Researchers who thought they had identified the bacterial perpetrator of the often severe disease caused by community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) had better keep looking: Scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, have exonerated a toxin widely thought to be the guilty party.

Calypso Medical Technologies, Inc. officially launched its recently FDA 510(k) cleared Calypso 4D Localization System at ASTRO, providing a new technology for real-time target localization and tumor tracking for a variety of clinical applications.
The 4D Localization System utilizes electromagnetic technology in conjunction with Calypso’s implanted Beacon Electromagnetic Transponders, in the prostate, to provide tumor location information during external beam radiation therapy without adding ionizing radiation.

Varian Medical Systems announced at ASTRO that it has added new motion management capabilities to the Eclipse radiotherapy treatment planning system, designed to increase treatment precision for tumors in mobile areas of the body, such as the lung.

Doctors caring for the elderly and the disabled will see a 5 percent cut in reimbursement rates when they treat Medicare patients next year. But in an effort to give more personalized care, the government will pay physicians more to counsel patients on ways to improve their health.

Doctors warned that that the lower rates would lead to fewer doctors taking on new Medicare cases. The new rates were announced in rules the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services made public Wednesday.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and ImClone Systems Inc. said a late-stage trial of their cancer drug Erbitux used along with another treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer failed to ensure overall survival.

The study compared irinotecan with irinotecan plus Erbitux in about 1,300 patients whose colorectal cancer was not responding to first-line oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, the companies said.

The primary endpoint of overall survival was not met, said the companies' joint news release on Monday.

WebMD Health Corp., NY, agreed to acquire Subimo, Chicago, for $60 million to expand its presence in the fast-growing market for consumer-driven healthcare. Subimo provides insurers and employers with customized online tools that allow members to compare healthcare cost and information.

Philips announced today at ASTRO the introduction of Panorama 1.0T R/T, a high field open MR simulator, and Tumor Localization (Tumor LOC) version 3.5 for CT, both designed to support department efficiency and provide valuable information during radiation oncology treatment planning.

Holger Schmidt, the new president of Siemens Medical Solutions Oncology Care Division, requested today at ASTRO that the scientific and clinical oncology communities “break down the barriers of conventional thinking and explore the furthest reaches of the creative and innovative spirit”, as Siemens advocates changing the approach to treating cancer.
“By transforming the therapeutic approach, we can connect those pieces and complete the picture of truly personalized cancer care," said Schmidt.

The IT and medical technology company Sectra and its Breast Imaging PACS is being featured on “The Global Learning Series”, an education-focused, issue oriented program distributed to public television stations nationwide in the U.S.

The TRUMPF iLED surgical and procedure light from TRUMPF Medical Systems has won the “Best in Show” and the “Architect’s Choice” awards in the Annual Symposium Distinction Awards competition. The Symposium Distinction Awards honor design teams and individuals who have made a contribution to the healthcare design industry. In addition, it recognizes the best and most innovative new products exhibited at the Healthcare Facilities Symposium & Expo.

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