When Seconds Count: Interventional Radiology Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism Saves Lives

FAIRFAX, Va./PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Catheter-directed therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis--an interventional radiology treatment that uses targeted image-guided drug delivery with specially designed catheters to dissolve dangerous blood clots in the lungs--saves lives and should be considered a first-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism, note researchers in the November Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

"Modern catheter-directed therapy for acute pulmonary embolism saves lives, and we need to raise awareness about its safety and effectiveness not only among the general public but also within the medical community. It's a matter of life and death," said William Kuo, M.D., an interventional radiologist who is assistant professor and fellowship director of vascular and interventional radiology in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, Calif. "In our study, we conclude that modern catheter-directed therapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism and should be considered as a first-line treatment option," he added.

Pulmonary embolism occurs when one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked from blood clots that break free and travel there. These clots most often begin as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots within the deep leg veins. When the clots break free, circulate and become trapped in the lungs, they can block the oxygen supply, cause heart failure and result in death. About 600,000 cases of acute pulmonary embolism are diagnosed each year in the United States, and an estimated 300,000 patients die, noted Kuo. "If initiated early, minimally invasive catheter-directed therapy could save many of those lives," added the lead author of the study, "Catheter-directed Therapy for the Treatment of Massive Pulmonary Embolism: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Modern Techniques."

source: PR Newswire

GE Healthcare and Veran Medical Technologies Announce Imaging and Navigation Collaboration for Interventional Procedures at RSNA 2009

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – December 1, 2009 – Today, GE Healthcare, a $17 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), and Veran Medical Technologies, Inc., announced that they have collaborated to validate the compatibility of the Veran ig4 Navigation system and GE Innova® imaging systems for use in the imaging suites during interventional procedures. The announcement was made at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2009 meeting in Chicago, Ill.

Veran ig4 is a multi-modality navigation system that utilizes electromagnetic localization and image fusion to display an interventional instrument, such as a biopsy needle, an aspiration needle, or an ablation needle, on a computer monitor that also displays a CT-based model of the target organ(s). GE’s Innova imaging systems acquire computerized tomography (CT)-like patient images, which under the terms of the collaboration agreement, can be exported to the Veran ig4 Navigation system in the same imaging suite, during the same interventional procedure. The Innova CT image will be displayed along with a virtual needle over the anatomy to be used for navigation during the procedure. The resulting displayed image will provide navigation information to help physicians insert biopsy needles, ablation (RF, cryotherapy, and microwave) probes and other devices through the skin more quickly and with greater target accuracy. “This can help speed procedures, freeing procedure room time and improving access to care while enhancing quality of care. We anticipate this collaboration will help clinicians to achieve greater accuracy, perform procedures more quickly and potentially reduce radiation dose to patients,” Jayant Saha, General Manager, Strategic Interventional Market Development for GE Healthcare.

source: GE Healthcare

Sentinelle Medical and Siemens AG Collaborating on Solutions for Interventional Prostate MRI

TORONTO, Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ - Sentinelle Medical Inc., a leading manufacturer of breast MRI coils and software, and Siemens Healthcare today announced at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, that they are collaborating on the development of a suite of innovative solutions for Interventional Prostate MRI.

According to the American Cancer Society, Prostate cancer will affect close to 200,000 men and cause 27,000 deaths this year (2009) in the US. Current screening technologies are limited in their ability to reliably detect prostate cancer. Prostate MRI shows significant promise to address these challenges. However, initial offerings offer limited signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) coverage for the prostate, and current interventional solutions lack the ability to combine with internal imaging coils.

Sentinelle and Siemens are working together to develop solutions that will address the challenges clinicians currently face in the use of MRI for imaging, intervention and treatment of prostate cancer. These solutions will address image quality, ease and accuracy of intervention, patient experience and workflow efficiency - all critical elements in the widespread adoption of prostate MRI. Sentinelle will be demonstrating Works-In-Progress for Prostate interventional MRI coils at RSNA 2009 (Booth 5800, Hall A).

