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Archive for the ‘Devices’ Category

somo•v ABUS system, from U-Systems has been sanctioned by Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada for ancillary diagnostic approach with mammography.

 

U-Systems – the market leader in automated breast ultrasound technology has been authorized with medical device license by the Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada, recently, ratified on basis of clinical evidence.

somo•v ABUS system has now become sole ultrasound equipment for breast cancer screening across European Union countries.

The company can now market and sell its registered brand – somo•v® Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) system as an appendage to mammography for breast cancer cases (symptomatic/asymptomatic), in Canada.

Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada is responsible for evaluating medical device safety, efficacy and quality; somo•v ABUS system has been one, solely approved by the agency.

FDA has even sanctioned the somo•v ABUS system in the US for ancillary diagnostic approach with mammography.

Elated with the approval, Ron Ho (President and CEO, U-Systems) now is up to make the technology available for breast cancer patients, in Canada, for better diagnosis and treatment.

He said, somo•v Automated Breast Ultrasound System has not been devised to substitute mammography, but the combined efforts of ultrasound & mammography will be utilized for enhanced cancer detection, than mammography alone.

The technology is ideally fit for high-volume set-ups; somo•viewer™ (3D workstation) facilitates for swift review and storage of patient exams, to optimize workflow.

U-Systems has even patronized national SOMO•INSIGHT Clinical Study, to assess feasibility of the combination – digital mammography with somo•v Automated Breast Ultrasound System over routine mammogram for breast cancer detection, in women.

More than 15,000 female subjects partook in the clinical study, and it recognized considerable amount of patients that showed negative on mammogram, but recognized well through ABUS system.

With unrestrained market of medical apps, FDA has geared up to keep a close watch on these mobile-friendly interface.

 

Preciseness and authorization is vital for health related apps – the synergistic tools and information sources accessible through Smartphones and other handheld equipment. (Courtesy: The Washington Post)

Currently, about 17,000 medical apps in the market operate mostly unrestrained by federal negligence, which are easy to users, from nutrition tips to ultrasound imaging, and so.

FDA has recently declared to keep a close check on some of these apps, especially those that do not work properly, and pose risk; and others, which are employed as mobile extensions, of standard medical equipment the agency already controls; the agency has even submitted suggested rules for medical apps, which the common users can remark on, till October 19, 2011. Meanwhile, readers can go through the gallery of National Library of Medicine, for existent health/medical apps etc.

Read, how home medical equipment have become common interest to most of population, in the US: a survey report!

 

Home medical devices/remote monitoring systems, it seems have turned up to be huge hit with Americans, corroborated through a recent poll conducted by GfK Roper Consulting, speaking for Practice Fusion, San Francisco based company, into EMR/EHR solutions; half of the American population survive with some or the other form of chronic disorders, inclusive of majority of old aged men/women. (Courtesy: Healthcare IT News, HIMSS)

Patients, with chronic disorders and otherwise, were found more interested in doctors/physicians monitoring them through with remote medical equipment; home medical devices enable patients to live in an independent manner, doing up with chronic conditions that they have; electronic health records act as a bridge to connect these medical devices to doctors/physicians and patients.

Home medical equipment are affordable to many, all thanks to the technology, but due to improper EHR connection with that to the physician network, these devices are not being optimized the effective way, for usage at many times; proper device connectivity is vital for remote medical assistance to patients, from the care providers.

Though interest for these equipment varied per age, but majority of population through the survey had the same opinion that utilization of home medical devices would enhance healthcare outcomes; most showed their interest for home medical equipment; surprisingly, in contrast to about 41% women, 52% men were in favor of home monitoring devices.

The company (Practice Fusion) has started inviting companies that are into home medical equipment, to merge through to its EMR Technology and application programming interface.

For more on technology medical equipment, and Health IT market trends, stay equipped with MedicExchange!

The demand at Healthcare sector vary from tech supported imaging equipment, to training sessions for in-house staff, and more! What do you want, today?

 

Healthcare Sector

X-ray/electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength is extensively used in healthcare sector for medical diagnosis and treatment analysis; x-ray scans are always required to be done with supervision of doctor, or through reference of primary care physicians; proper training of in-house staff/employees in working with x-ray equipment is vital, so as to keep away from harmful radiation exposure, and other fatalities.

