Cedara touts mammo workstation for speed, enhanced reading

Cedara is making plans to begin marketing its new I-ReadMammo breast imaging workstation in the U.S. during the coming months. The product, which will be prominently featured in the Cedara product line, already has been cleared for marketing in Europe and Canada. The Canadian company, based in Mississauga, ON, believes FDA clearance is "imminent." Shipping could begin this summer.

"With I-ReadMammo, the focus is on workflow," said Dr. Bruce Davey, director of marketing medical applications. "We wanted to create an efficient solution for reading mammograms."

The product has been in the works for two years. While new in its own right, it leverages the company's extensive experience and software portfolio in PACS workstations. PACS features shared with the I-ReadMammo station include automated viewing protocols, magnification and bright light tools specific for mammograms, and background preloading. The product can be configured to support any type of workflow. It was designed with the knowledge that most institutions performing screening mammography use batch interpretation. For those who prefer immediate reading and consultation, I-ReadMammo reduces turnaround, minimizing the amount of time that patients must wait for results.

Cedara will market the system through OEM partners as well as its global network of distributors. I-Read will be marketed as an adjunct to Cedara's mammography systems and PACS.

"This product can complement both product offerings," Davey said.

Davey would not put a price on the product, though he said it is priced "competitively." No sales projections were offered.

"We believe it will be a very hot product," Davey said. "There's a lot of interest in digital mammography, and feedback from radiologists on both the time of reading and workflow indicates it will be well received."

Several years ago, the company was struggling, but it has erased its debt over the past year, causing its stock price to jump sixfold in eight months. Cedara executives hope to add to the momentum with I-ReadMammo.

"We're putting a lot of emphasis on this product," Davey said. "Part of the reason is growth in the digital mammography market. We believe there's a lot of opportunity in that area."