Ultrasound

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An advanced beamforming algorithm called the Time-domain Optimized Near-field Estimator (TONE) substantially improves the contrast and resolution of ultrasound images, according to its developers, a group of biomedical engineers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.

The American College of Radiology and the Society of Breast Imaging have walked away from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, an ambitious effort to certify breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided interventions backed by the American College of Surgeons. They disagree with the program’s accreditation standards, especially minimal physician qualifications for interpreting breast ultrasound and performing ultrasound-guided breast interventions.

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InSite One enhances archiveMedrad CT injector detects contrast poolingDetails emerge about SonoSite convertible notesFonar reports surge in MR salesInSight readies for emergence from bankruptcy

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SonoSite prepares $150M note offeringBiospace med plans ortho DR for U.S.Alliance provides Intelerad archivingMedrad snags Canadian contractAurora Imaging recruits Nobel physicist

Echocardiography is already widely accepted as a diagnostic test for infective endocarditis, but now researchers have proven it’s also a cost-effective option. Making decisions about early surgery for patients with significant stroke risk based on echocardiographic findings is ultimately more economical than standard care.

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SonoSite projects strong quarterSiemens inks particle beam contract

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SonoSite counter sues GETyco spins off health unit

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Waiting period expires for Hologic/CytycTeraRecon notches settlement in 3D litigationConfirma appoints new CFOZonare snags ultrasound orderFDA clears CT software for lung and liver

Despite a 2005 consensus statement on the management of thyroid nodules detected at ultrasound, research presented at the 2006 RSNA meeting found wide variation in the criteria used to determine which nodules were chosen for aspiration. That shouldn"t be too surprising as even the panel of radiologists, endocrine surgeons, and endocrinologists who hammered out the consensus statement could not do so in perfect harmony.

Groin pain, whether acute or chronic, is a common clinical presentation that can be caused by a diverse array of disorders involving different anatomic structures. This makes definitive diagnosis difficult for even the most experienced clinician. Imaging can be invaluable in both localizing and characterizing otherwise uncertain groin pathology.

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Merge upgrades mammo workstation for EUCivco refines ultrasound needle systems

Journal Review

June will be remembered as the month in which the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine renewed its crusade to have contrast agents approved for use beyond the heart. The Institute’s Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine published several papers dedicated to this topic, including an editorial article by two leading sonologists and a white paper outlining the AIUM’s strategy to get FDA approval. The JUM also included original research papers exploring microbubble contrast applications, mostly in the liver.

Intestinal parasites often cause no symptoms until they move into other parts of the body. Ascaris lumbricoides worms sometimes invade the biliary tract, a condition called biliary ascariasis. Identifying this problem can be difficult, but ultrasound was able to detect the worms in a study done in Yemen.

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GE takes over ultrasound CAD productCarestream Health signs high-profile IT clients

Intestinal parasites often cause no symptoms until they move into other parts of the body. Ascaris lumbricoides worms sometimes invade the biliary tract, a condition called biliary ascariasis. Identifying this problem can be difficult, but ultrasound was able to detect the worms in a study done in Yemen.

The first study of its type has found ultrasound to be acceptable alternative to invasive biopsy for the management of tumors hidden to x-ray mammography but diagnosed as probably benign by the ultrasound Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, according to a study in the July issue of Radiology.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine unveiled a new strategy aiming at final FDA approval of contrast media for clinical ultrasound applications outside cardiology. The white paper outlining the plan appears in the June issue of the Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine.

Neurosurgery depends heavily on the ability of the surgeon to navigate through what can be seen as well as what cannot. MR- and CT-guided neuronavigational tools lately have done much to fill in the blanks with 3D maps that provide the context for interventions. Now biomedical engineers at Duke University are researching how ultrasound might provide a real-time guide to such surgeries.

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Civco introduces prostate needle guideCirino joins Imaging Dynamics as chairmanDamadian wins inventor of the year award Radlink wins CR dealPhilips plans cybersecurity webinar

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Siemens highlights cardiovascular assessmentAurora expands breast MR operation to AsiaIBA launches headquarters in Beijing Gamma Medica-Ideas unveils high-performance CT

Research published in the June issue of the Journal of Nuclear Medicine suggests that radiolabeled recombinant tissue plasminogen activator can perform double duty for evaluations of deep vein thrombosis: It can diagnose the presence of DVT and distinguish between new and old thrombi. Peer-reviewed reports in the May medical literature reflect the growing value of medical imaging for diagnosing, assessing, and guiding the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

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iCAD pairs with Agfa for mammography systemSonoSite extends availability of algorithmAurora offers breast MR insurance supportContextVision lands OEM contractsAmicas picks up major IT contract