GE Healthcare Introduces Ultrasound Fusion; New LOGIQ E9 Merges Real-Time Ultrasound With CT, MR, and PET

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - GE Healthcare today
announced the launch of a new ultrasound system for
radiology and vascular applications that fuses
ultrasound images with images from other imaging
modalities like CT and MR.The new LOGIQ(R) E9
includes Volume Navigation, an innovative tool which
incorporates two key components to maximize the
system's new agile ultrasound architecture: 'Fusion'
to combine the advantages of real-time ultrasound
imaging with the high spatial and contrast resolution
of CT, MR or PET; and a 'GPS-like technology' to
track and mark a patient's anatomy during the
ultrasound exam, bringing confidence and productivity
to both diagnostic and interventional studies.

"GE's new LOGIQ E9 helps address the biggest
challenge in ultrasound radiology and vascular care
- how to leverage clinical images from previous
diagnostic imaging studies for interventional or
diagnostic ultrasound procedures," said Terri
Bresenham, GE's Global VP, Diagnostic Ultrasound and
Information Technology. "We worked closely with a
global team of radiologists and sonographers to
develop this new ultrasound architecture, giving
clinicians the advantages of imaging modalities -
MR, CT and PET - and it is already reigniting the
imagination of the ultrasound industry."

source: CNW Group

Pocket-Sized Echocardiograph Provides Quick And Qualitative Assessment

The European Journal of Echocardiography* recently published a paper studying the performance of Siemens' ACUSON P10™ ultrasound system at the Morriston Cardiac Centre in Swansea. Results revealed that the P10 was, within a four minute examination, able to assess the size and function of the left ventricle in more than three quarters of cardiac patients.

Images obtained by the P10 were assessed on the ability to provide information on whether or not the left ventricle, left atrium, aortic and mitral valves were 'grossly normal' or 'grossly abnormal'. There were no instances of the bedside scan missing a significant finding that was then detected with alternative methods of imaging. Furthermore, in two cases, results from the P10 scan had an immediate impact on the clinical management of a cardiac patient.

source: Medical News Today

Siemens Integrates ARFI Imaging Into Ultrasound

Siemens Healthcare is presenting one of the most innovative technologies for its Acuson S2000 ultrasound system at the Medica from November 19 – 22, 2008 in Duesseldorf, Germany.

The Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging and Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification applications are the first commercially available implementations of ARFI (Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse). Similar to a physical palpation exam, these leading-edge applications represent a new dimension of diagnostic information by interrogating the mechanical strain properties or stiffness of tissue, which may be correlated with pathology.

Both applications are particularly suited to evaluating liver tissue. Additional fields of use – such as in prostate diagnosis – are currently clinically validated.

source: Innovations Report

Oregon Institute of Technology Acquires Toshiba Aplio Artida 4D Ultrasound System

TUSTIN, Calif., Nov 11, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- To offer its students access to the most advanced medical technology available, Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT) has acquired the Toshiba Aplio(TM) Artida 4D ultrasound system. The acquisition of the advanced ultrasound system will make OIT the first undergraduate program in the United States to offer courses in 4D ultrasound imaging.

"Our goal is to train OIT students using the newest, most advanced technology to prepare them for high-tech, high-demand careers in healthcare," explained OIT's Brad Burda, acting provost and interim dean, School of Health, Arts and Sciences. "By using the Artida, one of the most advanced 4D ultrasound systems available, our students will gain the comprehensive skills necessary to meet today's healthcare demands."

source: MarketWatch

ACUSON S2000 showcased at leading museum of modern medicine

Siemens Healthcare recently supported the Leeds and Bradford Ultrasound Study Day at the Thackray Museum in Leeds, one of the UK’s leading medical museums. Delegates listened to various talks from eminent speakers on liver and obstetric imaging plus received an informative presentation on the ACUSON S2000™ ultrasound system.

Not only does the ACUSON S2000 provide excellent image quality in difficult to image patients, it also includes innovative applications to improve diagnostic confidence. Applications such as Virtual Touch™ Quantification use Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) technology to compress tissue and provide qualitative and quantitative assessment of its stiffness. This application can be utilised anywhere in the body, however its main clinical advantage is currently in the evaluation and quantification of liver stiffness.

The ACUSON S2000 also provides best-in-class foetal imaging for 2D and 3D / 4D acquisition. Its Spatio-Temporal Image Correlation (STIC) feature enables an automated acquisition of a high quality foetal heart volume, using a sophisticated algorithm that compensates for variability in heart rate. This enables doctors to obtain detailed volumes of the foetal heart for more accurate diagnosis. The S2000 also benefits from advanced knowledge-based workflow applications such as syngo® Auto OB measurements to improve diagnostic confidence and enhance workflow.

source: Siemens

Ultrasound helps predict heart attacks in "low risk" patients

HOUSTON -- (November 10, 2008) -- By adding the results of an imaging technique to the traditional risk factors for coronary heart disease, doctors at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found they were able to improve prediction of heart attacks in people previously considered low risk.

