Vendors pledge help for world’s needy

IMV study raises hope of 2009 rebound

Administrators at a majority of U.S. hospitals expect purse strings for imaging equipment to loosen later this year, according to a newly released study by the market research firm IMV. The survey of 250 U.S. hospitals, which provides the basis for IMV's 2009 Diagnostic Imaging Procedures and Purchases: A Semi-Annual Update, found that more than 60% of these hospitals plan to complete selected capital projects during 2009. Types of equipment most likely to be acquired by year end include digital mammography, digital radiography, fluoroscopy equipment, and CT scanners that deliver 64 or more slices per rotation.

LightLab unveils OCT product

LightLab Imaging launched its next-generation optical coherence tomography system at EuroPCR 2009 in Barcelona. The C7XR FD-OCT Imaging System with the C7 Dragonfly Imaging Catheter is designed for intracoronary applications. The new product, which received the CE Mark in March 2009 for distribution throughout the European Union, scans a 40-mm artery segment in less than three seconds at micron level resolution.

Vendors pledge help for world's needy

Partnerships with vendors will allow the World Health Imaging Alliance (WHIA) to bring digital imaging technologies to developing countries, according to the nonprofit provider of medical imaging technologies. Carestream Health is donating Point of Care CR systems for use in the pilot installations. Merge Healthcare has pledged staff time, software licensing, and development assistance for image management products. Sedecal will work with WHIA to provide an x-ray machine approved by the World Health Organization for meeting the diagnostic needs of these patients.