Bio-Imaging joins GE MRI therapy effort

GE Medical Systems willget a helping hand in its interventional MRI program from Bio-ImagingTechnologies. GE has enlisted the West Trenton, NJ, firm to providedata management and technical consulting services for its image-guidedtherapy program.

GE unveiled its interventional MRI unit, Signa MRT, at lastyear's Radiological Society of North America meeting, where itwas shown in panel displays as a work-in-progress (SCAN 11/17/93).Signa MRT is a 0.5-tesla superconducting magnet with a gap inthe center of the scanner that allows physicians to access patientsfor interventional procedures.

GE's image-guided therapy program uses focused ultrasound totreat breast lesions. Under the agreement signed with GE, Bio-ImagingTechnologies will participate in the program by assisting GE inthe monitoring, processing and digital management of medical imagesand related clinical information. Bio-Imaging will use its Bio/ImageBasemedical image-enabled database to manage MRI images, mammogramsand electronic documents, and to facilitate regulatory submissionand review of data gathered in the program.