Mednovus Ferromagnetic Detection Systems Now Available Through Siemens Medical

Leucadia, CA, October 30, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Mednovus, Inc., has teamed with Siemens Medical Solutions’ Accessory Division for the distribution of the Mednovus SAFESCAN® hand-held Target Scanner™ and pass-through MRI Sentinel® ferromagnetic detection systems.

Siemens, one of the world leaders in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, is now featuring the Mednovus MRI ferromagnetic screening products in their catalogue of MRI accessories.

The Mednovus products, designed to help identify materials that can be drawn toward an MRI’s magnet with life-threatening force, are a critical part of pre-screening patients, visitors, and staff before they approach the MRI system.

Ferromagnetic detection systems, such as the Mednovus products, have been recommended by accrediting bodies, such as the American College of Radiology (ACR) and the Joint Commission, patient safety groups and industry experts in MRI safety.

source: Press Release

West VA University Study Calls for New Method of Stroke Diagnosis

MORGANTOWN, W. Va., Oct 29, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- A study conducted by a team of stroke experts from the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center demonstrates that CT (computed tomography) perfusion imaging may dramatically improve stroke diagnosis. The study showed CT perfusion had 100 percent accuracy for detecting the large, devastating type of stroke. If adopted, this advancement in stroke detection will mean dramatically faster diagnosis time -- less than half the time of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening -- and will enable physicians to provide more accurate and targeted care, thereby avoiding potentially life-threatening complications that can occur when "clot buster" (thrombolytic) drug therapy is used inappropriately.

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Each year, 780,000 Americans will fall victim to stroke and, sadly, more than 150,000 lives will be lost. The cost associated with stroke care is estimated to be $65 million and growing.

source: MarketWatch

FDA advisory panel today with Bayer, GE Healthcare on imaging biomarkers in Alzheimer’s will affect disease modification drug trials

Bayer, GE Healthcare and Avid Radiopharmaceuticals will meet with the FDA advisory panel today to discuss the development of new imaging markers for use in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The Advisory Committee Meeting is aimed at providing specific recommendations based on clinical utility towards the design of Phase III diagnostic imaging studies in AD.

Two defining features of Alzheimer’s disease in the brain are amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, or tau. The plaques contain a protein called amyloid-beta, while the tangles are made of a protein called tau. The current, widely accepted amyloid hypothesis traces Alzheimer’s to plaque deposits, whereas the tau hypothesis links the disease to protein abnormalities.

There are some key concerns before approval of these imaging agents, several key opinion leaders said, including the validation of the binding properties of these new imaging agents to beta-amyloid, a key structural hallmark of this neurological disorder.

source: Financial Times

New MRI Technique May Identify Cervical Cancer Early

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a special vaginal coil, a technique to measure the movement of water within tissue, researchers may be able to identify cervical cancer in its early stages, according to a new study being published in the November issue of Radiology.

The new technique offers better imaging of smaller tumors and may also improve surgical options when fertility-sparing procedures are being considered.

"Small lesions are often difficult to image, but imaging their full extent is important in surgical planning," said study author Nandita deSouza, F.R.C.R., professor and co-director of the Cancer Research UK Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research Group at The Institute of Cancer Research in London, U.K. "By adding this technique to image the diffusion, or movement, of water within tissue, we can improve the accuracy of detecting small tumors."

source: RSNA

Innovation and Integration Unite. Siemens Molecular CT Takes the Lead in the Evolution of Diagnostic Imaging

MUNICH, Germany, Oct 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Biograph mCT integrates HDA-PET technology with premium CT for faster scans, better diagnostic confidence and greater patient comfort
.
Continuing its leadership in molecular imaging innovation, Siemens Healthcare ( www.siemens.com/healthcare) introduces Biograph mCT at the European Association of Nuclear Medicine conference in Munich, Germany. Biograph mCT is the only integrated imaging device to offer routine, whole-body PET scanning in just five minutes, and enables both molecular imaging and radiology to take advantage of its large bore capacity, ultra high-definition technology, combining HDA-PET and time-of-flight, and advanced CT capabilities with up to 128 slices, a first in integrated imaging.

