FDA clears Longport scanner

Ultrasound device developer Longport received good news last month when the Food and Drug Administration cleared its Longport Digital Scanner (LDS), a portable ultrasound scanner that captures and reproduces images of soft tissue down to 2 cm. Longport applied for 510(k) clearance for the unit in January (SCAN 1/13/99).

The clearance covers dermatological indications, but the Swarthmore, PA, firm is researching other uses for the device, such as podiatric, physical therapy, dental, and burn treatment indications. The company plans to rent the unit to clients in a range of settings, including private physician offices and outpatient centers. Rental will cost about $4000 per month, and will include service, upgrades, and access to an Internet educational database. Longport has a waiting list for LDS of more than 100 clients, the company said.