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Archive for the ‘X-ray’ Category

High-energy (form of) radiation is quite common in diagnostic/medical imaging; yes, in care settings it is used for a wide range of medical applications, viz. to image different regions in the body, for cancer therapy, and other related.

 

Some of these modalities/devices use ionizing radiation for varied imaging and therapeutic approaches: standard X-ray/radiography, computed tomography, fluoroscopy, to name a few!

In case of computed tomography, body organs/parts are examined over, by getting scanned through X-ray for disorders/irregularities; a computer unit is used for cross sectional image (slices) construction, for detailed image interpretation and analysis.

On the other, in fluoroscopy (imaging method), real-time moving images/video of internal body structures are captured through a fluoroscope.

For patients with cancer/tumor, ionizing radiation is utilized for the therapeutic approach; cancerous cells can be destroyed through focused X-ray beams, from an imaging device!

All these (stated above) devices that involve ionizing radiation are beneficial for a variety of disorders/irregularities in patients, but more exposure to such every now and then can be fatal for individuals, in the long run.

The use of computed tomography, and other standard X-ray approaches have increased dramatically, for this and that; repeat exposure, and higher doses at times can have adverse side effects in patients, with some of the following – hair loss, skin burn/damage etc.!

Patients should be kept away from unnecessary examinations, the most possible; as this will limit them getting exposed more to such radiations, and they can have better quality of life.

Stay tuned with MedicExchange for blogs, news and stories from the healthcare/medical sector!

Have an insight, how radiocontrast medium help during various imaging procedures!

 

Radiocontrast agents (contrast medium) are generally barium/iodine compounds that are used in various x ray imaging techniques, to enhance visibility of interior body structures, for diagnostic/therapeutic approaches.

Quite common in Radiology imaging, iodine based contrast agents can be categorized as – ionic and non-ionic; iodinated contrast media is harmless, easily interacts with the body, during various imaging procedures.

Contrast agents are delivered through various means – in an intravenous manner, within arteries, within abdominal region, through the spinal canal, and so forth.

These radiocontrast agents, during CT and radiography produce specific effect – for visualization of vessels, tissue changes etc.! All present-day contrast agents (intravenous) are based on iodine; X-ray (density effect) is directly related to the amount of contrast agents that are being used during various imaging procedures.

To reiterate, iodine-based contrast agents are soluble in water, and safe to the human body; these contrast agents are used for some of the following – angiography (to examine blood/lymph vessels); for radiography of a vein (Venography); micturating cystourethrogram (for the anatomy of urethra and bladder); hysterosalpingogram (to diagnose patients with infertility); and intravenous pyelogram (for irregularities of the urinary system, inclusive of bladder, ureters and kidneys).

Other to iodinated contrast agents, barium sulphates (radiocontrast agents) – mixed with water, are generally swallowed, or administered as an enema, which gets eliminated out later through the body.

Healthcare organizations can use these contrast agents for high-performance diagnostic imaging, for detailed visualization of body structures; we are occupied with companies/vendors that deal in the segment of contrast agents; stay tuned with MedicExchange for data about radiocontrast media companies, injection systems and related, for enhanced medical interventions, to better health outcomes.

Have an overview, how computed tomography is a practicable approach for cardiac applications.

 

Computed tomography, is an imaging approach, where x-rays and computer unit are used for cross-sectional images (slices) of the body, for varied therapeutic/diagnostic approaches.

CT imaging is feasible for to identify, and to bar/rule out any disorder, or medical condition that any patient has; the technology involves ionizing radiation, and is always suggested to be used with caution for children and pregnant women.

Other than identification/diagnosis of disorders, and for irregularities, the technology is even widely used for to plan, guide and monitor therapy.

Computed tomography has applications in varied medical conditions; in case of coronary CT angiogram (cardiac CT), IV contrast agents are used for 3-dimensional high-resolution images of heart (in motion) and vessels.

The process is even referred to as multi-slice computed tomography; here the patient is placed on a motorized table, x-ray beam from the source is passed through the body of the patient, which is captured by the detector, opposite to the x-ray source; images from varied angles are collected in one rotation.

The imaged data is passed on to computer for 3-dimensional reconstruction, for cross-sectional slices (images) of the organ/tissues; through a coronary CTA, care providers can get to know about calcium deposits/plaque in arteries.

This non-invasive approach is feasible for patients that have coronary artery blockage; in contrast to cardiac catheterization, coronary CTA is comparatively faster and effective for the patients, but for coronary artery stenosis and related, coronary angiogram remains always the first approach.

If you require a computed tomography device today for various cardiac applications, at your specialized care facility, then we are here to help you out on it.

For more details about highest-quality medical imaging equipment, and top-notch vendors – stay connected with MedicExchange!

Now, you can even shop online for different types of health/medical equipment easily, through us; contact us for data about companies with their e-shops, available with us!

Aspire™ HD – full field digital mammography system from FUJIFILM is ‘all okay’ for the patients: FDA!

 

The industry leading company in diagnostic imaging products, FUJIFILM Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc. has got green signal from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its full field digital mammography system (Aspire™ HD).