"Siemens is pleased to offer a powerful new platform in integrated imaging today," said Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer, Molecular Imaging, Siemens Healthcare. "For institutions looking for cutting-edge technology, the greatest level of patient care and maximum return on investment, Biograph mCT offers the complete solution: PET with unlimited CT capabilities, CT with 'molecular resolution,' and all of a customer's molecular imaging and radiology needs in one system."

source: Marketwatch

Luna Innovations Receives Funding for Brain Cancer Diagnostic Agent Using Nanotechnology

(ROANOKE, VA, Oct 7, 2008) Luna Innovations Incorporated (NASDAQ: LUNA) announces an award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to improve the detection and diagnosis of brain tumors. Under this program, Luna will adapt its exclusive contrast agent technology using carbon nanospheres to produce an improved magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agent. This next-generation contrast agent will be designed to enhance tumor imaging and advance the diagnosis and treatment of this disease by directing nanomolecules to seek out specific biological targets, such as a glioblastoma tumor, one specific form of brain cancer.

MRI is critical for the diagnosis and evaluation of many forms of brain and other cancers. "Primary malignant brain tumors cause 13,000 deaths in the United States annually and survival rates following therapeutic intervention are among the lowest compared to other cancers,” stated Robert Lenk, President of Luna’s nanoWorks division. “The work we are doing with NIH allows us the opportunity to build on our existing contrast agent platform of carbon nanomedicines and ultimately improve the detection and diagnosis of these high risk brain tumors."

source: Luna Innovatons

Medicare Panel Doubts Effectiveness of PET Scans for Broader Cancer Detection

by Astrid Fiano, Writer

A U.S. Medicare Advisory panel on Evidence Development and Coverage has determined that the current clinical data for nine conditionally approved cancer indications of Fluoro-D-Glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET), are too ambivalent to lift current restrictions and support further Medicare coverage.

The panel convened on August 20, 2008 to focus on the oncologic indications of FDG PET for nine cancers (brain, cervical, small cell lung, ovarian, pancreatic, testicular, prostate, bladder and kidney). The panel reviewed the scientific evidence of the impact of PET as part of a management strategy to improve patient-centered outcomes. The panel also considered data generated in accordance with a prior national coverage determination to cover PET for specified cancers.

source: DOTmed News

Breast MRI scan could determine need for radiation therapy

SEATTLE -- For women whose breast cancer has spread to their lymph nodes, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan could replace exploratory surgery as the method for determining whether those women need radiation therapy to treat their disease, according to a study to be presented during the annual meeting of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) which opens today in Boston.

In a retrospective study of 167 patients who underwent radiation therapy for invasive breast cancer after surgical staging of their tumors, physician researchers at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and University of Washington Medical Center found that the tumors' physiological information shown on MRI scans correlated with surgically based findings of cancer having spread to lymph nodes. This suggests that breast MRI could help determine if women scheduled to undergo surgery will later need radiation therapy and how much.

source: Seattle Cancer Sare Alliance

CT Scans Change Treatment Plans in More Than a Quarter of ER Patients with Suspected Appendicitis

CT scans change the initial treatment plans of emergency physicians in over ¼ of patients with suspected appendicitis, according to a study performed at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

During the study 100 adult patients admitted to the ER for symptoms of appendicitis were evaluated. The treatment plans of these patients were assessed before and after CT and compared. Results showed that “treatment plans changed in 29% of patients as a result of CT. In many instances, CT ruled out appendicitis when the treatment plan prior to the scan was surgical consultation, eliminating the potential for unnecessary surgery on patients with a normal appendix,” according to Robert O. Nathan, MD, lead author of the study.