The findings are being presented today at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in New Orleans.

Researchers used ultrasound imaging to view the carotid intima media thickness (C-IMT), or thickness of the artery walls.

"The ultrasound added another dimension to the risk factor score and showed us that those with thick arteries in the higher end of low risk group actually are at intermediate risk for coronary heart disease," said Dr. Vijay Nambi, assistant professor of medicine - atherosclerosis and vascular medicine at BCM and lead author of the study.

source: Baylor University College of Medicine

National Association Endorses Recommendations for Contrast Agent Use in Heart Ultrasounds (Echocardiograms)

MORRISVILLE, N.C., Nov 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- American Society of Echocardiography Lays out Clinical Applications and Safety Considerations

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) today backed the use of contrast agents, used to enhance echocardiogram images, and provided a guide for physicians who may be hesitant to use the contrast agents following a 2007 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) black box warning. In a new statement, supported by expert consensus opinion, critical review, and evidence-based research, ASE outlines why, when and how the contrast agents should be used to enhance diagnosis, the role for each person in the lab, and methods to implement contrast in the lab. The statement, "The American Society of Echocardiography Consensus Statement on the Clinical Applications of Ultrasonic Contrast Agents in Echocardiography," was released in the November 2008 issue of The Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography.

source: MarketWatch

Misonix Subsidiary, Sonora Medical Systems, Announces a Major Ultrasound Probe Study

FARMINGDALE, N.Y., Nov 04, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Misonix, Inc. today announced that its Sonora Medical Systems subsidiary ("Sonora Medical"), a leading supplier of after market products, services and test equipment to the medical imaging market, presented an ultrasound probe study in Sweden at the country's annual clinical engineering meeting recently held in Goteborg, Sweden. The paper was presented by the School for Technology and Health, the Royal Technical University, the Biomedical Engineering Department of Karolinska University Hospital and the Department for Clinical Physiology of Karolinska University Hospital and was titled "Defective ultrasound transducers in Swedish hospitals." The presentation from this study can be downloaded at www.4sonora.com.

Using the Sonora FirstCall probe testing system the authors tested 704 probes in clinical use from 30 hospitals representing 7 ultrasound manufacturers. The authors found that 39.8% of the transducers tested had functional failures and that there was no statistical difference in the number of probe failures discovered on systems under service contract or not on service contract.

source: MarketWatch

DRE Adds Affordable Refurbished Ultrasound Machines to Product Line

DRE, Inc. — named by Business First of Louisville as one of the fastest-growing businesses in Louisville, Ky. — now sells professionally refurbished ultrasound machines. DRE’s extensive lineup of affordable ultrasound machines includes systems from many popular brands, including GE, Siemens/Acuson, Philips, HP and Medison.

Refurbished ultrasound machines from DRE are designed for a variety of study areas, including cardiac, OB/GYN and vascular ultrasound studies. Dependable ultrasound systems for each study-type are available from DRE in portable and mobile stand-alone options.

Each refurbished ultrasound system sold by DRE is put through a multi-point inspection and biomedical engineering process. Each ultrasound machine is reconditioned to be as close as possible to the standards of the original equipment manufacturer.

source: DRE

SonoSite Announces Powerful New Technology For M-Turbo™ System

BOTHELL, WA - October 27, 2008 - SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound for point of care medicine, announced today the introduction of SonoGT™ Global Targeted technology, an advance that capitalizes on the power of the M-Turbo platform to drive a new level of color flow imaging, wireless connectivity and workflow integration for anesthesia, emergency medicine, critical care and other acute point-of-care markets.

“SonoGT technology demonstrates the intrinsic capabilities of the M-Turbo system architecture to address our global, multiple point-of-care markets with targeted solutions,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “This advance is aimed at increasing imaging capabilities and clinical productivity and includes a wide range of new technologies and options.”

The company plans to begin customer shipments of new M-Turbo systems with SonoGT technology in the fourth quarter.

source : SonoSite

Sensitive ultrasound to spot early-stage cancer

European researchers have developed highly sensitive ultrasound equipment that can detect tiny quantities of reflective microbubbles engineered to stick to specific tumour cells. The technique should pick up tumours early and improve patients' chances of survival.

Most of the current diagnostic methods – biopsy analysis, biochemical tests and medical imaging – are not sufficiently sensitive. They frequently return a false negative; the tumour is only discovered when it is much bigger, and too late.

European researchers are developing a new technique that will help medical professionals visualise tiny quantities of pathological tissue in patients. The technology could localise tumours in their very earliest stages of development and help doctors begin treatments much earlier, giving patients a much better chance of survival.

source: ICT Results

SonoSite Hand-Carried Ultrasound Systems Score 99% Approval Ratings

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound at the point-of-care, announced today that an independently conducted, random survey of U.S. customers showed that 99% are satisfied with their SonoSite product and that nine out of 10 customers are “very” or “completely” satisfied overall. The statistically significant survey is the fifth commissioned by SonoSite since January 2005 to document similarly high approval ratings.

