August 21, 2008—The supply of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanners in Canada increased significantly over four years, according to a new report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Medical Imaging in Canada, 2007 reports that in 2007, there were 419 CT scanners and 222 MRI machines installed and operational in Canada, up from 325 and 149, respectively, in 2003. In the most recent year, between 2006 and 2007, the number of CT scanners increased by 27 and the number of MRI scanners increased by 21. The rate of MRI and CT exams performed per 1,000 population in Canada rose by 43% and 28%, respectively, in the four years between 2003 and 2007, and rose by 4% and 5%, respectively, in the most recent year.
Despite the increases, Canada, with 12 CT scanners and 6 MRI machines per million population, falls below the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) median of 15 CT scanners and 7 MRI machines per million population in 2005, the latest year for which data are available. There were 103 CT exams per 1,000 people performed in Canada in 2007, less than the rate performed in both the United States (207) and Belgium (138), but higher than the rate in Sweden (89), Spain (57), England (54) and Denmark (34). In comparison, Canada’s rate of MRI exams per 1,000 population (31) was higher than that in England (25), Spain (21) and Denmark (17), and lower than in the U.S. (89), Belgium (43) and Sweden (39).
source: Canadian Institute for Health Information
8.23.2008
Carnegie Mellon Scientists Develop MRI Technology That
PHILADELPHIA—Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) isn't just for capturing detailed images of the body's anatomy. Thanks to novel imaging reagents and technology developed by Carnegie Mellon University scientist Eric Ahrens, MRI can be used to visualize — with "exquisite" specificity — cell populations of interest in the living body. The ability to non-invasively locate and track cells, such as immune cells, will greatly aid the study and treatment of cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases, as well as provide a tool for advancing clinical translation of the emerging field of cellular regenerative medicine, by tracking stem cells for example.
Ahrens will present his research on this new approach, called fluorocarbon labeling, Thursday, Aug. 21 at the 236th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia.
"With our technology we can image specific cells in real-time with exquisite selectivity, which allows us to track their location and movement and to count the apparent number of cells present. We then use conventional MRI to obtain a high-resolution image that places the labeled cells in their anatomical context," said Ahrens, an associate professor of biological sciences at the Mellon College of Science.
source: Carnegie Mellon University
Ahrens will present his research on this new approach, called fluorocarbon labeling, Thursday, Aug. 21 at the 236th national meeting of the American Chemical Society in Philadelphia.
"With our technology we can image specific cells in real-time with exquisite selectivity, which allows us to track their location and movement and to count the apparent number of cells present. We then use conventional MRI to obtain a high-resolution image that places the labeled cells in their anatomical context," said Ahrens, an associate professor of biological sciences at the Mellon College of Science.
source: Carnegie Mellon University
8.22.2008
Draeger Fabius MRI Receives FDA Clearance To Provide Advanced Anesthesia Technology In The MR Environment
Draeger Medical, Inc. announced that the Draeger Fabius MRI anesthesia machine has received FDA clearance. The newest member to the family of Draeger anesthesia machines is designed specifically to meet the requirements for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) environment.
The Fabius MRI is designed for use with 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems. An integrated Teslameter provides an acoustic alarm if the Fabius MRI is positioned within a field strength greater than 40mTesla (400 Gauss).
The Fabius MRI employs the same user interface as Draeger's Fabius GS, Fabius Tiro and Apollo machines, creating a uniform and consistent interface for the anesthesia provider wherever anesthesia is required. The size of the MRI system often requires the anesthesia provider to be outside the room or some distance away from the device during an examination. To accommodate this, additional optical alarm displays (LEDs) at the top of the system provide visual indication for all alarm conditions for the safety of the patient in this specialized environment.
source: Draeger
The Fabius MRI is designed for use with 1.5T and 3.0T MRI systems. An integrated Teslameter provides an acoustic alarm if the Fabius MRI is positioned within a field strength greater than 40mTesla (400 Gauss).