“The data suggest that CT can be withheld in patients in whom emergency clinicians rate the likelihood of appendicitis as unlikely but that CT findings are often of benefit when appendicitis is judged to be very likely,” said Dr. Nathan.

source: ARRS

Preventing Infection in MRI

Healthcare- and community- associated infections are a major and growing
problem in the United States as well as throughout the world.
Healthcare associated infections (HAI’s) constitute a major public health
problem in the United States affecting 5 to 10 percent of hospitalized patients
annually, resulting in approximately 2 million cases of HAI’s , 90,000 deaths
and adding $4.5 to $5.7 billion in healthcare costs1,2.

Most patients with serious infections typically have some type of imaging
procedure performed during the course of their treatment. Radiology
departments and outpatient imaging centers must take appropriate action to
assure patients that their MRI scanner is not a significant hub for
microorganisms capable of causing infectious diseases. However, for a
multitude of reasons, MRI suites often lack the most basic of safeguards
against infection, where, due to its unique environment, it is extremely
difficult to implement and maintain an effective infection control policy.
Because of the dangers from extremely strong magnetic fields 3, as
demonstrated by a well-publicized patient death from an accident in an MRI
4,5, housekeeping staff and most cleaning equipment are usually prohibited
from entering the MRI suite. The resultant lack of thorough cleaning was
clearly demonstrated in a recent study from Ireland that cultured MRSA
from within the bore of the MRI system6.

complete article and video at: Patient Comfort Systems

GE Healthcare Unveils Signa MRI Oncology Package at ASTRO

BOSTON, SEPTEMBER 21, 2008 – GE Healthcare is launching today its new Signa Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Oncology Package at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology’s 50th annual meeting in Boston.

The Signa MRI Oncology Package, a dedicated oncology solution, enhances magnetic resonance imaging for radiation therapy planning and is compatible with the most widely used GE MRI systems. The package consists of a detachable flat-surface patient table with indexed edges, flexible surface coils for high resolution imaging and treatment positioning aids.

“MRI is widely considered the modality of choice for imaging brain, spine and other soft tissue tumors,” said Bryan Van Meter, MRI global marketing manager for surgical and radiation oncology at GE Healthcare. “We are committed to providing radiation oncologists and cancer centers with the tools to easily integrate high-definition MRI imaging into their treatment plans.”

source: GE Healthcare

Siemens Announces Study Results of New Imaging Biomarker

Moving personalized medicine from promise to practice, Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) announces the early study findings of a new imaging biomarker for hypoxic tumors. The study, done in collaboration with Dr. Jian Q. (Michael) Yu, and Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, was presented today at the World Molecular Imaging Conference in Nice, France. This imaging biomarker is intended for exclusive world wide distribution by PETNET Solutions, a fully owned Siemens subsidiary.

The results of the safety study indicated that HX4, a new imaging biomarker developed at Siemens Molecular Imaging Biomarker Research, is safe for use in human positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies. The study included initial human data regarding bio-distribution of the new agent, radiation dosimetry levels in normal volunteers and optimal patient imaging parameters with PET. Results of the study indicated that the compound was found to be stable for imaging at 145 minutes post injection, that it would safely clear the body through urinary elimination and that there were very low dose accumulations in major organs.

source: Siemens Healthcare

Medicsight Announces American College of Radiology Imaging Network ("ACRIN") Trial Shows CT Colonography Now an Option for Colon Cancer Screening

NEW YORK, Sept 23, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Medicsight PLC, a subsidiary of MGT Capital Investments, Inc. (Amex: MGT), and an industry leader in the development of Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) and image analysis software, today announced that the National U.S. Computerized Tomography (CT) Colonography Trial (ACRIN study 6664), shows CT colonography was able to detect 90% of asymptomatic patients with colonic polyps or cancers of 10mm and larger, compared with the gold standard examination of optical colonoscopy. The results are expected to lead to wider adoption of CT colonography (also known as CTC) as a routine screening examination for colorectal cancer.

