Bone mineral testing device gains approval

Alara of Hayward, CA, has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market Alara MetriScan, a tabletop device that allows physicians to perform in-office bone and mineral density testing on patients at risk for osteoporosis and related bone fracture.

The device scans a patient’s phalanges to estimate bone mineral density, which can be a predictor of osteoporosis and hip fracture risk.

The Alara MetriScan is a digital radiographic imaging device that uses storage phosphor technology to replace x-ray film as a radiation detector. Total radiation exposure to the patient is less than 5% of a typical dental x-ray, the firm says.

Alara is a privately held medical technology company that designs, manufactures, and markets medical imaging products based on storage phosphor technology.