SonoSite Products Exceed Expectations

The survey measured satisfaction among both new users, defined as those who had acquired a SonoSite system within the past four to six months, and long term users, customers who had acquired a SonoSite system within the past eight months to three years. To participate in the survey, respondents were required to be involved in the day-to-day operation or usage of the SonoSite products and not just involved in the acquisition decision.

The survey found a commanding majority of participants of both new and long-term users said that SonoSite products exceeded their expectations for image quality, reliability, durability, ergonomic design of transducers and ease of use and that they would recommend their SonoSite product to colleagues. Most customers say they would be “very likely” to acquire additional SonoSite products and that they would recommend their SonoSite product to their colleagues.

source: SonoSite

Advanced New LA County-USC Trauma Center Redefines Resuscitation Through Integrating Mounted Point-Of-Care Ultrasound

BOTHELL, WA - October 7, 2008 - SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound in point of care medicine, announced today that the new Los Angeles County-USC (LAC+USC) Medical Center has installed 12 S-FAST™ point-of-care ultrasound tools in each of its major resuscitation bays, where the most critically ill and injured people are treated. LA County Hospital is one of the country’s largest and busiest Level I trauma centers with 150,000 ED patient visits annually and is recognized worldwide as a leader in trauma care.

By mounting SonoSite’s zero-footprint ultrasound tools on the Steris® Harmony Ceiling System resuscitation towers with defibrillators, cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters and other critical care equipment, this highly advanced Level 1 trauma center moves to the forefront of integrating ultrasound into patient resuscitation and trauma care. Opening to patients on November 7, LA County-USC Medical Center will become the world’s first emergency department to integrate point-of-care ultrasound in such a comprehensive way.

source: SonoSite

GE Healthcare and Boston Scientific Collaborate on Cardiovascular Imaging

WAUKESHA, Wis. and NATICK, Mass., Oct. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- GE Healthcare (NYSE: GE) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) market leader Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced a collaboration that enables improved intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) workflow between the GE Healthcare Innova® Cardiovascular X-ray System and the Boston Scientific iLab® Ultrasound Imaging System. The iLab and Innova Systems will both be featured at the October 12-17 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Scientific Symposium in Washington, D.C.

The Innova® System is the world's most trusted family of all-digital cardiovascular imaging systems. The Innova X-ray imaging systems provide users with excellent image quality with industry leading dose efficiency. Built on GE's industry leading Innova digital detector, the Innova System helps physicians clearly visualize fine vessels, precisely place stents and successfully perform critical procedures. Cardiologists in the cardiac cath lab use it when performing procedures to view and treat potential coronary artery blockages that could cause heart attacks or other serious cardiovascular damage. The system is designed to provide cardiologists with more information than ever before, resulting in better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

source: Boston Scientific

Advanced New LA County-USC Trauma Center Redefines Resuscitation Through Integrating Mounted Point-Of-Care Ultrasound

BOTHELL, WA - October 7, 2008 - SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound in point of care medicine, announced today that the new Los Angeles County-USC (LAC+USC) Medical Center has installed 12 S-FAST™ point-of-care ultrasound tools in each of its major resuscitation bays, where the most critically ill and injured people are treated. LA County Hospital is one of the country’s largest and busiest Level I trauma centers with 150,000 ED patient visits annually and is recognized worldwide as a leader in trauma care.

By mounting SonoSite’s zero-footprint ultrasound tools on the Steris® Harmony Ceiling System resuscitation towers with defibrillators, cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters and other critical care equipment, this highly advanced Level 1 trauma center moves to the forefront of integrating ultrasound into patient resuscitation and trauma care. Opening to patients on November 7, LA County-USC Medical Center will become the world’s first emergency department to integrate point-of-care ultrasound in such a comprehensive way.

source: SonoSite

Terason Launches IMPACT 2008 to Provide Unique Advantage in Laptop Ultrasound Market

BURLINGTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TERASON, the innovator and leader in patented ultrasound microsystem technology, advances its handheld laptop ultrasound system with the release of IMPACT 2008. With this release, Terason focuses on bringing a superior cost-effective patient care solution through its Windows® based architecture to our customers. IMPACT 2008 advances the overall performance and functionality of ultrasound across various applications.

IMPACT 2008 encompasses many new features and benefits advancing the overall image quality of Terason’s Ultrasound Systems. Superior image quality is enriched through proprietary new algorithms, lateral resolution, Advanced Harmonic Imaging (AHI) and OmniVision. The increase in lateral resolution is achieved without decreasing the frame rate. OmniVision features electronic beam steering for rapidly acquiring several scans from many different viewing angles for more confidence in visualization and diagnosis. OmniVision reduces speckle, shadowing, clutter and other acoustic artifacts, resulting in exceptional contrast resolution and tissue differentiation. New grayscale maps provide clinicians with exquisite grayscale imaging, as well as additional choices in image displays. Terason’s unique advanced harmonic imaging algorithm is further optimized for the 5C2 and 4V2 transducers, reducing artifacts and improving contrast resolution.

source: Business Wire