Inadequately trained technicians – with incompetence to work effectively with radiologic imaging equipment can bring in grave consequences, during the practice, and this may put in the healthcare organization under wrong frame.

It is now easy for healthcare organizations, to get their staff members/technicians get effectively trained on radiology equipment usage, and proper maintenance; there are companies available in the domain that have well devised training programs, suited for every other department in a care facility, whether that is training of PACS, an EMR, or X-ray radiographic equipment, to name a few. Stay away from medical errors, through software/equipment usage and operations, every day, and make your employees more competent through with training sessions.

MedicExchange is occupied in business with some of top-notch market-players in diagnostic medical equipment and all healthcare related supplies, and care units that want to avail tech-supported equipment and solutions, reasonably, should not think any further, and can benefit through us, software equipment solutions and services – all at a hand’s distance!

Low budget/minimal resource, nothing should restrain you, as many care providers (hospitals/clinics) gained an edge through adoption of hi-tech equipment from companies that are into healthcare devices and accessories.

So, no matter what sort of product or brand you are in search of, just make through us, for a few moment, and get to take back the solution of life time, to restructure your care unit, for better outcomes.

MedicExchange has so much for you to explore on; so, do not stop, and stay attuned for everything – Health IT product solutions, services, and lots more!

FDA approved first Mobile Radiology App for iPhone®/iPad®, for clinicians and radiologists in remote locations.

Mobile MIM is effective for results of MRI, CT, and PET on mobile devices for diagnosis.

• It is applicable for other modalities as well, viz. fluoroscopy, angiography, ultrasound etc.
• Due to small size, it is not application friendly to Radiographs, for to attain resolution/contrast required to view an X-Ray.
• The portable device extends forth multi touch user interface with medical grade displays.

*(News Courtesy: RSNA)*

It took about 2 years for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve mobile diagnostic radiology application for iPhone®/iPad®, for radiologists, away from clinical workstations.

Mobile radiology app facilitates radiology images taken in care units to be compacted for ensured network transfer, to be sent through portable wireless devices. Though individual facilities have built up similar application for their utility, FDA has not yet sanctioned those, aimed for primary diagnosing, rather secondary viewing. The commendation of Mobile MIM from FDA has opened new avenues to similar devices from other companies, in the market.

FDA examined Mobile MIM’s operation on various devices, measured resolution, luminance noise versus international guidelines and standards. FDA ascertained that Mobile MIM allows for enough resolution quality to be utilized for medical diagnostics, when a full workstation is unavailable.

Though the application will be useful for remote reference/consultation, the technology will be particularly good for getting at subspecialty expertise, not other than available. The resident can confer with radiology on call professional, at any location.

But, some problems could not be kept off with of Mobile MIM, as for physicians that make remote diagnosis from a state in which they are not licensed to – it can bring up grave legal issues.

The full-body scanners that are deployed in airports are considered now to be grave for regular flyers, of probable skin cancer, due to repeated radiation exposure.

Transportation Security Administration in USA has deployed full-body scanners in airports last year. Many opposed it stating privacy and health concerns due to radiation exposure, but TSA opined the radiation beam through the scanners are harmless, as of low frequency.

Flying exposes more to ionizing radiation, as a flyer is vulnerable more to cosmic rays at altitude elevation, in comparison to the scanners that put up about 1% or so.

Across 78 airports in the US have around 486 scanners being deployed so far, and about 1000 are believed to be deployed by 2011. There are 2 different types of full-body scanners put in use, generally, where each of the scanners produce out detailed outline of person on scan, to recognize out if they carry any lethal weapons or have hidden anything illegal/non-permissible under their clothes.

Millimeter-wave scanners used at airports emit low energy waves same like of a cell phone we use in every –day practice, where the scanners incarnate the reflected energy.

The backscatter X-Ray scanners, which are also used use low-dose ionized radiation similar to that used in diagnostic medical imaging procedures. In contradiction to X-Ray, where the disparity in the transmission of the beam through the human body is made to produce out images, the backscatter scanner detects out radiation emitted off of the person, and when the emitted out radiation go through the air, the energy gets deposited to the skin tissue, which can lead to serious skin cancers etc.  on prolonged exposure.