"Prostate imaging provides unique challenges for imaging and intervention. Siemens and Sentinelle are dedicated to delivering solutions that can be easily integrated into the clinicians workflow, and positively impact patient outcomes," said Cameron Piron, Sentinelle's President and CEO. "With our combined focus, we are confident that we can address these challenges and enable greater access to this important technology."

source: PR Newswire

Interventional Radiology Procedure May Help Increase Chances of Long-Term Survival in Patients With Severe Liver Cancer

In patients with unresectable (unable to be removed by surgery) liver cancer, an interventional radiology procedure called triple-drug transcatheter arterial chemoemobolization (TACE) followed by a liver transplant may significantly increase a patient’s chance of long-term survival, according to a study published in the December issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.

Liver cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world and is responsible for more than 500,000 deaths worldwide annually. During triple-drug TACE, anti-cancer drugs are injected directly into the blood vessel feeding a cancerous tumor. An embolic agent is placed inside the blood vessels that supply blood to the tumor, in effect trapping the chemotherapy in the tumor.

The study, performed at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine in Los Angeles, included 124 patients with unresectable liver cancer. Twenty-eight patients underwent triple-drug TACE followed by a liver transplantation; 96 patients underwent triple-drug TACE only. “In our study, patients who underwent triple-drug TACE followed by liver transplantation showed the longest survival,” said Antoinette S. Gomes, M.D., lead author of the study. The median survival in the transplant recipient group was 112.80 months. In the no-transplant group, the median survival was 15.75 months.

source: ARRS

Study Finds Interventional Radiology Treatment for Pulmonary Embolism Saves Lives

Researchers in the November Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology have revealed that catheter-directed therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis—an interventional radiology treatment that uses targeted image-guided drug delivery with specially designed catheters to dissolve dangerous blood clots in the lungs—saves lives and should be considered a first-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism.

"Modern catheter-directed therapy for acute pulmonary embolism saves lives, and we need to raise awareness about its safety and effectiveness not only among the general public but also within the medical community. It's a matter of life and death," said William Kuo, M.D., an interventional radiologist who is assistant professor and fellowship director of vascular and interventional radiology in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, Calif. "In our study, we conclude that modern catheter-directed therapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism and should be considered as a first-line treatment option," he added.

source: MedIndia

When seconds count: Interventional radiology treatment for pulmonary embolism saves lives

FAIRFAX, Va.—Catheter-directed therapy or catheter-directed thrombolysis—an interventional radiology treatment that uses targeted image-guided drug delivery with specially designed catheters to dissolve dangerous blood clots in the lungs—saves lives and should be considered a first-line treatment option for massive pulmonary embolism, note researchers in the November Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology.

"Modern catheter-directed therapy for acute pulmonary embolism saves lives, and we need to raise awareness about its safety and effectiveness not only among the general public but also within the medical community. It's a matter of life and death," said William Kuo, M.D., an interventional radiologist who is assistant professor and fellowship director of vascular and interventional radiology in the Department of Radiology at Stanford University Medical Center in Stanford, Calif. "In our study, we conclude that modern catheter-directed therapy is a relatively safe and effective treatment for acute massive pulmonary embolism and should be considered as a first-line treatment option," he added.

Pulmonary embolism occurs when one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked from blood clots that break free and travel there. These clots most often begin as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots within the deep leg veins. When the clots break free, circulate and become trapped in the lungs, they can block the oxygen supply, cause heart failure and result in death. About 600,000 cases of acute pulmonary embolism are diagnosed each year in the United States, and an estimated 300,000 patients die, noted Kuo. "If initiated early, minimally invasive catheter-directed therapy could save many of those lives," added the lead author of the study, "Catheter-directed Therapy for the Treatment of Massive Pulmonary Embolism: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Modern Techniques."

source: Society of Interventional Radiology

Society Of Interventional Radiology Hosts Oncology Therapies Webinar, Offers Resources

Registration is now open for the Society of Interventional Radiology's "Image-guided Interventional Oncology (IO) Therapies" Webinar, which will provide the latest updates on percutaneous and transcatheter treatment of liver tumors, kidney tumor ablation and lung tumor ablation. SIR is a national organization of physicians, scientists and allied health professionals dedicated to improving public health through pioneering advances in image-guided therapy.

