3-D tomosynthesis is the latest technology to provide clearer images during screening and diagnostic procedures; however, it has not always been widely available. Hologic was the only vendor with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval until April of this year, when Siemens received the much-awaited green light to sell their product in the United States. In the KLAS report Women's Imaging 2015: Are New Technologies Delivering Promised Benefits?, data shows Hologic is still dominating the 3-D tomosynthesis marketplace but is facing competition from Siemens and GE. Now approved, Siemens did not waste any time upgrading their systems, and providers are responding positively. GE is not receiving the same response from users because their 3-D system is lagging due to implementation delays.

Mach7 Technologies announced the release of its latest version of Mach7 Enterprise Imaging Platform. The updated version 11.7 includes several enhancements and introduces new functionality to improve end-user satisfaction and simplify image management, access, and sharing across healthcare organizations.

Computed Tomography Boot Camp

Four days in Las Vegas to discuss CT principles, pearls and protocols with over 35 talks.

With the increased availability of and reliance on high-dose imaging modalities for rapid and comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, the need for better radiation dose management has only increased. Addressing this issue will require an organized and coordinated effort from many within the medical industry, regulatory agencies and professional associations, medical professionals and the patients themselves. The involvement of these four main pillars is essential for creating meaningful, sustainable advances in this field.

 

Industry

Montage Healthcare Solutions Inc. announced this week the latest software release for Montage Search and Analytics, designed for radiology practices striving to enhance their operations. Building on a robust follow-up tracking capability, Montage's new Follow-Up QC module enables departments to monitor, analyze and optimize follow-up recommendations made by radiologists. Also featured in this new release are several user interface enhancements, numerous new analytic tools, and new quality control (QC) and search features.

Hitachi Ltd. announced it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for commercial supply of the new Probeat-V system designed and developed for Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Treatments began in late June and the first patient treatment was completed in August 2015.

The Susan G. Komen Illinois Affiliates applaud Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) on the passage of the Breast Cancer Excellence in Survival and Treatment Act (BEST Act, HB3673) into law.

September 15, 2015 — Imaging patients soon after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can lead to more accurate detection of cerebral microhemorrhages, or microbleeding on the brain, according to a study of military service members. Results were published online in the journal Radiology.

More than one in three computed tomography (CT) sites surveyed by The Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) could be subject to a 5 percent reimbursement penalty beginning next year. And that’s the best case. The number could be higher.

In August, when AHRA conducted the survey, 56 percent of respondents indicated they were not in compliance with XR-29, a standard designed to safeguard Medicare patients from excessive CT radiation; 36 percent replied they would not be compliant even by Jan. 1, 2016, the date this standard is scheduled to go into effect.

The current state of proton therapy can be assessed fairly quickly by looking at a map: At the end of 2014, there were 51 proton therapy facilities worldwide, with the United States and Japan accounting for more than half (27) and the rest being scattered around the globe. This suggests there are many cancer patients who may not have easy access to proton therapy — a supposition which turns out to be true, according to Paul-Emmanuel Goethals, co-founder of radiation therapy market analysis firm MEDraysintell.
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