The equipment with unmatched detector technology (dual layer of amorphous selenium; direct optical switching) is feasible for unusual imaging quality; now, imaging facilities can confidently go forward with this innovative product for enhanced breast mammography procedures.

The direct optical switching technology brings down the requirement of thin film transistors, which are presently used in full field digital mammography detector systems; direct image transfer ensues in better results – images are produced with less noise, and the technology trims down dose, during the process.

Exceptional image quality of the system ascertains for reliable and precise diagnosis, for potential irregularities, resulting in improved productivity and efficiency of clinicians.

The latest technological innovation from the company will surely make a difference in the way imaging facilities/care providers diagnose and treat their patients, to help patients fight cancer, for improved quality of life.

The company (Fujifilm) has more than 8000 FFDMs being installed all over the globe, and has both DR (digital radiography) and CR (computed radiography) based systems available in the healthcare market.

Stay connected with MedicExchange for more new innovations and stories from the medical imaging equipment market, and related!

You can get to acquire both new, as well as refurbished digital mammography machines and more, through many equipment vendors and suppliers, available with us, to restructure your care unit, for better health outcomes.

Mammography has been proved a vital diagnostic/screening tool for early detection of breast cancer; annual mammogram is recommended for women – 40+ years, and with family history!

 

Mammography is a diagnostic approach that uses X-ray to identify and locate breast tumors, and other irregularities of the breast; here breast tissues are examined for abnormalities that any women have in their breasts. Lumps, nipple discharge, pain are some of the symptoms that show out to irregularities in the female breast.

Two different types of mammographic approaches are in practice, viz. full-field digital mammography and screen-film mammography.

For women with no symptoms, mammography is a practicable approach for early detection of breast cancer, as they they get to treat it well in advance; better computer images are being made possible through full-field digital mammography that uses low-radiation dose for precise diagnosis of medical conditions of the breast.

The process is comfortable, and patients are less exposed to the radiation; mammography is significant in cancer detection, to ascertain condition of the breast, even before a lump is felt by a woman.

Medical/health associations over the globe have already suggested for annual mammograms, for women of 40 years and beyond, and others with family history that are at high-risk of getting affected of one.

Women with curable phase of cancer, when the tumor is small enough to be felt/recognized by, can benefit through a mammogram, but, since the technology involves ionizing radiation, pregnant women are always suggested by experts to check with their physicians, prior they go for one.

Regular mammogram, abiding with recommendations and screening guidelines of care providers is to be always considered, to be on the safer side.

For women that are perplexed about diagnostic performance of thermography, we reiterate, it is not a substitute for mammography, and not recommended even by U.S. Food & Drug Administration, and various medical associations.

Healthcare units that are devoid of technology for mammography screening can always opt for mammography imaging services, available easily from various companies.

Besides, for new and refurbished mammography devices (2D, 3D and related), they can always trust some of top-notch mammography equipment manufacturers that are available in the sector.

Stay affixed with MedicExchange for more details about suppliers and vendors that deal in mammography equipment, to benefit on.

The heterogeneous beam of x-rays has made radiography feasible for medical applications; an overview!

 

In radiography, image is produced on a radio-sensitive surface through radiation, other than the visible light; x-ray is used for to view cross-sectional regions of the human body; through the developed image – regions of varied composition and density can be ascertained, precisely.

X-ray beams that are passed through the body are captured by a detector, for two-dimensional structural representation; the diagnostic approach is feasible for to identify out shape, position and size of various organs, viz. liver, stomach, heart, kidneys etc.!

The technology is even common in dental practice, for conditions and disorders, as is used to capture images of following: teeth, alveolar bone, and the maxilla etc.

Radiography is used for various clinical approaches to image, subsequent – skull, neck, spine, abdomen, pelvis, thorax, sinuses, joints and extremities etc.

Since, the technology uses ionizing radiation, procedures on pregnant women and children always require caution, to keep them on the safer side. Contrast to plain film tomography, in computed tomography, computer-aided reconstruction is utilized for three-dimensional representation of the patient.

Stay connected with MedicExchange, for more on: X-ray, fluoroscopy, computed tomography and other imaging approaches, and to acquire new and refurbished imaging equipment and supplies, to restructure your care facility.

Spinal X-ray is safe, without any complexities of kidney damage and stroke: corroborates Johns Hopkins

 

Imaging experts at Johns Hopkins assessed patient data, of 302 women and men that required X-ray of blood vessels, about the spinal cord, which the patients were apprehensive about, but the process was found safe and effective for all the patients.

None of the participants shown up with any complexities (kidney damage, or stroke) that went through spinal digital subtraction angiography/SpDSA from 2000-2010 at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

SpDSA procedure (with a catheter tube) is usually performed to identify vascular disorders, after ruling out abnormalities through an MRI, and related.

The approach has been proved feasible for vascular disorders near/of the spinal cord, viz. tumor, aneurysm, fistula, stroke etc.

Philippe Gailloud (senior investigator and interventional neuroradiologist), giving reference to medical evidences, said – doctors/neurologists and patients can now confidently go ahead without worrying about intricacies from spinal angiography.