The Webinar, which will include a question-and-answer session, will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. (Eastern) on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The program's coordinator is Debra A. Gervais, M.D., associate director, Division of Abdominal Imaging and Intervention, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Instructors include Kamran Ahrar, M.D., associate professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Division of Diagnostic Imaging, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas; Joseph P. Erinjeri, M.D., Ph.D., assistant attending radiologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and assistant professor of radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, both in New York, N.Y.; and Kenneth J. Kolbeck, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor, Dotter Interventional Institute, Portland, Ore.

source: Society of Interventional Radiology

Toshiba Introduces The Infinix Vf-I/Bp Vascular X-Ray System With Large And Mid-Sized Flat Panel Detectors

Increasing the flexibility and diagnostic capabilities in bi-plane vascular X-ray imaging, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduces the all new Infinix™ VF-i/BP with large and mid-sized flat panel detectors. The large and mid-sized flat panel detectors provide clinicians with the ability to obtain critical variations in angle combinations while providing the necessary anatomical coverage, creating the optimal universal bi-plane vascular X-ray system for any clinical application.

The new Infinix VF-i/BP features Toshiba's new mid-sized 12" x 12" flat panel detector on the lateral plane, combined with the large 12" x 16" flat panel detector on the frontal plane to allow clinicians additional and steeper angle combinations. The combination of the mid-sized and large detector panels makes this system the most flexible bi-plane vascular X-ray system available.

“The Infinix VF-i/BP with mid-sized and large flat panel detectors is the optimal universal bi-plane system, as its range of angle combinations makes it perfect for cardiac, neuro and peripheral imaging all in one system,” said Robert Micer, director, X-ray Vascular Business Unit, Toshiba. “The unique C-arm design of the Inifinix-i greatly increases workflow and patient safety as it grants physicians unprecedented access to the patient, ancillary equipment, and fellow physicians.”


source: Toshiba Medical

Stentviz, an Innovative Visualization Tool For Assessing Stent Positioning, Spotlighted By GE Healthcare At TCT 2009

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – September 24, 2009 – Minimizing risk is important within all medical procedures, but is critical during the deployment of a new stent. GE Healthcare, the $17 billion division of General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), will highlight ainnovative solution for assessing stent positioning and deployment during interventional procedures. The announcement was made at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2009 meeting in San Francisco, California.

StentViz™ provides enhanced stent visualization when used with GE’s Innova™ digital X-ray cardiovascular imaging system. New stent designs, their low metal content, biodegradable materials, steep angulation and fast stent motion can obscure stent visibility. Innova with StentViz easily assesses stent positioning and deployment by clearly visualizing stent borders and details from patient images. Unlike other technologies, it automatically detects both the guidewire and the stent markers to perform an elastic registration that allows the system to compensate for non-rigid stent deformation. In addition, StentViz detects and removes radio-opaque objects for optimal stent visibility and robust performance.

source: GE Healthcare

Society Of Interventional Radiology Foundation Receives $1 Million Legacy Gift

The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation recently received a $1 million plannedgift donation to create a future scholarship fund for interventional radiology fellows to pursue this medical profession. SIR Foundation is dedicated to advancing the clinical needs of interventional radiology by specializing in developing investigators trained in conducting pivotal basic and clinical trials research.

"This enormously generous gift supports the future training of interventional radiology fellows, helping to bring new talented clinicians to the field. In this way, interventional radiology will continue to improve patient care and to change the face of modern medicine," said Michael D. Darcy, M.D., FSIR, SIR Foundation chair. "This type of focused support is critical to the future of interventional radiology," added the interventional radiologist who is the chief of interventional radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Mo.

