Friday, May 30, 2008

New ultrasound company offers ‘real time’ 4D foetal imaging

Innervision, the west’s 4D ultrasound specialist clinic, offers expectant parents the opportunity to see their baby. State of the art 4D ultrasound technology provides live recording of the baby from within the womb. The 3D images are captured in real time to produce 4D footage which can be recorded onto a DVD.

An ultrasound scan obtains pictures from inside the body using sound waves. The high frequency sound is transmitted through the skin and reflected by the body. These 'echoes' form a picture on the screen, and no special preparation is necessary for the examination. In obstetrics, the ultrasound is an essential imaging tool used to clearly visualise the foetus in the womb.

source: Galway Advertiser

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

SonoSite Responds to Second GE Lawsuit in Wisconsin

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound at the point-of-care, said today that the General Electric Company (GE) filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin on May 22 seeking to invalidate SonoSite’s US Patent No. 5,722,412, “Hand Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument” (“the 412 patent”). SonoSite has performed a preliminary assessment of the case and believes GE’s claim is baseless and without merit.

“GE’s latest filing is yet another attempt to slow our strong momentum,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “Our momentum is growing because our small, innovative hand-carried systems are having a significant, global impact on patient safety and the cost of healthcare. Because GE is not winning with product innovation or customers, they challenge us in the courts yet again by filing another meritless lawsuit. We strongly believe that there is no legal basis for this lawsuit and we will proceed firmly ahead to defend our legal rights. We will continue to invest in customer-centered innovation, education and service while remaining focused on the needs of clinicians at the point-of-care.”

source: Business Wire

Monday, May 26, 2008

Bioeffects Consensus Report Featured In Journal Of Ultrasound In Medicine

The April 2008 issue of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (JUM) includes an important special feature, the "AIUM Consensus Report on Potential Bioeffects of Diagnostic Ultrasound," which addresses issues related to the bioeffects of diagnostic ultrasound and is intended for use in assessing its risks and benefits.

The report includes 5 articles that provide extensive evaluations of 5 bioeffects categories: postnatal thermal effects, fetal thermal effects, postnatal mechanical effects, fetal mechanical effects, and bioeffects considerations for ultrasound contrast agents. Each article provides an in-depth analysis, conclusions, and recommendations for use.

source: MedicalNewsToday

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Siemens Intracardiac AcuNav Ultrasound Catheter to be Opened for Use on Third Party Ultrasound Systems

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 14 - Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) today announced that it would extend its strategic alliance with Biosense Webster, Inc. by opening up the ACUSON AcuNav(TM) ultrasound catheter for use on third party ultrasound systems. In 2006, the two companies announced an agreement giving Biosense Webster the exclusive worldwide rights to distribute Siemens' ACUSON AcuNav ultrasound catheters, as well as a co-development of the technology in the future.

The ACUSON AcuNav ultrasound catheter provides electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists with high-quality, real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and Doppler blood flow information from within the heart. Cleared for marketing in 1999, the intracardiac catheter is known for its state-of-the art quality and is currently the world's only cardiac imaging ultrasound catheter.

source ThomasNet Press Release

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Volcano Announces Acquisition of Novelis, Inc.

SAN DIEGO, May 19, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ ----Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a provider of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, said today that it has acquired Novelis, Inc., a privately-held company with proprietary ultrasonic visualization and therapy technology for minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic devices.

Novelis' proprietary Forward-Looking IVUS technology platform is expected to build upon Volcano's existing suite of products and further enhance Volcano's position as an imaging technology leader in the field of interventional medicine by enabling forward-looking IVUS and associated therapies in the interventional cardiology market. Volcano expects to add the Novelis products and capability onto its s5i multi-modality integrated platform/hub.

source: Fox Business

Monday, May 19, 2008

European debut of the new system Acuson S2000 from Siemens

Siemens Healthcare is showing its Acuson S2000, the first ultrasound system of the new product series S, at the ECR (European Congress of Radiology) 2008 in Vienna. This system platform includes integration of the newest technologies to optimize workflows and once again considerably simplify the physician's work. Thus the Acuson S2000 has been equipped with comprehensive software applications such as a new software for breast imaging. The system is also well equipped for future technologies: It enables the implementation of innovative ARFI (Acoustic Radiation Forced Impulse) imaging and is prepared for integration of new silicon ultrasound technology, which is almost ready for the market. The Acuson S2000 is suitable for internal medicine radiology imaging including vascular diagnosis and echocardiography as well as gynecology and obstetrics.

