Archive for the ‘Medical Imaging’ Category

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Medical Imaging for Early Detection of Diseases

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

One of the major benefits of medical imaging is the early detection of diseases. Breast cancers are spotted early on through mammogram. Even without having to touch a patient, doctors and medical practitioners are able to see a detailed view of a broken bone through x-ray. Changes in the internal organs and blood vessels are recognized through ultrasound. These are but few of the firsthand advantages of medical imaging. The whole human body is explored and new approaches for diseases are opened for treatment especially at their fundamental stages.

Mammography, CT Scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are some of the most common medical imaging methods readily available to patients nowadays. These methods are routinely used throughout hospitals and health laboratories to detect cancer, heart diseases and other internal body complications. More complicated and expensive methods are electron microscopy, fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, photo acoustic imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), projection radiography, tomography and ultrasound.

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Cancer Detection through Medical Imaging

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
The January 16, 2007 issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences published a study by researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York that uses molecular MRI to gain insight into the correlation between inflammation and heart disease. Researchers developed a synthetic material, gadolinium–diethyltriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) that is able to track down and attach to white blood cells imbedded in arterial walls. The DPTA allowed the MRI visualization of the white blood cells, providing the ability to actually count the number of cells and assess their stability. Researchers found a positive correlation between the number of white cells imbedded in the arterial walls and the likelihood of subsequent heart attack. The initial research was conducted on mice. Further research will be conducted on larger animals and if successful, the research will move to human clinical trials.

The search for better, more efficient and more specific medical imaging “tagging” media is the hottest new area of research in molecular magnetic resonance medical imaging. Recently, researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the University of California at Berkeley have reported on research involving a new medical imaging technique for MRI that can detect molecules 10,000 times lower concentrations than conventional MRI techniques. The method, called HYPER-CEST, for hyperpolarized xenon chemical exchange saturation transfer, hyperpolarizes atoms with laser light to enhance their MRI signal, and then places the atoms into a nano-scale cage biosensor which is made specifically for a particular protein target. This medical imaging method is expected to be particularly useful in detecting cancer cells at the very earliest stages of cancer presence.

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What is Molecular Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

Sunday, January 11th, 2009

Magnetic resonance medical imaging, based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance, produces an image ofthe NMR signal in a thin slice through the human body. Images taken sequentially build a three dimensional picture of anatomical structures.Magnetic resonance medical imaging is the diagnostic tool of choice for visualizing the brain and spinal cord as well as evaluating soft tissue.

Molecular magnetic resonance medical imaging brings the level of visualization and analysis to the cellular and molecular level. At this level, it is possible to track and evaluate cellular functions that can provide never-before-available insight into the nature of the disease process. For example, there has long been an established connection between inflammation and heart disease. However, the medical imaging tools to measure inflammation related to the heart have simply not been available at a fine enough level of measurement to fully explore the connection.

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King of Medical Equipment

Friday, November 28th, 2008

In its drive to become King of the Medical Equipment industry, Philips Healthcare Services has acquired six companies since its inception in 1998. So, has Philips arrived at the royal industry castle yet? Some believe so. In fact, prior to the last two acquisitions, Palo Alto’s “growth consulting” company Frost & Sullivan seemed to think so. In 2004 Frost & Sullivan announced they were awarding Philips five, count them, FIVE awards for “technology and services innovation and industry leadership”. Philips was recognized for making distinguished contributions to the cardiac resuscitation and medical imaging industries and for providing leadership in these market segments.

Was Frost & Sullivan just looking for a spot at the royal court or were these legitimate kudos? Probably the later. F&S conducted interviews with many market players along with their customers and suppliers, and reportedly did extensive research into the medical equipment technology field.

One of the five awards included the regent-like titles of “Medical Imaging Company of the Year”, “New Care Setting of the Year”, and “Medical Imaging Technology of the Year”. The other two were for Technology Leadership and Services Innovation Leadership.

The response of Jouko Karvinen, president and CEO of Philips Medical Systems, to the awards sounded like the equivalent of an industry coronation speech. He stated, “We proudly accept the Frost & Sullivan Awards as an independent validation of Philips business and technology leadership…. These five awards are further indicators that Philips continues to set the industry standard for developing innovative products that help treat patients and save lives.”

Royal Philips. Long live the King!

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