In comparison to previously done procedures that used to consume a lot of time, with twice as much toxic contrast agents required, current procedures are quick and safe to the patients, asserts Philippe Gailloud.

Spinal angiography, through the recent study was found practicable in precisely excluding cases of spinal inflammation/transverse myelitis, and related.

Patients that had been diagnosed/treated with steroids and related for spinal inflammation were later corroborated by SpDSA to have vascular deformity, instead. All were treated well for the spinal disorder they had, but nobody demonstrated any complexity, with this X-ray approach.

Since both the conditions show similar symptoms, patients that get diagnosed with transverse myelitis, with poor response to drugs/medication, and no improvement in their condition (spinal problem) can consider SpDSA to substantiate vascular deformity, said the researcher.

Now, without any reluctance – doctors can go ahead with spinal angiography to diagnose their patients, without worrying about intricacies that they feared is associated with it.

The medical researchers have even begun their study to evaluate people that have had SpDSA for intricacies after the procedure, and the result is expected soon, by 2012.

Angiography is a type of X-ray photography, where blood/lymph vessels are examined, after instilling the patient with radiopaque material/contrast media.

 

The diagnostic approach is extensively used for detailed visualization of heart chambers, arteries and veins; both digital subtraction (fluoroscopy method, interventional radiology), and conventional angiography are common, but the former (digital subtraction technology) is mostly used for various angiographic procedures.

Presently, MR angiography and CT angiography have taken over most of angiography procedures, where catheters, guidewires and the Seldinger technique is commonly used for to have access to blood vessels, and other related organs.

Diagnostic angiography is feasible for some of the following, viz. obstructive vascular disease, bleeding vessels, intracranial aneurysm, arteriovenous malformation, image-aided interventional procedures.

Since the technology uses ionizing radiation, the untoward effects are quite common with that of fluoroscopy; and prolonged exposure to such radiation can be fatal.

Hypersensitivity reactions through IV contrast agents are quite common with some of the patients; patients with renal disorders, congestive heart failure, multiple myeloma and related are refrained from having IV contrast administration.

Medical imaging equipment that uses ionizing radiation are cautiously considered for children, and not usually suggested by health professionals for pregnant women, to keep them on the safer side.

Radiation protection products are quite common in the healthcare domain, and there are many companies available with the technology; effective radiation therapy planning is the need of hour, and medical/health associations always recommend radiation safety program, for healthcare professionals to ensure both their and the safety of patients.

For radiation therapy planning software technology, and various other new and refurbished imaging modalities, stay connected with MedicExchange!

HDR-08A Imaging System for Kalare, from Toshiba America Medical Systems has authorization, now from the FDA

 

With advanced user interface, Kalare – digital x-ray imaging technology from Toshiba America Medical Systems is here for healthcare organizations to improve work-flow, for augmented staff productivity, and efficiency.

Enhancing the active range of fluoroscopy, the HDR-08A Imaging System for Kalare has same attributes like R&F technology, with more advanced image processing software attributes.

Clinicians through this new technology can acquire more image information – ensuing in swift, more precise diagnostic approaches; care providers with this HDR-08A Imaging System for Kalare can seamlessly go for various examinations, with self-assurance, to improve quality of patient care and treatment.

For more data and stories about x ray supplies and other related from industry leaders, stay affixed with MedicExchange!

Radiation safety is a matter of concern, and effective usage of radiation is to be ensured through safety initiatives and programs.

 

With x-ray and other imaging technologies in place, medical application of these have increased with patients, across the globe; age, sex and radiation dose are vital for radiotherapy, as improper means dealing with any such can bring in grave medical scenario.

Radiation safety is a matter of concern, in the healthcare domain; safe utilization of radiation emitting devices is the need of this hour, and many safety programs are in place from medical professional associations, and related; and the U.S. FDA is not behind, in one.

Professionals from the healthcare domain and public, in specific, are required to be updated of hazards associated with varied types of radiation through medical imaging equipment, and associated procedures.

Effective usage of radiation is to be ensured for each and every patient; healthcare organizations that have electronic medical records in place can easily track various imaging examinations on patients – through reserved patient history and all; this way the patients get saved of unnecessary/repeat examinations, thus keeping them less exposed to various radiations.

Relevant radiation dosage through appropriate imaging tool (relevant to the medical condition of the patient), at apposite time is to be ascertained, always; this saves cost and time for both healthcare organizations and the patients, and ensue in better health outcomes.

Medical professional associations always urge manufacturers that are into diagnostic imaging tools/equipment to ensure their devices are safe for the patients.

To keep a tab on unnecessary radiation exposure – technicians and other users of these medical imaging equipment at healthcare organizations require to be skilled and trained – this will ascertain both patients and the equipment users are safe of harmful radiation, the most possible manner.

Besides, patients have to be well acquainted of radiation risk, associated with the therapy they are going through; they should not mind checking with their care providers for alternative therapies, at any time, and this is even recommended by, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that approves medical devices and other, for applications in such.

Stay affixed with MedicExchange for more on radiation safety initiatives/programs, and for new and latest about Radiology imaging solutions.