David Sumner, CEO of Medicsight, commented: "We are delighted with the results of this study, which confirms our belief in CTC as a non-invasive alternative to optical colonoscopy for the screening of colon cancer. The level of sensitivity that can be achieved for the detection of polyps is extremely high, and because of its non-invasive nature we believe there will be a greater uptake of this type of screening in the future for those at greatest risk of developing colon cancer. CTC will undoubtedly improve the diagnostic and treatment options of patients with this devastating disease. We predict that Medicsight's ColonCAD product will be a direct beneficiary of this trend towards utilizing CTC as the colon cancer screening modality of choice."

source: MGT

Results Of The National CT Colonography Trial Raise Questions For Patients

Results of the National CT Colonography Trial, published in the September 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, show improvements in the technology's ability to diagnose intermediate- to large-sized polyps in the colon, but this method of testing is not as effective in diagnosing small polyps. CT colonography is one of several colorectal cancer screening options. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) encourages patients to speak to their doctor about the screening method that is best for them.

"Colorectal cancer is largely preventable and curable when diagnosed in its early stages. Screening saves lives. Unfortunately, far too few people undergo screening for colorectal cancer. Any advances that result in increased screening of the population are encouraging," said ASGE President John L. Petrini, MD, FASGE. "The results of this trial may prompt those who otherwise would have avoided being tested, to get screened for colorectal cancer. With so many different options to screen for colorectal cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor and discuss which screening method is best for you. Each screening option has appropriate applications and limitations."

source: Medical News Today

PET Scans Lead to Treatment Changes in Majority of Colorectal Cancer Patients

Reston, Va.—In the largest multi-institutional study to date examining the impact of positron emission tomography (PET) in changing disease management of individuals with suspected recurrent colorectal cancer, researchers found that treatment plans were changed for more than half of patients, according to an article in the September issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

The study was conducted at four sites throughout Australia and comprised 191 patients who were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of symptomatic patients who had residual structural lesions suspicious for recurrent tumor after initial therapy. Group B comprised patients with pulmonary or hepatic metastases that were potentially operable. These results were compared with findings from conventional imaging (such as computed tomography or CT), and participants were followed for 12 months.

source:SNM

PTB Unites Magnetic Resonance And Radar Technology In One Prototype

Don't move a muscle! Patients certainly have to take this request to heart if they have to lie in a magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) device otherwise movement artefacts result on the images produced by the MRT. These are distorting elements in the image which show the movement of the body, but not the body itself. Movement is a disturbing factor which leads to blurring and "ghosting" in the MRT image. Patients, however, have to have not only a lot of patience but also endurance, as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test can take up to 30 minutes. But even if the patient does not move once during the whole time, movement artefacts cannot be ruled out. Some parts of the body are always moving for example the lungs expand when you breathe in and the chest goes up and down. The movement of the heart muscle also leads to distortions in the image as it changes shape during the pumping cycle. With the aid of an ultra-broadband radar device, these vital movements during measurement can be taken into consideration and the MRI measurements can be corrected. The joint use of both technologies is being tested with the aid of a prototype developed at the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Germany's national metrology institute), which arose in co-operation with Ilmenau University of Technology. This project is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, the German Research Foundation) in the frame of a priority programme running for six years.

source: Medical News Today

Routine Use Of MRI Scans To Evaluate Breast Cancer Challenged By Study

A new study suggests women with newly-diagnosed breast cancer who receive an MRI after their diagnosis face delays in starting treatment and are more likely to receive a mastectomy. The study, presented at the 2008 ASCO Breast Cancer Symposium, also shows that despite lack of evidence of their benefit, the routine use of MRI scans in women newly diagnosed increased significantly between 2004 and 2005, and again in 2006.

