Dalsa invents camera to place biopsy needle

Canadian company Dalsa has released a proprietary digital x-ray camera designed to replace conventional x-ray film cassettes for mammography. Savvas Chamberlain, Dalsa's CEO, said his company has a two-year lead on the competition in this field because its new imaging system uses digital images captured by an x-ray camera to calculate the correct three-dimensional positioning of a biopsy needle.

During a diagnostic mammogram using Dalsa's new system, patients will no longer be required to remain clamped in the x-ray system while films are developed and analyzed because the camera provides real-time images and onscreen diagnostic tools, the company said.

These tools help the physician to accurately place the biopsy needle the first time. The new imaging system is designed to either replace x-ray film cassettes in existing systems or be incorporated into new digital equipment. Dalsa plans to market the camera in its fourth quarter, if it gains FDA approval.