One of the most innovative ultrasound applications of the new system is the so-called ARFI ultrasound. It compresses the tissue using acoustic energy and thus allows for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the stiffness of deep tissue. Current research work indicates that this type of evaluation can be helpful in differentiating abnormalities such as liver tumors or quantifying the advancement of fibrosis (development of excess connective tissue).

source: Siemens Healthcare

Saturday, May 17, 2008

New Guide to Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Teaches Diagnosticians and Technicians the Latest Techniques

Sunman, IN (PRWEB) May 16, 2008 -- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for the Extremities by Dr. Randy E. Moore is a straight-forward, easy-to-follow guide which stresses recognition of normal anatomy as a prerequisite to identifying pathology.

In the last 20 years, diagnostic ultrasonography has made tremendous strides. There has been an increase in the use of this process to image musculoskeletal structures and extremities. Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Extremities by Moore is an introduction to the interactive process of scanning protocols. The book provides a foundation in which physicians can develop more advanced scanning abilities and improve evaluation and treatment of patients.

Clearly written and filled with color photographs, the book offers advice on everything from equipment selection to tips for technicians. Moore has also included sample reports.

source: Press Release

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Adding Ultrasound Screening to Mammography Brings Benefits, Risks

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Adding a screening ultrasound examination to routine mammography reveals more breast cancers than mammography alone, according to results of a major new clinical trial. The trial, however, also found that adding an ultrasound exam also increases the rate of false positive findings and unnecessary biopsies.

Results of the clinical trial, conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) and analyzed by Brown University statisticians, appear in the May 14, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"The trial uncovered a significant trade-off with ultrasound screening," said Jeffrey Blume, an associate professor in the Department of Community Health and the deputy director of the ACRIN Biostatistics and Data Management Center at Brown. "While supplemental ultrasound screening uncovers more breast cancers, it also substantially increases the risk of a false positive cancer finding and unnecessary biopsy."

source: Brown University

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Ultrasound-mammography combo detects more breast cancers

Washington, May 14 : Combining ultrasound screening with routine mammography may help in more effective diagnosis of breast cancers, but can also increase the rate of false positive findings, says a new study.

The clinical trials over 2,809 women in 21 clinical sites in the United States, Canada and Argentina were conducted by the American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ACRIN) and analyzed by Brown University statisticians.

The participants were women aged 25 years or older and were at an increased risk of breast cancer, women with dense breasts, women with a family history of breast cancer, and women who'd already had a breast biopsy.

source: newKerala.com

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Siemens introduces new versatile laptop ultrasound system

ACUSON P50 dissolves healthcare boundaries for diagnostic imaging anywhere

Siemens has unveiled a new ultrasound system which combines the flexibility, usability and mobility of a laptop, with the excellent image quality of a full conventional ultrasound system.

Designed to take ultrasound scans anywhere, the ACUSON P50 can easily be carried to locations within the hospital environment, such as cardiology, vascular and intensive care units and also to external locations such as sports fixtures.

The device weighs just 5 Kgs, runs as a Microsoft® Windows® application on an Apple MacBook Pro notebook and is an advanced portable ultrasound system. A sliding control panel on the laptop enables clinicians to perform ultrasound exams, process images and generate reports. Workflow can be streamlined due to faster patient setup, quicker image review, immediate access to archived data and simple reporting. The versatility of the system means users will also be able to view email and access the Internet on the same unit.

source: Siemens

Friday, May 9, 2008

Siemens introduces new versatile laptop ultrasound system

Siemens has unveiled a new ultrasound system which combines the flexibility, usability and mobility of a laptop, with the excellent image quality of a full conventional ultrasound system.