"We have yet to see any evidence that MRI improves outcomes when used routinely to evaluate breast cancer, and yet more and more women are getting these scans with almost no discernable pattern," said Richard J. Bleicher, M.D., F.A.C.S., a specialist in breast cancer surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center. "For most women, an MRI scan prior to treatment is unnecessary. MRI can be of benefit because it's more sensitive, but with the high number of false positives and costs associated with the test, more studies are needed to determine whether MRI can improve outcomes in women with breast cancer."

source: Medical News Today

3T MRI Leads to Better Diagnosis for Focal Epilepsy

3T MRI is better at detecting and characterizing structural brain abnormalities in patients with focal epilepsy than 1.5T MRI, leading to a better diagnosis and safer treatment of patients, according to a recent study conducted at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. “Patients with focal epilepsy have recurrent seizures that result from a specific area of their brain, usually due to a structural brain abnormality,” said Bronwyn E. Hamilton, MD, senior author of the study.

3T MRI detected 65 of 74 cases, compared to 55 of 74 cases detected by 1.5T MRI; lesions were accurately characterized in 63 of 74 cases using 3T MRI, compared to 51 of 74 cases using 1.5T MRI. “Detection refers to lesions that were found and characterization refers to how accurately we were able to determine what type of abnormality the lesion was, such as tumor versus vascular malformation versus congenital deformity,” said Dr. Hamilton.

soyrce: ARRS

Study Finds Portable CT Significantly Reduces Cost and Improves Care of ICU Patients

DANVERS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--According to a Cleveland Clinic study published in the March/April issue of the Journal of the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators, NeuroLogica’s CereTom® Portable Head/Neck multi-slice CT Scanner was found to have a dramatic economic and clinical benefit while imaging Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.

The study, conducted by Thomas Masaryk M.D., Department Chair of Diagnostic Radiology at Cleveland Clinic, and colleagues, concluded that portable head/neck CT scanning:

1. Provided significant savings in terms of cost and time while providing clinicians with diagnostic images equivalent to that of their fixed full body scanners

2. Allowed the fixed conventional scanner to be dedicated for a greater number of outpatient studies by eliminating the bottleneck of time-intensive ICU patients

3. Eliminated clinical dangers associated with the transport of critically ill patients

The researchers based their results on 502 scans performed on ICU patients over a 4 month period.

source: Business Wire

More MRI and CT machines, more exams performed (Canada)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conventional MRI And Computer Analysis Could Be Used To Detect Alzheimer's

Researchers using conventional, as opposed to high powered MRI equipment, and computer- based methods to analyze the scans, are breaking new ground in the diagnosis of the telltale signs of Alzheimer's Disease, increasing the likelihood that there will be reliable ways of diagnosing the disease non-invasively and before it is too late to do something about it.

Three studies, one on successful use of conventional MRI to image brain plaques in animals, and two on using computers to analyze MRI images, are being presented at the Alzheimer's Association's 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD 2008), which is taking place in Chicago from 26th to 31st July.

source: Medical News Today

Positive Phase I Safety Results for BFPET

FluoroPharma Inc., a company developing breakthrough molecular imaging agents for the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) market, announced positive Phase I results for BFPET, its novel Fluorine-18 labeled tracer for myocardial perfusion imaging.

BFPET is FluoroPharma’s second cardiovascular product to complete Phase I clinical development.BFPET is a PET imaging agent, designed to assess the blood flow in the heart (myocardial perfusion). Myocardial perfusion imaging is a standard test to assess coronary artery disease (CAD), with more than 9 million Americans undergoing the test annually. The Phase I trial, led by Principal Investigator Alan J. Fischman, MD, PhD at the Massachusetts General Hospital, was designed to evaluate safety, distribution and dosimetry of BFPET in 12 healthy subjects following a single dose injection at rest.

“BFPET Phase I data demonstrates that the agent has a favorable dosimetry and pharmacokinetics profile and is well tolerated. All safety endpoints were achieved with no adverse events and no clinically significant changes noted in follow-up clinical and laboratory testing”, said Dr. Fischman, Professor of Radiology at Harvard Medical School. “Biodistribution results indicate fast blood clearance, rapid and stable myocardial uptake and high heart to background ratios.”

source: Fluoropharma