GmbH a company providing technology spin off from the University of Koblenz-Landau, and the Medical Technical Institute (MTI). The partnership is focusing on the area of medical post processing; it will take place in the form of new joint project, SOVA.evar.

FDA Approves Viking’s Next Generation 3DHD Visualization System.

Viking Systems, Inc., a company providing advanced visualization solutions, announced that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its new Next Generation 3DHD visualization system. The new solution is planned to be presented to the market at the American College of Surgeons' Annual Clinical Congress which will take place next October in Washington D.C.
Viking President & CEO, Jed Kennedy, said "We are very pleased to have received timely FDA 510(k) clearance of our Next Gen system for a broad base of minimally invasive procedures including general surgery, urology, gynecology, spinal, bariatric, ENT and thoracic. With the 510(k) in place, we will now focus on completing the documentation required to apply the CE mark to the 3DHD system." The CE mark means that Viking’s Next Generation 3DHD is following the requirements of the Medical Device Directive of the European community. Kennedy added "Because Viking is ISO13485-certified; we will be able to self-certify the 3DHD for the European community. This keeps us on track to be in the U.S. and European markets in the fourth quarter of 2010 as planned."

Carestream Purchases Quantum Medical Imaging.

Carestream Health, a major company providing medical imaging systems, announced that it has recently purchased Quantum Medical Imaging, LLC, a New York-based company producing high leveled digital and conventional X-ray devices. Following the recent purchase, Carestream ensures its position as a worldwide leader of X-ray systems. The portfolio of imaging systems provided by Quantum Medical Imaging significantly enhances the product line offered by Carestream allowing the company to provide improved products to cover the needs of healthcare facilities such as community hospitals.

Warning Labels Updates on MRI Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents have been proving to carry great risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). This has caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce warning labels updates on three of these agents. The three agents are Magnevist, sold by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals of Wayne, NJ; Omniscan, marketed by GE Healthcare of Chalfont St. Giles, U.K.; and Optimark, sold by Covidien of Dublin, Ireland.
In 2007, FDA has required that a black box warning labels should be carried on all gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents available at that time, indicating that they carry risk of developing NSF for patients using them...

CT colonography has been established as an accurate and reliable method to diagnose colorectal cancer, in addition to being safer and more comfortable for patients than traditional colonscopy. Recently, one more advantage has been recognized as a new study has shown that CT colonography may be able to detect cancerous lesions outside the colon....

Coronary CTA With ASIR Can Reduce Risk Of Radiation Exposure By 27%.

Using the new coronary CTA (CT Angiography) image enhancement technique called adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) can reduce the risk of radiation exposure by 27%, as reported by a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) and entitled “Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction: Assessment of Image Noise and Image Quality in Coronary CT Angiography”.
The study compared more than 500 patients examined with CTA using filtered back projection (FBP) and coronary CTA using ASIR. FBP emitted a radiation dose of 4.1 mSv while ASIR emitted 2.3 mSv only, so there is 27% reduction of radiation dose. The ASIR technique is primarily developed to be an image noise reduction technique.

Lab-on-Chip System For Cheap, Easy And Fast Detection Of Tumor Cells In The Blood.

Detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells in blood is an advanced technique to diagnose cancer metastasis or to follow up cancer patients throughout treatment. Currently, the detection analyses of cancer cells are performed in medical laboratories requiring labor intensive, expensive and time-consuming sample processing and cell isolation steps. A full tumor cell detection analysis can take more than a day. A lab-on-chip, integrating the various processing steps, would enable a faster, easy-to-use, cost-effective detection of tumor cells in blood. Therefore, they are labor-saving and minimally invasive, helping increase the patient's comfort and the effectiveness of today's healthcare.

Houston Medical Center Provides X-ray Images Via Computed Radiography.

Houston Medical Center, located in Winchester, has implemented a new x-ray technology called Computed Radiography (CR) to provide conventional X-ray services. CR represents an advanced form of radiology that offers improved imaging services.

Advantages of Computed Radiography.

CR reader produces digital images meaning that they are completely computerized and stored electronically, thus eliminating the risk to be lost or stolen. In addition to producing high quality images, Computed Radiography also decreases the radiation dose received by patients......