Unlike millimeter-wave scanners, the backscatter X-ray scanner uses ionizing radiation, and severe exposure can pose more dangers to the individuals. With low-dosage exposure only biological damage occurs, as the cell continuously repairs this damage endlessly to mend over the impairment.  On the other, moderate dosage can be bit harmful, as it transform the cells permanently, and could lead to grave cancers and other birth-associated deformities/irregularities.

In every other case of low, moderate or high-dose exposures, risk is always associated – if the individual is made to pass for prolonged usage. Though security is vital, but more than that health always take first priority. For elaborated article (Courtesy: Archives of Internal Medicine) we direct you to the following link: http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/archinternmed.2011.105v1.pdf

Stay tuned with MedicExchange for more related Healthcare blogs and articles!

The highly mocked Transportation Security Administration (TSA) body scans in Airports for to detect out concealed weapons and other paved way for medical advancement, as new camera supported on the same technology (millimeter wave detection) has been identified out for easy detection of hidden skin cancers (Oncology) and related.

The camera is researched out by Dr. Reza Zoughi of Missouri University of Science and Technology, which uses millimeter wave & microwave radio signals for to look into body structures through the sensors/detectors, akin to similar ways that other machines are used by TSA at airports for to sneak a quick look inside garments for masked weapons, and other. The new camera (Medical Equipment) is portable and backed up by battery through a laptop for display support and easy operation, where it is capable for to generate real-time digitally focused images with a speed up to 30 images per second.

The invention from Dr. Zoughi has unlimited applications, for to identify out defects in thermal insulating foam, which might have proved good for NASA prior the launch of discovery. The medical application is wide, as the technology can be used for to identify out cancerous skin lesions, and unlike X-ray, this new technology device is non-ionizing, as does not spoil soft tissues or sensitive materials on focus.

Battery operated – it can be put into practice with a lower power level, as well. Chances are there that the system will even be modified to be worked as hand-held video camera for to avert security issues, and for real-time 3-dimensional imagery in medical sphere.

(Courtesy: FastCompany)

More on other related articles, and Healthcare Blogs, stay tuned with MedicExchange!

For the avid readers that continued with their journey with MedicExchange might have got to see from some of our previous articles about the significance of medical equipment and supplies in the medical practice, for a Healthcare/Medicare provider, as to reiterate – from acute/critical care units to other, for every-day diagnostic imaging practice, care providers can be seen occupied with hi-tech medical imaging equipment at their Radiology care units, but it is a dead fact that apart from, than human skills and personal abilities, it is all about the sophisticated technology of the medical equipment that work wonders with the specialized hands of care provider.

So, think – if you do not have access to hi-tech medical equipment, but only the expertise, then how things will work for you? Of course, this would affect your productivity and efficiency, badly, and in turn show up through poor client/patient dissatisfaction and displeasure. Yes, this is no different story in the industry. Prior we decided to initiate this thread, we thought of few specialties/domains, to envisage how differently they (people work with it, or the technology) can perform without advance medical equipment and supplies, and our focus were Cath Lab, CAD Mammography, and Used cardiac ultrasound.

Well, before we move ahead – let us brush up together for a while on all the specialties: A catheterization lab, or the well-known term, Cath lab is an examination room just like you see in any healthcare facility centers, hospitals and clinics with varied diagnostic imaging equipments that are used for to support the catheterization process, which is nothing but the introduction of a catheter into the body – which usually is a flexible/thin tube that permits introduction and/or withdrawal of body fluids, and keep the passage open for other medical procedures through it. On the other CAD mammography works on grounds of Computer Aided Detection and analysis, where the computer-assisted technology aids the medical professional/care provider examine out breast tumors through mammography. And, on the front of cardiac ultrasound, the high-frequency sound waves help out to construct images of heart for the detection of heart deformities and disorders.

So, how productive can any medical professional/care provider be, if he/she has no access to hi-tech medical equipment and products to work with Cath procedures, CAD mammography, or cardiovascular ultrasound imaging and related other? Well, due to poor budget and resources, if you did not have access to advance quality, new-fangled medical equipment for your radiology practice, or other, then do not worry, as you can make the most through advance quality Used Cath Lab, Used CAD mammography, and Used cardiac ultrasound equipment and machines that are available to you now from some of top-notch companies, suppliers, manufacturers, dealers and distributors that cater to the increased demand of the healthcare sector through used and refurbished medical supplies. Yes, you heard it right, MedicExchange is occupied with all industry leaders that provide used and refurbished (reconditioned) Used Cath Lab equipment, Used CAD mammography systems, and used cardiac ultrasound equipment, and varied allied used and refurbished machines and systems for the enhanced productivity and efficiency of the care provider, for better healthcare outcomes, and greater patient satisfaction.

