Medical Product Guide» Radiology products

Applied Precision Installs New DeltaVisionOMX(R) Super-Resolution Imaging System In The Light Microscopy Imaging Center At Indiana University

Jim Marino — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:04:16 +0000

Applied Precision, along with Indiana University, are excited to announce the installation of a new DeltaVisionOMX imaging system in the Light Microscopy Imaging Center in Bloomington, Indiana. The DeltaVision|OMX is a ground-breaking, three dimensional, super-resolution microscopy system that more than doubles the optical resolution of traditional light microscopy. This super-resolution capability is especially important to cell biologists and microbiologists seeking to study objects and events that lie beyond the limits of conventional microscopy methods.

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3-D In Angiography, New Imaging Software From Siemens Simplifies Workflow For Minimally Invasive Heart Valve Implantation

Jim Marino — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 08:50:13 +0000

At the congress of the European Societey of Cardiology (ESC) 2010, Siemens will present new image processing software that helps cardiologists and cardiac surgeons perform transcatheter aortic valve implantations (TAVI): Syngo Aortic ValveGuide automatically reconstructs a 3D representation of the aortic root from CT-like cross-sectional images acquired with the angiography system. The software selects anatomical landmarks as the coronary ostia, for instance, and overlays the 3D image with two-dimensional images acquired during live fluoroscopy.

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The Safety Aspect of an X-Ray Technician’s Job

Jim Marino — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:38:48 +0000

It’s something that most of us have gone through at some point or the other; while we’re initially awed by the size of the machine, we soon realize that having an X-ray taken is a painless procedure that is over in a matter of minutes. What we don’t see however, is the invisible harm caused by the radiation that pours into our bodies in the fraction of a second that we are exposed to the rays. While a few X-rays don’t cause too much damage, there is the possibility of repercussions in the long-term if we undergo the procedure too many times. So this begs the question – how safe are X-ray technicians who are in the vicinity of these machines day in and day out, every day of their working lives?

Yes, X-ray technicians are at risk, but only if they don’t follow the basic safety precautions. In general, if you’re working an X-ray machine all day, here’s what you need to do to stay safe in the both the long and short run:

Know the settings of your device and operate them correctly at all times.
Understand the acceptable limits of exposure to radiation and act accordingly.
Understand the capabilities and limitations of the machine you are working with, whether it is fixed or portable.
Since the machine is bulky and requires movement of the heavy arm, ensure that you’re in the right position when making the necessary adjustments. This helps prevent aches and pains and other side effects associated with bad posture.
Don’t be careless with activating and deactivating the machine – both patient and your personal safety hinge on this factor since overexposure could lead to dangerous side effects for both.
Use the right safety equipment to protect yourself against radiation. Ensure that your safety equipment is in good working condition before you start your job each morning.
Check for the viability and preparedness of safety equipment on the machine (warning lights and timers) and those for personal use (shields, lead aprons).
If a lead apron is required for a procedure but is not available, move behind a wall or other impenetrable and thick object.
Use an electronic personal dosimeter to monitor personal radiation exposure to ensure that you are always within the safe exposure limits.
Wear gloves, goggles and/or a mask as and when required.
Ensure that your machine is well maintained and clean and sterile so that patients are not affected any more than they already are.

The safety of an X-ray technician lies in their own hands – if they are careless, they end up on the losing side.

By-line:

This guest post is contributed by Kathy Wilson, who writes on the topic of x ray technician school programs . She welcomes your comments at her email id: kathywilson1983@gmail.com

New Imaging System To Monitor Transplanted Tissue Health Developed Using Color-Coded Mice

Jim Marino — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 09:01:11 +0000

Using lab mice genetically bred to express immune cell proteins in different fluorescent colors, researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) have developed a new imaging system that differentiates protective and destructive T-cells. This has enabled them to assess the health of transplanted tissue by visualizing immune cell responses in real time.

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Merge Healthcare Releases Updated DICOM Toolkit

Jim Marino — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:10:36 +0000

Merge Healthcare has announced the release of MergeCOM-3(TM) Version 3.9, which adds the latest DICOM standard supplements to its industry-leading DICOM toolkit. Medical imaging software developers depend on MergeCOM-3 to jump start product innovation by providing much of the code needed to incorporate the DICOM standard. This standard is the basic “language” by which all medical imaging devices and systems communicate, and it is constantly improving to match the clinical needs of the industry. Version 3.9 contains support for important new standard supplements for nuclear medicine, pathology and ophthalmology.

Gyrus ACMI launches Smith™ Digital IPN

Jim Marino — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:14:03 +0000

Gyrus ACMI, an Olympus Company, has launched the Smith™ Digital Percutaneous Nephroscope (IPN). The device uses an ultra-miniature 1 mm complementary metal oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) imaging sensor. Now, one can do away with bulky external video accessories. A single connection for true “plug & play” digital technology has reduced the number of components. This will not only make it simple, but also bring down maintenance and ownership costs of the device. The Smith™ Digital Nephroscope is much lighter as compared to the traditional fiber optic percutaneous nephroscopes because of its integrated digital technology, which makes it beneficial for surgeons.

Dilon Technologies receives CE Marking for high-resolution gamma camera

Jim Marino — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:52:49 +0000

Dilon Technologies has received CE Marking for its Dilon 6800 gamma camera. The high-resolution gamma camera enables molecular imaging of the breast and other small organs for early cancer detection. It performs breast-specific gamma imaging, a technique that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake.

Varian Medical gets 510(k) nod for RapidArc

Melissa Chang — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 18:09:34 +0000

Varian Medical Systems has received an FDA 510(k) approval for its RapidArc radiotherapy technology, which makes it possible to deliver image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) two to eight times faster and more precisely than is possible with conventional IMRT or helical tomotherapy.

RapidArc delivers a complete IMRT treatment in a single rotation of the treatment machine around the patient. The two FDA clearances for RapidArc cover the treatment hardware and the RapidArc treatment planning software module in Varian’s Eclipse treatment planning system. Varian will begin taking orders for RapidArc immediately, and will begin delivering it to customers in the spring of 2008.

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Digital radiology (DR) vs. computed radiology (CR) vs. film

Melissa Chang — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:48:26 +0000

The debate among digital radiology (DR), computed radiology (CR) and film doesn’t seem to be letting up. How long will film hang on and is it worth the cost to upgrade to the new equipment that is now available? That seems to be the question that everyone is trying to answer in deciding what the next piece of radiographic equipment to purchase.

DOTmed.com is featuring a Sector Report on just these issues, as well as an analysis of the pros and cons of both types of equipment, and a cost summary of the various options.

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