Imaging Techniques Can Monitor Brain Developmental Changes and Maturity

Monitoring of brain changes as it develops from childhood to maturity seems now possible using periodic five-minute brain scans. Scientists claim that it is possible to monitor a child's mental development just like we monitor its weight and height. These findings were the result of a study published in the journal Science, 10 September issue.
Nico Dosenbach, author of the study, and a team of researchers, have examined the functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRIs) brain scans of subjects ranging in age between 7 and 30 years. These fcMRIs measure neuronal connections in the resting brains of subjects. They then used pattern analysis software, a computer program, for determining how neuronal connections change as brain maturity occurs over time. The authors explained in their study that 13,000 measurements of functional brain connections can be revealed using a five-minute scan. The team of researchers used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique which measures brain activity by blood flow changes correlation to different brain regions. MRI scans are considered to be a safe technique, as it does not use radiation....

P4 Digital Healthcare Convention In Inverness, Scotland

Using modern technology to promote healthcare quality and prevent illness is the subject of a national conference that will be held in Inverness next month. Different categories will participate in the conference such as doctors, researchers, technical experts and business people. They will share their experiences at the P4 Digital Healthcare Convention, organized by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), at the city’s Eden Court Theatre. HIE believes the Highlands and Islands has a unique ability to create a new form of healthcare businesses dedicated to develop and use technology to provide both prevention and treatment services for remote areas over large distances. As a largely mountainous region with a widely-distributed mainland population and almost 100 inhabited islands, it is also a location which expected to benefit most from healthcare technology innovation.

Lab-on-Chip System For Cheap, Easy And Fast Detection Of Tumor Cells In The Blood

Detection of circulating and disseminated tumor cells in blood is an advanced technique to diagnose cancer metastasis or to follow up cancer patients throughout treatment. Currently, the detection analyses of cancer cells are performed in medical laboratories requiring labor intensive, expensive and time-consuming sample processing and cell isolation steps. A full tumor cell detection analysis can take more than a day. A lab-on-chip, integrating the various processing steps, would enable a faster, easy-to-use, cost-effective detection of tumor cells in blood. Therefore, they are labor-saving and minimally invasive, helping increase the patient's comfort and the effectiveness of today's healthcare.

Coronary CTA With ASIR Can Reduce Risk Of Radiation Exposure By 27%

Using the new coronary CTA (CT Angiography) image enhancement technique called adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR) can reduce the risk of radiation exposure by 27%, as reported by a new study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR) and entitled “Adaptive Statistical Iterative Reconstruction: Assessment of Image Noise and Image Quality in Coronary CT Angiography”.

Online CT Professional Courses Through Mosby’s Imaging Suite

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) has developed a new online platform for its members to help them gain the knowledge, skills and experience required to become professionals in CT imaging techniques. By collaboration with Elsevier Partners; a publisher of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services, the ASRT will provide a complete series of CT modules through Mosby’s Imaging Suite. The fully integrated, online solution has been designed to be in line the routine communication, workflow, education, and compliance challenges of radiological technologists and managers. Hospitals and other healthcare organizations will be able to license the CT Basics modules through Mosby’s Imaging Suite, providing access to the whole radiology staff members.

Partnership Between Roche Diabetes Care And ICW To Promote Diabetes Management

Roche Diabetes Care, a global leader in diabetes care, and eHealth specialist InterComponentWare (ICW) have announced a global partnership that will last for multiple years to design the next-generation web-based solution for efficient diabetes management. Burkhard G. Piper, President Roche Diabetes Care, said, "We conducted a comprehensive search for a technology partner and we were pleased to select ICW. It is our goal to continuously improve the information exchange between patients and their caregivers. We aim to provide new solutions that can facilitate the exchange of health data that are key for successful therapeutic interventions. Combining our knowledge and expertise, we will be able to leverage web-based technologies and make significant advances in the areas of connectivity between patients and healthcare professionals."

HHS Releases Consumer Focused Website In Spanish

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the development of the first consumer focused website in Spanish to help patients share decision of their healthcare by providing them with new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable healthcare coverage.

Imaging Techniques Can Monitor Brain Developmental Changes and Maturity

Monitoring of brain changes as it develops from childhood to maturity seems now possible using periodic five-minute brain scans. Scientists claim that it is possible to monitor a child's mental development just like we monitor its weight and height. These findings were the result of a study published in the journal Science, 10 September issue.