Designed to take ultrasound scans anywhere, the ACUSON P50 can easily be carried to locations within the hospital environment, such as cardiology, vascular and intensive care units and also to external locations such as sports fixtures.

The device weighs just five Kgs, runs as a Microsoft® Windows application on an Apple MacBook Pro notebook and is an advanced portable ultrasound system. A sliding control panel on the laptop enables clinicians to perform ultrasound exams, process images and generate reports. Workflow can be streamlined due to faster patient setup, quicker image review, immediate access to archived data and simple reporting.

source: Siemens

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Prostate Cancer Breakthrough Receives FDA Clearance

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. (May 6, 2008) – A new imaging device, ei•Nav/Artemis™, officially cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), offers urologists breakthrough technology that will significantly help in the fight against prostate cancer. Artemis, designed by Eigen, a Northern California-based company known for developing innovative, affordable medical imaging solutions, will be introduced at the American Urological Association's (AUA) annual meeting May 17 – 22 in Orlando, FL.

Using proprietary next-generation 3D/4D imaging, Artemis™ provides solutions not available today by enhancing urologists' existing ultrasound machines, the vast majority of which are only 2D. Now, Artemis allows urologists to virtually see inside the prostate in real time during biopsy, guides them with 4D needle navigation during the delicate procedure, maps biopsy locations and generates an image of 3D biopsy coordinates for future reference.

source: Eigen

Monday, May 5, 2008

Florida Senate Rejects Measure Requiring Ultrasounds Before Abortion At Any Stage

Florida's Republican-controlled Senate voted 20-20 to reject a House-approved bill (SB 2400) on Wednesday that would have required physicians to perform an ultrasound on all women seeking abortion, the Miami Herald reports. The House had approved a companion bill (HB 257) last month.

According to the Herald, the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to the tie vote pitted Senate Republican leader Dan Webster (R), who sponsored the bill, against former Senate President Jim King (R), who built a coalition of seven Republican moderates and 13 Democrats to defeat it. King said, "Unless you ovulate or have ovulated, we have no business as males interfering with your female decision on reproduction." He added, "A woman making a decision that she wants to abort, that decision should be honored." One Democrat and 19 Republicans voted for the bill (Caputo/Gilpatrick, Miami Herald, 5/1).

source: Medical News Today

Volcano Announces Participation in SATURN Clinical Trial Sponsored by AstraZeneca

SAN DIEGO, May 5, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading manufacturer and developer of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), functional measurement (FM) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) products designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today participation in SATURN (Study of Coronary Atheroma by InTravascular Ultrasound: Effect of Rosuvastatin Versus AtorvastatiN). This marks the first major pharmaceutical trial allowing physicians to use the Volcano Revolution(R) 45 MHz IVUS Imaging catheter as part of the protocol.

SATURN is a 104-week, parallel-group, multicentre, double-blind, Phase IIIb intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging study of approximately 1,300 patients at 170 centres worldwide. This study by AstraZeneca is designed to measure the impact of CRESTOR(TM) (rosuvastatin) 40 mg and atorvastatin (Lipitor(R)) 80 mg on the progression of atherosclerosis in high risk patients. SATURN will compare the effects of these two statins on the ability to decrease progression or induce regression of atherosclerosis, the main cause of cardiovascular disease, following two years of treatment in patients with coronary artery disease.

source: Volcano Corp.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Florida Senate rejects bill requiring ultrasounds before abortions

TALLAHASSEE - After 90 minutes of emotional debate, a splintered Florida Senate on Wednesday killed a bill that would have forced women to undergo ultrasound exams before getting an abortion — a requirement critics condemned as unconstitutional.

The measure's sponsor, Sen. Daniel Webster, R- Winter Garden, had forecast the chances of passage were 50-50. The bill died on a 20-20 tie.

In his final plea to senators, Webster insisted the proposal was needed.

"Good medical practice dictates screening," said Webster, a prominent social conservative ending his 28-year legislative career because of term limits.

source: Florida Sun-Sentinel