GE Announces Groundbreaking MR Scanner Featuring Exceptional Patient Experience, Compact Design And High Resolution Images

Fairfield, Conn., March 28, 2011 – (NYSE: GE) – GE today announced the launch of the Optima* MR430s, a new specialty scanner with breakthrough technology that delivers precise imaging with exceptional comfort and the 1.5T image quality radiologists require. The Optima MR430s is an extreme leap forward in MR imaging because only the targeted anatomy – whether it’s an arm or a leg – goes inside the system. It is the latest in a series of innovative health technologies that provide better health to more people through GE’s healthymagination initiative.

“GE's Optima MR430s extremity scanner stands out because it ensures high quality images and a more refined, comfortable MR experience for those who have suffered injuries to an arm, leg or even a wrist or ankle,” said Dr. William B. Morrison, Director of Musculoskeletal Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. “This scanning technology helps eliminate anxiety and discomfort often associated with full-body MR technology.”

The Optima MR430s is a musculoskeletal MR system that delivers precise imaging of the arm, including elbow, wrist and hand, or the leg, including knee, ankle and foot, allowing the patient to recline on a comfortable padded and adjustable chair with only the targeted anatomy positioned in the system. The innovative design is patient-friendly and may provide greater peace of mind, especially for those who have trouble laying still or feel uncomfortable with a traditional MR system.

source: GE Medical

HCG Launches Biograph m CT-World’s First Molecular CT ; A Boon For Early Diagnosis

Bangalore 18th March 2011:

HCG launched the world’s 1st Biograph m CT, an advanced technology of a High Definition PET CT scan which is the next level of integrated imaging.

Speaking to the media on this occasion, Dr.Rodney Hicks Professor & Director –Molecular Imaging at Peter Mac Callum Cancer Center, Melbourne, Australia said “This is an advanced technology with the ability to make the diagnosis precise. Thus during treatment, radiotherapy can be targeted to the cancer cells without affecting the good cells. With this technology the side effects of radiotherapy can be minimized”.

Dr. Ajaikumar Chairman HCG said “Metabolic changes of an organ can be noticed much before anyone can see anatomical changes. Thus early diagnosis is possible through PET CT.India has already acquired 70 PET CT scan machines, of which HCG alone has four similar machines across its centers and has ordered five more PET CT scanners. However HCG is the only center in India to have acquired HD PET CT.

source: PR-Usa

Researchers Present Key Findings Comparing PEM to MRI for Identification of Contralateral Breast Cancer at the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC) Conference

LAS VEGAS, March 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers presented data demonstrating increased specificity of Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) when compared to MRI for the detection of breast cancer at the National Consortium of Breast Centers' 21st Annual National Interdisciplinary Breast Center Conference held March 12 – 16, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The poster presentation, titled Pre-Surgical Detection of Malignancies in the Contralateral Breast Using Positron Emission Mammography: Comparisons with Magnetic Resonance Imaging, reveals the results of a 208 patient, single-site, IRB-approved, prospective study.

Women with newly diagnosed breast cancer have a 3-5% incidence of synchronous contralateral cancer (cancer in the opposite breast). Because of this increased risk, accurate evaluation of the contralateral breast at the time of primary diagnosis is essential to reduce both time and cost to the patient. Traditionally, breast MRI has been used to evaluate the breast for both ipsilateral (originally diagnosed) and contralateral disease; however, Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) is a 3-D molecular breast imaging approach that has been found to be as sensitive as breast MRI in detecting index and additional cancer in the ipsilateral breast with improved specificity.

source: PR Newswire

GE Healthcare Announces FDA Clearance of MR Systems Optima MR360 and Brivo MR355 to Address Demand for Productivity, Versatility and Value

WAUKESHA, WI MARCH 3, 2011—GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) today announced FDA clearance of Optima™ MR360 1.5 tesla and Brivo™ MR355 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance systems addressing the demand for productivity, versatility and value. Approximately 180 systems have been ordered by hospitals and imaging centers worldwide.

The Optima MR360 is an application-rich 1.5 Tesla MR system that can help improve imaging productivity and help offset ownership costs. It is engineered around a high-definition platform that includes remarkable flexibility and efficiency to deliver benefits on many levels: technologists benefit from ease of use; radiologists benefit from consistent high quality; administrators benefit from satisfied patients, and efficient throughput.

The system delivers outstanding value with the benefits of a GE ecomagination product. Its footprint is 20 percent smaller than other fully body 1.5T systems, and it can consume up to 34 percent less power than previous generation systems, potentially saving up to 60,000 kWh per year.

The Brivo MR355, also recently cleared by the FDA, makes the diagnostic benefits of high-performance MR technology easy and accessible. It combines simplification technology with low total cost of ownership.

Using an uncompromised magnet, the Brivo MR355 features a 48 cm field-of-view. It also features the OpTix technology, and the embedded Express coil.

source: GE Healthcare