Vendors aim to improve care with new products

Plate reader

Fujifilm's FCR (Fuji Computed Radiography) Profect One is a single-image plate reader for high-resolution digital mammography and pediatric imaging. It features Dual-Side Reading technology and a superfine sampling rate (20 pixels/mm).

See http://www.fujifilm.com

Reporting tool

Crescendo Systems' digital dictation, speech recognition, and transcription puts the emphasis on security and administrative efficiency. Files are stored centrally on the Citrix server, and users can access them via the Internet.

See http://www.crescendo.com

Software validation

Rogan-Delft has validated its View Pro-X software with the Matrox AuroraVX3mp display controller boards. The boards can drive various combinations of color and gray-scale displays in portrait and/or landscape modes, and they feature an 8- or 10-bit display output for 256 or 1024 simultaneous shades of gray.

See http://www.rogan-delft.com and http://www.matroxmed.com

Flat-panel display systems

Planar has selected ATI Technologies to provide graphics processing technology for its medical imaging products. The company has developed the Dome AX4, built with the ATI FireGL V3400 workstation graphics board.

See http://www.planar.com

Ultrasound purchase

The Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and Cheltenham General Hospital in the U.K. have acquired six SonoSite iLook systems. The equipment will be used for central venous access in emergency, intensive care, oncology, and cardiology departments.

See http://www.sonosite.com

Medical monitor

Sony has released a medical-grade LCD monitor, the LMD-1950MD. The device meets stringent safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards and is suitable for use in sterile environments, according to the vendor.

See http://www.sonybiz.net/healthcare

Digital mammography

Sectra's MicroDose full-field digital mammography system is designed to maximize image quality, increase patient throughput, and minimize radiation dose. The vendor aims to offer a complete package, including a mammography stand, PACS dedicated to breast imaging, and integration capability with information systems.

http://www.sectra.com

Neurosurgical planning

Volume Interactions, part of Bracco, has unveiled Dextroscope, a virtual reality system for neurosurgical planning. The device enables surgeons to explore patient-specific neurological structures by integrating CT and MR images into true 3D volumetric objects.

See http://www.bracco.com

Film processor

The Konica Minolta SRX-701 is a five-speed high-volume film processor. It offers a programmable display panel and is recommended for all applications, including dedicated mammography.

See http://www.konicaminoltaeurope.com

Scottish MR center

Alliance Medical has announced the opening of an MR scanner at Falkirk and District Royal Infirmary in the U.K. The site features a 1.5T Siemens Avanto MR scanner.

See http://www.alliancemedical.co.uk

French contract

Agfa HealthCare has won a contract for implementation of its healthcare IT system, ORBIS, at the university hospital center (CHU) of Toulouse, France. The project is scheduled for completion by 2011 and will affect around 10,000 users.

See http://www.agfa.com/healthcare

Corporate move

The Chinese ultrasound manufacturer, Mindray, has set up an office in London to focus on marketing and sales, user training, and after-sales service. The office is likely to have 20 employees within the next three years.

See http://www.mindrayultrasound.com

Computer-aided detection

French-based Median Technologies has raised Euro 10 million to develop software for the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of cancers. Its scientific partner, the University of Chicago, is a shareholder in the company. The current focus is on the lung and colon.

See http://www.mediantechnologies.com

Mobile C-arm

Xograph Imaging Systems has announced wireless local area network connectivity on its Ziehm range of mobile C-arm image intensifiers. The vendor's first installation took place at the Borders General Hospital in Melrose, U.K.

See http://www.xograph.com

PACS development

Medical Insight has released version 2.4 of the EasyViz mobile PACS. The company supports the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) initiatives, and it claims its product conforms to the latest interoperability standards.

See http://www.medical-insight.com

Image management

Mercury's Visage 2.0 CS Thin Client/Server now includes application and workflow capabilities for visualizing 3D medical image data, either tightly coupled with a scanning modality or seamlessly integrated within a PACS.

See http://www.mc.com

Stent-graft

Lombard Medical Technologies has introduced its second-generation Aorfix AAA stent graft. To enhance corrosion resistance, the device incorporates electropolished nitinol wire, and the delivery system is 1-F smaller than the previous model.

See http://www.lombardmedical.com

Optical probes

VisEn Medical has released three new optical probes. The NanoSPARKS range uses targetable, biocompatible nanoparticles for imaging of biological and molecular processes in vivo.

See http://www.visenmedical.com

Development funding

SuperSonic Imagine has raised Euro 10 million to develop medical ultrasound technology for viewing and measuring tissue elasticity. Founded in April 2005, the company aims to improve detection of cancer damage (palpable or not), diagnosis reliability, and characterization of lesions.

See http://www.supersonicimagine.fr

Probe repairs

Sonora Medical Systems has signed a license and supply agreement with Fischer Medzin Technik. Fischer is creating a multivendor ultrasound transducer repair operation for German-speaking countries in Europe and will be selling Sonora's ultrasound test device products to clinical users.

See http://www.4sonora.com

Phycobiliproteins

Far East Bio-Tec has introduced lyophilized (freeze-dried) phycobiliproteins for commercial applications in flow cytometry, fluorescence immunoassay, immunohistochemistry, medical imaging, and diagnostics.

See http://www.febico.com.tw