New company debuts at ECR meeting, plans 1998 shipmentsDespite x-ray's unenviable status as the least glamorous imagingmodality, the technology still produces some 70% of the data usedin radiology. Because those data must be digitized for

GE Medical Systems of Milwaukee is preparing for the commercialintroduction of two new ultrasound scanners, the first membersof a new Logiq alpha family of analog black-and-white systemsfor the entry-level and mid-range segments.Designed and produced by

Parent group to cut 1200 jobs in restructuringU.S. imaging vendor Siemens Medical Systems will see the departurethis month of the second high-ranking executive to leave the companythis year when president Robert Dumke retires effective March31.

USDL keeps active despite recent legal problemsDespite a bump or two on the consolidation highway, U.S. imagingcenter acquisitions continue apace. Previously announced purchasesinvolving the two largest center firms were finalized in the lasttwo

Mobile imaging provider Alliance Imaging, of Orange, CA, turnedin strong revenue and net income numbers for 1996 (end-December).The company said that its debt restructuring is nearly complete,which will enable Alliance to accelerate its growth plan.For

Companies say they will scale back participationMedical imaging vendors are expressing concern over the EuropeanCongress of Radiology's decision this month to begin holding itsmeeting annually starting in 1999. While imaging executives saythey

Dutch conglomerate Philips Electronics last month reported that1996 sales in its Philips Medical Systems unit progressed welland that the company was satisfied with the division's operatingincome. Philips declined to break out specific sales and

While many medical imaging vendors talk about partnering withcustomers, one ultrasound vendor believes that a financial risk-sharingarrangement can also prove profitable. Siemens Ultrasound of Issaquah, WA, announced in January thatit has reached an

Panel restores $35 million in damages to jury verdictGE Medical Systems was dealt a stunning legal and financial blow last week in its MRI patent infringement case against Fonar. A U.S. Court of Appeals panel not only sided against GE, but also

New system replaces hardware with softwareThe premium end of the ultrasound market has grabbed most of thespotlight over the last year, with major new product introductionscoming at the rate of one every several months. Ultrasound vendorAdvanced

Vendor acquires Florida gamma camera ISOADAC Laboratories is planning to expand its nuclear medicine multivendorservice program to cover the installed base of Elscint gamma cameras.The Milpitas, CA, company last month acquired Photon

GE Medical Systems of Milwaukee has tapped Lawrence Johnston aspresident and CEO of its GE Medical Systems Europe unit, whichis based in Buc, France. Johnston previously was vice presidentof sales and distribution for GE Appliances in Louisville,

Toshiba America Medical Systems in Tustin, CA, has named DanielHottowe as director of its CT and nuclear medicine business units.As head of the CT unit, Hottowe replaces John Zimmer, who wasrecently named Toshiba's vice president of marketing. In

Israeli medical imaging vendor Elscint has won a contract to sellan MRI scanner to a Jordanian public hospital in a deal that isperhaps more important for its historic symbolism than its financialimpact. The system is the first sale of an Elscint MRI

Company records $9.4 million in ‘other income’MRI vendor Fonar last month reported a novel financial achievementfor its second quarter (end-December). The Melville, NY, company,which has struggled to reach profitability in recent years,

Elscint sees partnering as key to plans for global growthIt's no surprise that the nuclear medicine industry has been ripefor consolidation. What has been unexpected is how few gamma cameravendors have been willing to pursue mergers or

HeliCool to ship on compact Xpress/GX scannersToshiba America Medical Systems of Tustin, CA, plans to beginshipments in March of a new CT x-ray tube that uses liquid-metaltechnology to improve the dissipation of heat generated duringhelical exams.

ATL found that customers wanted larger solutionsUltrasound vendor ATL has reached an agreement with Eastman Kodakto sell its Nova MicroSonics image management division to theRochester, NY, film and PACS vendor. ATL made the move after findingthat

Teleradiology vendor CompuRad of Tucson got some good news fromOEM partner Siemens Medical Systems of Iselin, NJ, which sellsCompuRad's MagicView 50 teleradiology product. CompuRad announcedthis month that Siemens will expand MagicView 50 sales from

Former Acuson executive Kerr Spencer has taken a position withthe ultrasound group of GE Medical Systems in Milwaukee. Spencerhas been named global marketing manager, and will report to ultrasounddivision chief Omar Ishrak. Spencer's most recent position