PET moves to change kidney cancer management

An antibody labeled with a PET radioisotope changes the standard of care for patients with kidney cancer, according to a lead author of a paper to be published in the April 2007 issue of The Lancet Oncology. The study report, written by researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and now available online, describes how the PET-labeled antibody G250 selectively targeted clear cell renal carcinoma, an aggressive kidney cancer that requires surgery, correctly identifying 15 of 16 such cancers and producing negative results for the nine patients with non-clear cell renal masses.

Dr. Paul Russo, a urologic cancer surgeon at Memorial-Sloan Kettering and senior author of the paper, said the sensitivity and specificity of the antibody supports use of G250 PET imaging in patient workup and management for clinically localized renal masses and as an alternative to biopsy for distinguishing renal lesions.

SunPoint debuts digital viewbox

A computerized viewbox for the review of film and digital images debuted last month at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society meeting. The review-only technology, developed by SunPoint Systems, is designed for use in the emergency room and operating room, as well as by referring physicians and to support discussions between patient and physician, according to the company. Although not part of the hospital network, the 24-inch monitor with 1920 x 1200 resolution can access information from a PACS or other healthcare application through WiFi connectivity. A built-in white-light screen also enables display of films.

Dynamic Imaging signs Novation

Web-based PACS/IT vendor Dynamic Imaging has signed a three-year PACS contract with Novation. Under the agreement, the group purchasing organization will offer IntegradWeb PACS to its clients: VHA and the University HealthSystem Consortium.

RamSoft broadens market approach

PACS/IT vendor RamSoft has swung wide the doors to its RIS and PACS products with a multitier reseller program. Healthcare solution providers, imaging equipment manufacturers, networking IT companies, and "sales professionals" are invited under the new initiative to become authorized resellers.

Siemens absorbs patient ID assets

Certain intellectual property and other assets regarding a patient specimen identification system once owned by Becton Dickinson are now part of Siemens Medical Solutions. The acquisition reflects the importance to Siemens of patient identification processes, as the company seeks to consolidate its presence in the in vitro diagnostics market. The BD.id System streamlines and reduces the potential for error in the collection of blood, urine, or other samples from patients.