Medical Technology News From Around The World
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Digirad received the European CE Mark of approval for its Cardius X-ACT solid state SPECT imager. It features low dose volume CT attenuation correction, 3D-OSEM reconstruction and upright imaging capability.
The company already has approval from the FDA to market the Cardius X-ACT in the U.S.
Press release: Digirad Receives CE Mark Approval for Advanced, Solid-State Cardius(R) X-ACT Imaging System
Researchers from the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering, a collaboration between A-STAR in Singapore and Imperial College in London, have come up with a new way to create electromagnetic Teraherts waves (T-rays). The new technology can make T-rays into a stronger, more directional beam than current methods. This could allow T-ray devices to become much smaller and cheaper in the future. The results of their study were published in Nature Photonics.
Current T-ray imaging devices, like airport full-body scanners, are very large and expensive, and consume large amounts of energy as well. A portable T-ray scanning device could in the future make a medical tricorder possible, as T-rays can detect certain biological processes, such as changes in blood flow. As every molecule has a unique signature in the THz range, T-rays can sense for specific molecules as well.
Crux Biomedical has received CE mark approval for its inferior vena cava filter (IVCF) with bi-directional retrieval. Inferior vena cava filters are implanted to trap blood clots that may cause pulmonary embolism in patients who are at high risk but have contraindications to anticoagulation.
The Crux Biomedical IVCF was designed to overcome several limitations of currently available vena cava filters including perforation, migration and inability to retrieve. Features, from the product page:
Yesterday Philips announced its new Xper Flex Cardio Physiomonitoring system for intraoperative hemodynamic analysis.
The device provides clinicians with Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) measurements, as well as ECG, respiration, and other vitals. It features both 12 and 16-lead ECG analysis, giving more options when working in the EP, cath labs, and during more invasive procedures.
Agfa received FDA clearance for its DX-M digitizer with needle-based detectors for use in mammography and general radiography. It features the firm’s MUSICA2 advanced image processing software, three image resolution modes (50 μm pixel pitch (20 pixels/mm), 100 μm pixel pitch (10 pixels/mm) and 150 μm pixel pitch (6.7 pixels/mm)), a “drop-and-go buffer” for cassettes so you don’t have to wait for the digitization, and a number of other features that improve workflow.
The system can support both needle-based detector cassettes and standard phosphor plate cassettes, and the two types are colored differently to eliminate confusion.
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Medtronic announced receiving European approval for its Endurant II AAA Stent Graft System and will be making it available globally.
The device provides a minimally invasive (endovascular) option for addressing abdominal aortic aneurysms and includes a few improvements on the previous model:
Planmed (Helsinki, Finland) has received European CE Mark for the Planmed Verity, a mobile extremity CT scanner for orthopedic imaging. The Planmed Verity Extremity Scanner utilizes cone-beam CT (CBCT) technology that provides fast and accurate low-dose 3D imaging of peripheral skeletal fractures and disorders at the point-of-care. Volumetric imaging with multi-planar reconstruction and volume rendering can be performed with an isotropic resolution of up to 0.2mm (optional 0.1mm high resolution mode).
Scanning takes less than 20 seconds during which images are acquired using a short X-ray pulse instead of continuous radiation, resulting in a radiation dose of up to ten times lower compared to extremity imaging protocols with conventional CT. The compact, mobile device can be sited in any existing X-ray room, side-by-side with other imaging systems.
Ortho Kinematics has received FDA clearance for its KineGraph Vertebral Motion Analyzer (VMA) system. The KineGraph VMA system is designed to standardize and automate the processes involved with flexion/extension X-rays, including patient bending, image acquisition and image analysis. Motion Normalizer devices provide powered passive trunk bending in either a standing or lying down configuration. Fluoroscopy images of the spine are then captured at standardized trunk bending angles. Image recognition software locates the vertebrae on each frame and the intervertebral angle is plotted as a function of the degree of trunk bending, creating a KineGraph plot for each vertebral level. From the press release:
Flexion/Extension x-rays have remained the standard for quantifying spine function for over 60 years. The standard test provides only a rough approximation of spine function because it compares measurements, taken from X-ray images, of patients standing upright versus bending backward, forward, and sideways. The KineGraph VMA involves patented refinements that allow surgeons to view videos of vertebral motion that cover the entire range of spine bending instead of comparing just two x-ray “snapshots”.
Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, developed a new radiotherapy planning tool that automates and accelerates the treatment planning process. The smart segmentation knowledge-based contouring tool works with the company’s earlier released Eclipse planning software.The Eclipse treatment planning system includes contouring and field set up, with the added benefit of 4D visualization throughout the process. Eclipse displays the motion of targets and critical structures using specially designed 4D tools. With Smart Segmentation Knowledge Based Contouring, two techniques are combined to make the contouring process as quick and accurate as possible. The ‘Smart Segmentation’ will automatically identify and visually outline organs and other anatomical structures. ‘Knowledge Based Contouring’ will accelerate the process by matching pre-contoured images from a database with those of the patient. The Knowledge Based Contouring tool contains an anatomy atlas that covers all of the areas of the body most commonly treated with radiotherapy.
Jefferson Amacker, director, clinical solutions commented:
The Medical Revolution Will Be Blogged.
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