Friday, June 27, 2008

New Product Will Broaden 3D/4D Technologies - MEDISON To Launch ACCUVIX V20 In 2nd Half

MEDISON Co., Ltd (CEO: JB Choi, www.medison.com), a world leader in 3D/4D ultrasound systems and the first to develop and commercialize 3D ultrasound image technology, plans a global launch of its new ACCUVIX V20 model in the second half of this year..

The technology-intensive new product is to be showcased at major international conferences and exhibitions, starting with the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetric and Gynecology 2008 in Chicago in August.

The ACCUVIX V20 will be commercially launched in the market at the same time.

source: Medical News Today

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Simple Ultrasound Exam May Predict Osteoporosis Risk

OAK BROOK, Ill. — An ultrasound exam of the heel may be able to predict if a woman is at heightened risk for fractures due to osteoporosis, according to a new multicenter study being published in the July issue of the journal Radiology. Along with certain risk factors, including age or recent fall, radiation-free ultrasound of the heel may be used to better select women who need further bone density testing, such as a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exam.

"Osteoporosis is a major public health issue expected to increase in association with worldwide aging of the population," said the study's lead author Idris Guessous, M.D., senior research fellow in the Department of Internal Medicine at Lausanne University Hospital in Switzerland. "The incidence of osteoporosis will outpace economic resources, and the development of strategies to better identify women who need to be tested is crucial."

source: RSNA

Friday, June 20, 2008

Next Generation Ultrasound Provides Off-Court Assistance At World-Class Tennis Championships

The 2008 Artois Championships at The Queen's Club in London took place from 9- 15th June 2008. Top names including world number two Rafael Nadal, defending champion Andy Roddick and British number one, Andy Murray battled it out for the top prizes at the prestigious men's tournament.

The Doctors Room was on standby throughout the tournament to assess strains or any injuries obtained on the court, ensuring medical treatment could be administered without delay. The ACUSON S2000, a newly launched and advanced ultrasound solution from Siemens was in place to provide imaging assistance if required.

source: Medical News Today

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Cone Instruments Releases New Ultrasound Catalog

SOLON, OH--(Marketwire - June 18, 2008) - Cone Instruments, a worldwide provider of medical imaging supplies, accessories, equipment and service, is issuing the 26th volume of its popular Ultrasound Catalog for 2008.

"It is a pleasure to present you with the 26th volume of Cone Instruments' Ultrasound Catalog for 2008. Cone Instruments has been able to successfully serve the imaging community for over 30 years. The most important key to that success is the loyalty of more than 6000 customers worldwide. As long as you continue to value doing business with a partner that offers competitive prices, a comprehensive product line and personalized service, Cone Instruments will be here for you," said Patrick C. Beck, President and CEO.

source: Marketwire

Friday, June 13, 2008

SonoSite Adds Four Transducers To M-Turbo System

BOTHELL, WA - June 12, 2008 - SonoSite, Inc., (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound for the point-of-care, announced today the first expansion of capabilities for the powerful M-Turbo™ system. The expanded platform includes four new transducers addressing anesthesia, surgery, venous access, musculoskeletal and adult and pediatric cardiology applications, plus further enhancements to emergency medicine documentation worksheets. It also enables playback on the M-Turbo system of the revolutionary SonoSite Education Key™ program training modules. Existing customers can easily upgrade their systems via a software download from a USB thumb drive. Customer shipments began this week.

“Ten years of focus and specialization on addressing the needs of clinicians at the point-of-care underlie the innovation of the M-Turbo system and its sister product line, the S Series™ ultrasound tools, that we introduced just a few months ago,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “These products continue our tradition of setting a new performance benchmark in the industry."

source: SonoSite

Thursday, June 12, 2008

GE Healthcare Announces Updates To Optison Prescribing Information

GE Healthcare announced significant updates to the Prescribing Information (PI) for its ultrasound contrast medium OPTISON TM (Perflutren Protein-Type A Microspheres Injectable Suspension, USP). The Company also announced that it will establish an external, independent safety monitoring board for Optison. These changes come after a recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety review, in which the Agency revised the benefit/risk assessment for all perflutren microsphere contrast agents.

Changes to the Prescribing Information include removal of certain contraindications for the use of Optison in critically ill patients, which will enable physicians to use the agent to diagnose potentially life-threatening cardiac abnormalities. Additional changes include the removal of extensive monitoring requirements post-injection, in all but critically ill patients.

complete update at GE Healthcare

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Ultrasound Contrast Agent Safe During Stress Echocardiogram

Research conducted at the Methodist DeBakey Heart & Vascular Center in Houston shows that the use of ultrasound contrast agents during stress echocardiograms is safe. These results, revealed at the 19th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography, come just months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration mandated a black box warning on labels of contrast agents used for cardiovascular ultrasound.

The risk of major adverse effects is no different in patients that received contrast during their stress echocardiogram than in those who did not receive contrast, according to research findings. This held true even though contrast was more often used in patients with a higher cardiac risk profile.

source: Medical News Today

Monday, June 9, 2008

Mindray's DC-3 Color Ultrasound Gains U.S. FDA 510(k) Clearance

SHENZHEN, China, June 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Mindray Medical International Limited (NYSE: MR), a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices worldwide, today announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") for its DC-3 color ultrasound imaging system. The clearance comes in addition to China State Food and Drug Administration ("SFDA") approval and CE Mark granted earlier this year for the sale of the DC-3 in Chinese and European markets, respectively.

"The compact DC-3 combines outstanding 2D imaging and exceptional color Doppler performance," said Mr. Li Xiting, Mindray's president and co-chief executive officer. "With a superior price-to-performance ratio, we are confident that this versatile product will meet the diverse needs and requirements of hospitals, doctors' offices and veterinary clinics around the world."

source: Mindray

Friday, June 6, 2008

Coronary Disease: A New Perspective Thanks To Ultrasound

Compared to other techniques, Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) is much better at monitoring the increase or decrease of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries. Can the method even be used to predict the odds of a heart attack or other cardiovascular event? Studies indicate this may be the case, states Professor Clemens von Birgelen in his inaugural address at the University of Twente. Results of IVUS measurements also raise the question of whether patients with demonstrated coronary disease should be treated with more powerful cholesterol-lowering statins to reverse atherosclerosis. Von Birgelen's inaugural address takes place on 5 June.

Narrowed coronary arteries due to atherosclerosis can be visualised using 'classic' cardiac catheterisation, but the technique only shows the space the blood flows through, the 'lumen', and not the diseased vascular wall surrounding it. By using a specialised catheter with an ultrasound 'sensor', IVUS also creates images of the calcifications, the 'plaque', and allows various components of the plaque to be identified not only calcium, but also fat and connective tissue.

source: Medical News Today