Saturday, January 30, 2010

Vetel Diagnostics Offers Revolutionary Portable Ultrasound System

PR Log (Press Release) – Jan 29, 2010 – San Luis Obispo, CA -- Vetel Diagnostics, a leading provider of digital diagnostic imaging systems to veterinarians is offering ZONARE®’S z.one Scan Engine ultrasound system. This is the world’s first portable ultrasound system that easily converts the z.one system from a compact, 5.5 pound hand carried system to an optional cart-based system. The Scan Engine features the performance of a larger and more expensive system with portability and flexibility, without sacrificing image quality.

ZONARE’s proprietary technology is an entirely new approach to ultrasound data acquisition and image formation. Instead of information being captured conventionally–line-by-line–Zone Sonography™ technology captures zones of information, at one-tenth the time.

ZONARE is revolutionary in the industry as it delivers innovative, technology driven software-versus hardware. The Scan Engine has unlimited scalability, rendering the system economical and countinuosly state-of-the art. Vetel founder Jim Waldsmith, DVM explains that “traditional systems need to be updated every 5 to 7 years – a costly expense. But z.one Scan Engine systems’ software upgrades can be downloaded over the internet–a cost effective way to stay current with the latest innovations. There’s no need to ever purchase hardware again.”

source: PR Log

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Ultrasound + Proteomic Blood Analyses May Help Physicians Diagnose Early-Stage Ovarian Cancer

Noninvasive contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, combined with proteomic analyses of blood samples may help physicians identify early-stage ovarian cancer and save the lives of many women, according to an article published in the February issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology. Proteomics is the study of proteins, particularly their structure and function.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related death. More than 21,500 women annually are diagnosed with the disease. Each year, nearly 15,000 women die from ovarian cancer. More than two-thirds of these patients (67 percent) are diagnosed at an advanced-stage. If early-stage ovarian cancer is detected, survival is greater than 90 percent (compared to 30 percent for advanced-stage disease).

“The fact that so many women are not diagnosed until their disease is advanced confirms the inadequacy of pelvic examinations and standard ultrasound in detecting early-stage ovarian cancer and the dire need for a validated screening method for the detection of early-stage disease,” said David A. Fishman, MD, lead author of the article. “The ability to detect ovarian cancer by a simple blood test has long been the holy grail of screening tests. Although a single biomarker blood test would be ideal and simple, it is not possible at present,” said Fishman.

source: ARRS

Thursday, January 14, 2010

CAE Healthcare acquires ICCU and VIMEDIX to offer a complete training solution for ultrasound imaging

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 14, 2010) - (TSX:CAE)(NYSE:CAE) - CAE Healthcare has acquired ICCU Imaging and VIMEDIX in order to expand its growing portfolio with a specialty in ultrasound imaging training.

ICCU Imaging specializes in developing cutting-edge multimedia educative material and offering practical and easy-to-use educational solutions to help medical providers perform a focused bedside ultrasound examination. VIMEDIX specializes in developing advanced echographic simulation training and has begun marketing a virtual reality animated transthoracic echocardiography simulator.

"These bolt-on acquisitions are an important step in the growth of CAE Healthcare. By combining the expertise of ICCU Imaging and VIMEDIX with CAE's training, simulation and modelling know-how, CAE Healthcare will be able to offer a complete solution for ultrasound imaging training, including e-learning, bedside ultrasound seminars and medical simulators," said CAE Healthcare President Guillaume Herve. "ICCU Imaging and VIMEDIX are first-class operations. It is a pleasure to welcome their leaders, recognized as worldwide experts in their fields, Dr. Yanick Beaulieu, President and founder of ICCU Imaging and Dr. Robert Amyot, CEO and President of VIMEDIX, to the CAE Healthcare team."

source: MarketWire

Monday, January 4, 2010

Prenatal Ultrasonography Has Increased 55% For Pregnant Women, Even In Low-risk Pregnancies

Current use of prenatal ultrasounds in women with singleton pregnancies is 55% greater than in 1996, even in low-risk pregnancies. More than one-third (37%) of pregnant women now receive 3 or more ultrasound tests in the second and third trimesters of a given pregnancy, found an article in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal). The increase in the use of multiple ultrasound scans per pregnancy has been more pronounced in low-risk than high-risk pregnancies, suggesting a need to review current practices.

Current guidelines recommend two ultrasounds in an uncomplicated pregnancy - one in the first trimester and one in the second to screen for fetal and genetic anomalies.

source: Medical News Today