The impending introduction of digital x-ray detectors is beginning to spur debate over the influence the technology will have on medical imaging. Proponents of digital detectors believe that the technology will have a revolutionary impact as the massive
Investors sold shares of bone densitometry company Hologic last month after the Waltham, MA, firm announced that it expected lower revenues for its first quarter (end-December). Hologic on Dec. 23 told investors that it expected first-quarter sales of
Decision also applies to coincidence detection techniquesPositron imaging has entered the clinical mainstream. On Jan. 1, Medicare began reimbursing for the diagnosis and staging of lung cancer using positron imaging. And this may be only the
CPS will fill orders in Positron's backlogPositron this month took a step toward getting its financial house in order by signing a letter of intent to outsource its manufacturing and service capacity to fellow PET developer CTI PET Systems (CPS).
New financing supports aggressive acquisition modeProspects for MRI services are sound and improving. Although average reimbursement in the U.S. continues to trend down, the drop in payment levels has moderated substantially and is more than
TeleMed III highlights market progress as companies prepare for growthNew legislation and software breathe life into telemedicineChanges in reimbursement rules and product development are stirring speculation that 1998 could be a banner
Company will sell systems now marketed by GENuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories scored a coup this month over rival GE Medical Systems by signing an agreement with UGM Medical Systems for UGM's low-cost PET cameras. GE had been selling the
Bone densitometry firm Hologic (Hall A, #3447) will be breathing easier at its RSNA booth since the Health Care Financing Administration last month published revised Medicare reimbursement rates that correct misprinted figures released earlier this year.
As expected, one-time charges related to two recent acquisitions conspired to produce a $15.5 million loss for the third quarter (end-September) at bone densitometry firm Norland Medical Systems of White Plains, NY. Norland also reported lower revenues
Company reports good news on FDG reimbursementADAC Laboratories reported last week that sales of its Molecular Coincidence Detection high-energy imaging upgrade for gamma cameras rebounded in the company's fourth quarter (end-September). The
New rates provide big increases for axial, peripheral scansThe Health Care Financing Administration provided bone densitometry companies with a Halloween treat on Oct. 31 by releasing new bone densitometry reimbursement rates that include sharp
Bone densitometry firms will probably benefitA massive study designed to develop a database to identify women at risk of osteoporosis was launched this month with the backing of pharmaceutical giant Merck of Whitehouse Station, NJ, which markets
The bone densitometry market appears to have hit a rough patch. The once-hot segment has stumbled over the last several months as international demand slows, while equipment purchasing in the U.S. has been affected by confusion over proposed changes in
A wealthy Spanish industrialist has acquired a 52% position in magnetic source imaging developer Biomagnetic Technologies of San Diego. The acquisition represents the culmination of Enrique Maso's lifelong interest in the measurement of magnetism in the
Imaging center firm Medical Resources continues to grow through acquisitions. With the purchase of six centers in Ohio, Hackensack, NJ-based Medical Resources has 101 imaging centers in its stable. The company has also acquired RIS developer Dalcon
Shares of bone densitometry vendor Lunar plunged on Sept. 22 after the Madison, WI, company announced that it expected to post flat revenues and lower profits for its first fiscal quarter (end-September). The results were due to lower-than-expected
There may be light at the end of the tunnel regarding Medicare payments for studies with the PET radioisotope fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The Health Care Financing Administration last month informed members of the Institute for Clinical PET that the agency
Imaging center chain Medical Resources has acquired four more imaging centers to bring its nationwide total to 93. Two of the centers are in California, while the other two are in Florida and Pennsylvania. All together, the four centers contribute annual
Imaging center chain Medical Resources last month added to its expanding chain four more centers in Florida. The Hackensack, NJ, company paid $9.25 million in cash and notes convertible into Medical Resources common stock, plus the assumption of debt.
Congress orders HCFA to pay for telemedicineLegislation seen as boost for rural telemedicine providersIn a move being hailed as a landmark for the advancement of telemedicine in the U.S., Congress has included provisions requiring
Telemed advocates win Medicare triumphDepending on your vantage point, the Medicare reimbursement legislation adopted by Congress last month is either a major victory for the telemedicine industry, or little more than symbolism. The reality is
Raytel Medical has decided to hold onto its medical imaging business following an internal review of its activities in the industry. Raytel will continue developing its imaging business through additional investment, and will expand the offerings of
Imaging services investment confirms mobile's revivalDon't cry for mobile MRI. Despite sagging reimbursement levels, the U.S. shared imaging services business has steadily improved for those players that were able to tough it out past the
Information systems unit also reports difficultiesNuclear medicine vendor ADAC Laboratories last month reported strong growth in third-quarter revenues and operating income, but the positive numbers were overshadowed by a disturbing shortfall in
The Health Care Financing Administration has adopted a new national policy that substantially expands Medicare Part B coverage for magnetic resonance angiography. As of May 1, the federal healthcare insurance program began to routinely pay for lower
