Philips Healthcare launched the Epiq ultrasound system, a first-of-its-kind ultrasound architecture that offers a new approach to creating ultrasound images. Making its debut at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2013 Congress in Amsterdam, Epiq features a new imaging technology called nSIGHT that, when combined with Philips' new Anatomical Intelligence technology, delivers faster speed and improved image clarity. It has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Diagnosing Pericardial Disease Using Multi-modality Imaging Protocols

To counter the significant levels of morbidity and mortality associated with pericardial disease (disease of the sac around the heart), experts from the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE), the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR), and the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) came together to review evidence and provide future guidance to clinicians. For the first time, an expert consensus statement on the appropriate use of multimodality imaging in the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases will be published in the September issue of the Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography (JASE). The writing group was chaired by Allan L. Klein, M.D., FASE, director of Cardiovascular Imaging Research and the Pericardial Center and an echocardiographer from the esteemed Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

 

Digirad Corp. and Dilon Diagnostics have signed an exclusive international distribution agreement for Dilon to distribute Digirad's lines of nuclear imaging cameras. . 

Jetstream SC atherectomy catheter

Jetstream XC atherectomy catheter


Earlier this year my brother-in-law bought a pick-up truck. Its six-cylinder engine saves fuel by running on four cylinders. A computer chip fires up the other two cylinders when accelerating, then turns them off when cruising.

The processes within a radiology practice are numerous and complex, and many of them can require extended periods of time. There is the time that is needed to wait for imaging orders — more time if written orders are illegible and require additional correspondence between the referring physician and radiologist. Time is also lost waiting for films and cassettes to be received and uploaded to the picture archive and communications system (PACS), and still more time is needed for second opinions if required. Collectively, the time that these individual processes take often leads to longer turnaround time, which can result in patient anxiety, medical error and increased medical costs. 

In March, Carestream conducted a commissioned survey[1] of U.S.-based medical patients measuring consumer attitudes toward patient portal technologies. I had the opportunity to discuss the results and their significance to the industry with Cristine Kao, Carestream Health’s marketing manager for global healthcare IT.

Healthcare’s shift away from traditional fee-for-service reimbursement models and toward value-based payments is well under way. Case in point: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that 106 new accountable care organizations (ACOs) have begun operations, bringing the total number of Medicare Shared Savings Program participants to more than 250. ACO growth has also gained a foothold in the private sector, with 428 organizations now operating in 49 states. 
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