Thus, do not worry, as all your necessities for hi-tech and advance technology Used Cath Lab, Used CAD mammography, and used cardiac ultrasound equipment and machine will get satisfied, instantly through us. Hence, make the most of our user-friendly catalog for a safe and secure purchase, and sale, too! Yes, you can even sell your used medical equipment and machines through us, as there are companies available that will help you out with hospital liquidation as well of used medical equipment, supplies or parts that you want to sell out to avoid bankruptcy, to break even.

Therefore, for all your requirements, be with MedicExchange, and go out as a satisfied customer through the companies/suppliers that are available with us.

A new research study report that is available in the online Journal of Radiology proves the significance of Multidetector Computed Tomography for analyzing wounds in an effective way occurred due to bullets and explosive devices!

Researchers affirmed the importance of Multidetector Computed Tomography enhancing on patient care, aiding in civilian forensic/military investigative studies! Present clinical reports of wounds occurred due to bullets/explosives do not comprise the trajectory string, or route of the wound, regardless of the fact that ballistic injuries are not essentially impounded to any distinct anatomic structure.

Though the research has directed the importance of Computed Tomography (Radiology) in detecting out the path of ballistic wounds, there is no extensively conventional/approved method for precisely pinpointing wound paths, and to recognize out the trajectory/route angles! For the research study, the team assessed on the preciseness of Multidetector Computed Tomography based ballistic wound trajectory! A marksman for them made to shoot in simulated legs crafted utilizing on a variety of synthetic materials for to stand for real human tissue, the legs were skewed at various angles, on basis of common sniper distance/heights! After the work of marksman with the shots, the leg phantoms were scrutinized over with 64-channel Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT), and various radiologists reviewed, at their own the computed tomography images, and documented out the entrance and exit trajectories of the bullet shots! The angles gauged on MDCT matched up exactly with the one that was worked out from coordinates with real shooting angles!

The research study proved well for radiologists in precisely figuring out the location of a sniper/explosive device, by estimating the trajectories recognized out on MDCT, when other crucial factors like distance of the sniper and the position of victim are available! Team believes, the usage of MDCT would aid investigators in knowing the position of sniper and about the origination of the blast, as MDCT allows for identifying out the bullet/wound trajectory!

Adding further, the MDCT based measurement of wound trajectories and angles have other possible benefits, too, in crime scene examination, and in determining out the treatment of patients, assessing on wound path! Researchers further hope that this advancement in the technology will prove good to fatally wounded soldiers, as the technology allows for identifying out deep wounds/injuries, and will aid in correlating it with peripheral ballistics, in developing preventive plans to shun such fatal incidents!

Finally, on the concluding note, the team is now exploring more possibilities of MDCT in recognizing out wound path and trajectory in other regions of the body, viz. abdomen, head and chest etc.!

Recent studies that were carried out at the University of Washington, and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (Seattle, WA), and for which the results are available in the American Journal of Roentgenology prove that the usage of preoperative breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging can effectively identify out otherwise hidden cancer, with a comparatively high degree of precision, when applied to a variety of patients that are newly analyzed with breast cancer!

The research group took a sample of about 592 patients for the appraisal that were diagnosed out with breast cancer, which underwent cancer staging with preoperative breast MRI! The team analyzed on around 570 patients and calculated out their biopsy rates, general cancer yield and positive predictive values of biopsy, and assessed those utilizing on chi-square test over patient age, their breast mass, index tumor category, and, receptor and lymph node conditions!

After the successful trials, researchers analyzed out that preoperative breast MRI in newly diagnosed cancer (Oncology) patients resulted out in an increased cancer yield of about 12%, which is more than the normal cancer yield of around 0.08-6.7%, utilizing on high risk breast MRI screening! Medical researchers pointed out that the major strength of their research/study is their sample of about 570 patients, which is even bigger than their previous studies! Not like majority of their preoperative breast MRI, they believe their patient strength (the sample) proved enough for their research that shows the effectiveness of preoperative breast MRI in freshly diagnosed breast cancer patients, for effectively identifying out occult/hidden cancers!