The Fabius MRI employs the same user interface as Draeger's Fabius GS, Fabius Tiro and Apollo machines, creating a uniform and consistent interface for the anesthesia provider wherever anesthesia is required. The size of the MRI system often requires the anesthesia provider to be outside the room or some distance away from the device during an examination. To accommodate this, additional optical alarm displays (LEDs) at the top of the system provide visual indication for all alarm conditions for the safety of the patient in this specialized environment.
source: Draeger
8.21.2008
Landmark Study Leads To Concern Over The Safety And Cleanliness Of MRIs
Peter Rothschild, M.D., renowned Radiologist and MRI expert, has released the ground-breaking paper, recently published on AuntMinnie.com, titled "Preventing Infection in MRI: Best Practices for Infection Control in and Around MRI Suites." This article expands on the issue that MRIs are often not being properly cleaned, thus leading to concern over Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) spread during radiological scans, in particular MRI.
MRSA was originally identified in 1961 and is now widespread throughout healthcare facilities, both hospital and outpatient settings. The most common source for transmission of MRSA is by direct or indirect contact with people who have MRSA infections or are asymptomatic carriers.
source: Medical News Today
MRSA was originally identified in 1961 and is now widespread throughout healthcare facilities, both hospital and outpatient settings. The most common source for transmission of MRSA is by direct or indirect contact with people who have MRSA infections or are asymptomatic carriers.
source: Medical News Today
8.15.2008
GE Healthcare Recognizes First Magnetic Resonance Imaging System To Receive Ecomagination Certification
GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), announced its Signa HDe 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system as the first medical imaging product from GE Healthcare to be recognized as an ecomagination offering after completing the company's rigorous internal environmental and operational evaluation, recognizing it as one of the most energy efficient 1.5T MRI systems commercially available.
Ecomagination is GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environmental and financial needs, such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. The Signa HDe 1.5T was recognized as an ecomagination product on the basis of energy savings, as well as operating benefits. Compared to the average 1.5T MRI system, the GE Signa HDe 1.5T is designed to use over 20% less space, increasing siting flexibility.
source: GE Healthcare
Ecomagination is GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environmental and financial needs, such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. The Signa HDe 1.5T was recognized as an ecomagination product on the basis of energy savings, as well as operating benefits. Compared to the average 1.5T MRI system, the GE Signa HDe 1.5T is designed to use over 20% less space, increasing siting flexibility.
source: GE Healthcare
MEDRAD Receives FDA 510(k) Clearance For Wireless MR Infusion System
MEDRAD, INC., announced that the wireless version of its Continuum MR Infusion System has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance.
The new Continuum Wireless MR Infusion System enables the clinician to control a patient's medication infusion during a magnetic resonance (MR) procedure from both inside and outside the scan room. When changes are needed, including flow rate, bolus, or to start or stop the infusion altogether, clinicians can control these parameters without interrupting the MRI scan with a new wireless remote display featuring a color touch screen. This option will increase workflow efficiencies and throughput while enhancing clinician confidence by enabling easy selection from up to nine IV stands, minimizing scan interruptions due to infusion changes and displaying all infusion parameters.
source: Medical News Today
The new Continuum Wireless MR Infusion System enables the clinician to control a patient's medication infusion during a magnetic resonance (MR) procedure from both inside and outside the scan room. When changes are needed, including flow rate, bolus, or to start or stop the infusion altogether, clinicians can control these parameters without interrupting the MRI scan with a new wireless remote display featuring a color touch screen. This option will increase workflow efficiencies and throughput while enhancing clinician confidence by enabling easy selection from up to nine IV stands, minimizing scan interruptions due to infusion changes and displaying all infusion parameters.
source: Medical News Today
8.12.2008
GE Healthcare Recognizes First Magnetic Resonance Imaging System To Receive Ecomagination Certification
GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), announced its Signa HDe 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system as the first medical imaging product from GE Healthcare to be recognized as an ecomagination offering after completing the company's rigorous internal environmental and operational evaluation, recognizing it as one of the most energy efficient 1.5T MRI systems commercially available.
Ecomagination is GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environmental and financial needs, such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. The Signa HDe 1.5T was recognized as an ecomagination product on the basis of energy savings, as well as operating benefits. Compared to the average 1.5T MRI system, the GE Signa HDe 1.5T is designed to use over 20% less space, increasing siting flexibility.
source: GE Healthcare
Ecomagination is GE's commitment to imagine and build innovative technologies that help customers address their environmental and financial needs, such as the need for cleaner, more efficient sources of energy. The Signa HDe 1.5T was recognized as an ecomagination product on the basis of energy savings, as well as operating benefits. Compared to the average 1.5T MRI system, the GE Signa HDe 1.5T is designed to use over 20% less space, increasing siting flexibility.
source: GE Healthcare
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