HHS Releases Consumer Focused Website In Spanish.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the development of the first consumer focused website in Spanish to help patients share decision of their healthcare by providing them with new information and resources that will help them access quality, affordable healthcare coverage.
CuidadodeSalud.gov for Latin citizens.

Consistent with the mandate in the Affordable Care Act, CuidadodeSalud.gov is the partner site of HealthCare.gov, which was released in July 2010, and is the first website in Spanish to provide consumers with both public and private health information designed particularly to meet their needs in a single, easy-to-use tool. "CuidadoDeSalud.gov like HealthCare.gov is an unprecedented website which provides consumers with the power of information at their fingertips. Individuals, families, and small businesses will be able to easily compare both public and private health coverage options tailored specifically for their needs, said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "CuidadoDeSalud.gov will give Latinos across the nation better information about the choices they have, how much they cost, and what they can expect from their doctors specific to their life situation and local community."

Partnership Between Roche Diabetes Care And ICW To Promote Diabetes Management.

Roche Diabetes Care, a global leader in diabetes care, and eHealth specialist InterComponentWare (ICW) have announced a global partnership that will last for multiple years to design the next-generation web-based solution for efficient diabetes management. Burkhard G. Piper, President Roche Diabetes Care, said, "We conducted a comprehensive search for a technology partner and we were pleased to select ICW. It is our goal to continuously improve the information exchange between patients and their caregivers. We aim to provide new solutions that can facilitate the exchange of health data that are key for successful therapeutic interventions. Combining our knowledge and expertise, we will be able to leverage web-based technologies and make significant advances in the areas of connectivity between patients and healthcare professionals."

Using EMR Facilitates Genetic Study Of Vascular Diseases.

Scientific research published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA) argues that studying of genetic variants that play a role of human susceptibility to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), made possible by using electronic medical records (EMRs) or electronic health records (EHRs). A team of authors from the Mayo Clinic Divisions of Cardiovascular Diseases and Biomedical Informatics and Statistics conducted the study and concluded that: "EMR-based data, used across institutions in a structured way offers great potential for diverse research studies, including those related to understanding the genetic bases of common diseases."
Using EHRs to study genetic variants of PAD....

Warning Labels Updates on MRI Gadolinium-Based Contrast Agents

Gadolinium-based MRI contrast agents have been proving to carry great risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF). This has caused the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to announce warning labels updates on three of these agents. The three agents are Magnevist, sold by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals of Wayne, NJ; Omniscan, marketed by GE Healthcare of Chalfont St. Giles, U.K.; and Optimark, sold by Covidien of Dublin, Ireland.

Bridgehead And Dell Provides A New Joint Medical Archive Solution

BridgeHead Software and Dell are providing hospitals with a new option for storing their medical and administrative data: in a centralized repository, within a robust, secured, and intelligent enterprise storage environment. The Medical Archive solution uses a combination between the strength of Dell’s hardware offerings and the pedigree of BridgeHead’s healthcare data management software to design a holistic and fully interoperable enterprise system for hospitals seeking to take control of their digital patient and administrative information.

Lantheus Medical Imaging Declares Supporting FDA's Warning Updates for MRI Contrast Agents

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently announced warning labels updates requirements for three of the currently used MRI gadolinium-based contrast agents, Lantheus Medical Imaging, Inc., has declared its full support for this decision.

Using EMR Facilitates Genetic Study Of Vascular Diseases

Scientific research published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA) argues that studying of genetic variants that play a role of human susceptibility to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), made possible by using electronic medical records (EMRs) or electronic health records (EHRs). A team of authors from the Mayo Clinic Divisions of Cardiovascular Diseases and Biomedical Informatics and Statistics conducted the study and concluded that: "EMR-based data, used across institutions in a structured way offers great potential for diverse research studies, including those related to understanding the genetic bases of common diseases."

CT Colonography Can Detect Cancer Lesions Outside Colon

CT colonography has been established as an accurate and reliable method to diagnose colorectal cancer, in addition to being safer and more comfortable for patients than traditional colonscopy. Recently, one more advantage has been recognized as a new study has shown that CT colonography may be able to detect cancerous lesions outside the colon.