The Diagnostic Imaging ultrasound modality focus page provides information, videos, podcasts, and the latest news about industry product developments, trial results, screening guidelines, and protocol guidance that touch on the use of ultrasound across the healthcare continuum, from cardiovascular, breast, abdominal, neurological imaging, and more, including point-of-care ultrasound.
August 29th 2025
The AI-powered cardiovascular ultrasound device reportedly offers enhanced spatial and contrast resolution as well as bolstered 4D imaging that enables improved evaluation of cardiac function for a wide range of patients.
Real-time MRI catches beating fetal heart
October 24th 2005Researchers from The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia have performed real-time functional cardiac MRI in fetuses. Theirs is the first report of this technique, which may represent an advance over the current gold standard of fetal echocardiography.
Ultrasound technique forecasts renal cancer therapy success
October 21st 2005Doppler ultrasonography with perfusion software and contrast agent injection can be used to predict which patients with metastatic renal cell cancer will respond to treatment with the antiangiogenic drug sorafenib, according to a study presented at the 2005 American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Orlando.
SonoSite launches new flagship onto medical seas
October 5th 2005The ultrasound market in the U.S. stumbled last year, with the exception of hand-carried systems. Sales of ultrasound units were flat in 2004, but demand for handheld systems grew in the double digits, according to industry sources. The physicians driving those sales included not only radiologists but relative newcomers to the ultrasound fold such as surgeons and emergency room physicians.
Strategies could lead way to a better grip on ultrasound
October 5th 2005Today's log at the imaging center shows 15 patients scheduled for different examinations. Most come with abdominal or musculoskeletal symptoms, and almost half of them are overweight. The daytime sonographer called in sick earlier, so the radiologist needs to make a tough call: Does she perform 15 ultrasound exams herself or does she shuttle everyone through to any of the CT or MR scanners available?
Philips releases upgrade package for radiology and echo platforms
September 26th 2005Philips has released a package of enhancements and new system configurations for its ultrasound portfolio. The upgrades, known collectively as Vision 2005, include new capabilities for the company’s latest radiology and cardiology platforms.
Ultrasound helps reveal vascular patterns in thyroid cancer
September 19th 2005Thyroid nodules with dominant central vascularization have a greater chance of being malignant. The vascularization of thyroid nodules can be a complementary criterion in indication of the nodule for fine-needle aspiration, according to studies presented at the 2005 European Congress of Radiology meeting.
Imaging industry remains locked in FDA doldrums
August 29th 2005July saw just one more FDA clearance (24) than the previous month, but the number of sophisticated submissions took a sharp turn to the north. Devices in image management and CT promise interesting twists on established offerings, while others in nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and x-ray indicate expansions of some vendors’ product lines.
Siemens looks to capitalize on further growth in China
August 29th 2005China’s increasing demand for modern healthcare innovations has given a welcome boost to the makers of medical imaging equipment. With no sign of a slowdown in growth, it is little wonder that Siemens Medical Solutions is ramping up its investment in this market.
MR-guided ultrasound attracts new vendors to clinical space
August 29th 2005Much has happened in the year since the FDA approved the first MR-guided ultrasound device for the treatment of uterine fibroids. The pioneers of this new product area, InSightec and its imaging partner GE Healthcare, have launched initiatives to find other clinical applications. One is a pivotal trial of ExAblate 2000 for the treatment of breast fibroadenomas. Another combines two feasibility studies of the safety and efficacy of the device for ablating breast cancers and eliminating brain tumors through an intact skull.
The ‘Celling’ of modern radiology
August 29th 2005Usually, the beginnings of great change are recognized only in hindsight. The exception to that rule may have happened Aug. 24. This was the day the developers of Cell Broadband Engine Architecture -- known informally as Cell -- flung wide the doors to the technical underpinnings of this new computing chip.
The ‘Celling’ of modern radiology
August 29th 2005Usually, the beginnings of great change are recognized only in hindsight. The exception to that rule may have happened Aug. 24. This was the day the developers of Cell Broadband Engine Architecture -- known informally as Cell -- flung wide the doors to the technical underpinnings of this new computing chip.
AIUM toughens policy on keepsake ultrasound
August 25th 2005The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine has updated its policy on fetal ultrasound studies performed without medical indications. Though the revised statement still targets keepsake imaging entrepreneurs, the new language looks at potential ethical violations by accredited ultrasound practitioners as well, according to AIUM officials.
3D ultrasound boosts prostate imaging
August 18th 2005Controversial new data questioning prostate-specific antigen screening could lead to a surge in 3D ultrasound imaging until more accurate serum markers appear. Three-D has shown prominent gains in diagnosis, staging, and management of prostate cancer, according to recent studies.
FDA clearances in June signal subpar performance by industry
August 15th 2005Efforts by the imaging industry to clear radiological devices have slipped into a narrow corridor of moderate success, as companies in June scored just 23 FDA clearances, two more than the previous month and one more than April. The pace of clearances now has drifted far below the level that led to last year’s record number of cleared products, which saw April 2004 with 36, May with 26, and June with 38.
MSCT complements endoscopic ultrasound in gastrointestinal cancer staging
August 4th 2005While both multislice CT and endoscopic ultrasound can evaluate the local extension of esophageal tumors, CT can also image distant metastases in the lymph nodes, lungs, and liver with a single exam, providing superior staging of T3 and T4 cancers, according to a study from Austria presented at the 2005 European Congress of Radiology. CT is not without weaknesses, however.
Vendors suffer slowdown in 2004 ultrasound market
August 1st 2005Manufacturers and industry report a decline in the ultrasound market last year in the U.S. The market was down in 2004 about 7% to $950 million in equipment shipments, according to consolidated industry estimates. This decline came on the heels of a record year in 2003, during which vendors shipped equipment valued at just over $1 billion to U.S. customers. Backlogs for new units and upgrades from 2004 outdistanced sales by about 4%, indicating strength going into 2005.
ARRT toasts milestone, tweaks MR and ultrasound certification
July 18th 2005The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in June celebrated its 250,000th certification. The ARRT might reach the half-million mark sooner than expected as it gears up to allow MRI techs and sonographers to be certified without first becoming radiologic technologists.
Cell phone cameras capture ultrasound images
July 13th 2005Mobile phones outfitted with microcameras could relay more than pics and flicks. These portable devices could also broadcast ultrasound images, according to a poster presented at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine meeting in June.
Ultrasound training could begin in college
July 8th 2005Medical students may not need to wait for a residency or fellowship to gain experience with ultrasound. They could become familiar with the modality long before graduation, according to a study presented at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine meeting in June.