Philips catches acquisition fever with purchases of ADAC and Agilent
November 29th 2000The imaging industry has been on a consolidation binge. Smaller companies have become fodder for multimodality giants as major vendors seek economies of scale by adding new modalities or increasing their market share in existing ones.At the
PACS vendors set sights on referring physicians at RSNA
November 29th 2000The first year of the new millennium has been a profitable one for the PACS industry. Nearly every vendor is reporting strong and even record increases in sales and installations, and we haven't even been to Chicago yet.The annual RSNA
E-business shifts healthcare provider focus to patient care and physician collaboration
November 29th 2000When analysts make lists of which industries are furthest along in e-business, healthcare seldom finishes near the top. It's usually not even in the top 10. But some major changes are afoot-such as Web-based diagnostics and physician
Dunlee broadens product line to include metal x-ray tubes
November 22nd 2000By Greg FreiherrIn a bid to broaden its customer base, x-ray tube maker Dunlee has expanded its product line to include metal tubes.About 75% of Dunlee tubes are sold to Marconi Medical Systems, of which Dunlee is a division. The M series metal tubes now
Philips cardiovascular system will debut at RSNA show
November 22nd 2000By Brenda TilkePhilips Medical Systems has introduced its newest cardiovascular system, the Integris Allura, as a successor to the existing V5000 and BV5000 systems. "The Allura can be used for every combination of vascular, cardiovascular,
R2 plans introduction of LungCheck
November 22nd 2000By Robert BruceEven as R2 Technology's ImageChecker CAD mammography system seems to be catching on with radiologists and patients, the company is starting clinical trials on a CT lung cancer detection system it believes will be even more successful.GE
Philips puts up $426 million to acquire nuclear leader ADAC Laboratories
November 22nd 2000By Robert BruceRoyal Philips Electronics announced last week that it has agreed to acquire ADAC Laboratories for $426 million, or $18.50 a share of ADAC's outstanding common stock. The offer is subject to regulatory approval. It is good until Dec. 12 and
Marconi schedules launch of expandable16-slice CT scanner
November 22nd 2000By Robert BruceMarconi Medical Systems will introduce the first 16-slice CT scannerexpandable to 32 slices and beyondbut the new version of the Mx8000 won't be ready to ship for a year and a half.The company is introducing the 16-slice scanner now
Workstation interface affects PACS acceptance
November 20th 2000Since the workstation interface is the primary site of interaction between the radiologist and PACS, perhaps no factor is more important in radiologist acceptance. A slow, cumbersome interface can cause frustration, require additional time, and
PACS landscape shows big changes at this year's RSNA show
November 20th 2000Mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships by the big sixAgfa, GE, Kodak, Marconi, Philips, and Siemenshave changed the face of PACS. The landscape is also changing because infusions of cash have reached a few independents, while others struggle to keep
Picis pushes standardization with vital signs 'warehouse'
November 15th 2000Picis pushes standardization with vital signs 'warehouse'Data-capture expertise at heart of national nonprofitWith all the hoopla in healthcare around standards and interoperability, systems and software vendors have been emphasizing
Inphact snags contract to supply PACS to the VHA
November 15th 2000Inphact snags contract to supply PACS to the VHAInphact, a provider of Internet-based radiology services, has signed an agreement with the VHA alliance to provide PACS products and services to its more than 2000 member hospitals. Through the
Toshiba selects Vital Images to add 3-D software to CT
November 15th 2000Toshiba selects Vital Images to add 3-D software to CTToshiba America Medical Systems has signed a contract with Vital Images to offer Vital Images' Vitrea software with Toshiba's CT products. The Vitrea tool, with 2-D and 3-D visualization,
Motion Media videophone used in Scottish TM project
November 15th 2000Motion Media videophone used in Scottish TM projectMotion Media Technology, a developer of videotelephony products, is one of four companies in a consortium delivering home telecare services to elderly residents in West Lothian, Scotland, as
PACS/RIS vendors drive integration of voice recognition for radiologists
November 15th 2000PACS/RIS vendors drive integration of voice recognition for radiologistsAccuracy issues take backseat to workflow pressuresVoice recognition has found an unlikely ally in its efforts to make inroads in medicine: PACS. Every major imaging
Content-based retrieval for PACS arrives
November 13th 2000PACS should provide a more intelligent retrieval mechanism -- one based on image and video content -- according to some experts. While PACS already allow physicians to search traditional SQL-based image databases using textual keys such as patient
PACS/RIS vendors bring voice recognition to radiology
November 13th 2000Voice recognition has found an unlikely ally: PACS. Every major imaging and PACS vendor now offers, or is on the verge of launching, digital dictation capabilities integrated with their radiology workstations. Some even go a step further and voice-enable