"We want to make certain that SIR Foundation, an organization we've believed in and supported, will still be doing its job long after we're gone. So, we decided it was time to start making definite plans to help ensure interventional radiology's future as well as that of our family," said Michael E. Edwards, M.D., FSIR, an interventional radiologist with Imaging Associates of North Mississippi in Corinth. He contributed the planned-gift donation with spouse Sherri Edwards.

source: Society of Interventional Radiology

Radiological Treatment Method Spares Patients Invasive Surgery and Offers 89 Percent Cost Savings over Ordinary Surgical Technique

Pericardial effusion, the collection of fluid around the heart, typically occurs in patients following heart surgery and is usually treated using an invasive surgical drainage technique. However researchers have discovered that a minimally invasive procedure called CT-guided tube pericardiostomy is just as effective — requiring no recovery time, fewer resources, and provides an 89 percent cost savings over the surgical drainage technique, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR).

The study, performed at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, included 39 CT-guided tube pericardiostomy procedures that were all performed successfully.

“Patients having the procedure required only local anesthesia and no post-treatment recovery time,” said Suzanne L. Palmer, MD, lead author of the study. “Comparison of procedure charges at our institution showed an 89 percent cost savings with CT-guided tube pericardiostomy instead of surgical drainage. We found that the total charge for a CT-guided procedure was only $769.15; the total charge for a surgical drainage procedure was $6,952.52,” she said.

source: ARRS

Interventional Radiology Treatment For Uterine Fibroids: Safe, Nonsurgical Option

Uterine fibroid embolization--a minimally invasive interventional radiology treatment for women that cuts off blood flow to painful fibroids to kill the tumors--is highlighted as an appropriate treatment for women in a Clinical Therapeutics article in the Aug. 13 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"UFE (also called uterine artery embolization or UAE) is a safe, effective and minimally invasive option for women to consider. This is especially significant news for the more than 300,000 women who have hysterectomies performed annually in the United States to treat symptomatic uterine fibroids. Many of these women can confidently choose UFE, and this could significantly decrease the hysterectomy rate in the United States," said Scott C. Goodwin, M.D., FSIR, an interventional radiologist who co-authored the journal article "Uterine Fibroid Embolization."


source: Society of Interventional Radiology

Avoiding Hysterectomy: Major Interventional Radiology E-collection Info Available

FAIRFAX, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time, the Society of Interventional Radiology has assembled a major electronic collection of professional articles about uterine artery embolization, a treatment directed toward a number of conditions involving the uterus -- most often adverse health effects that may occur due to the presence of uterine fibroids. The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology "virtual" collection allows health care providers and the public to view the abstracts on current research on this topic in one place, eliminating the need to search topics individually.

Uterine fibroids are very common noncancerous growths that develop in the muscular wall of the uterus. Hysterectomy, surgical removal of the uterus performed by a gynecologist, is the most common treatment for symptomatic uterine fibroids. In fact, more than 200,000 women in the United States have hysterectomies for fibroids each year; it is the second most common surgery among women. However, most women are candidates for uterine artery embolization (also called uterine fibroid embolization). "Uterine artery embolization is a treatment method for fibroids that is relatively noninvasive and has high success rates. Women with fibroids and their health care providers should be aware of this therapy. This collection assembles relevant information about the interventional radiology treatment in one convenient place," explained Albert A. Nemcek Jr., M.D., FSIR, editor of JVIR, a peer-reviewed, monthly publication long recognized for its exceptional quality and influence as an academic and professional resource.

source: PR Newswire

Next Generation VenaCure EVLT Varicose Vein Treatment Now Provided By Bay Area Interventional Radiology

San Francisco, Calif. (PRWEB) July 13, 2009 -- Bay Area Interventional Radiology announces the introduction of the VenaCure EVLT laser varicose veins treatment.

"Varicose veins are an issue for 25% of women as well as 15% of men," said Dr. Kok Chong of Bay Area Interventional Radiology, located at 815 Hyde Street, Suite 100A, San Francisco. "If they're not properly treated they can lead to greater problems. Fortunately for those who've backed away from the traditional method of treating varicose veins - called vein stripping - it is now being eclipsed by a new laser procedure called VenaCure EVLT."

If varicose veins are left untreated or are ignored as largely cosmetic problem spots, ulcers can result from long-term fluid buildup and the increased pressure of blood within affected veins. A brown colored spot on the skin usually appears before an ulcer forms. Blood clots, especially in less visible veins deeper in the leg, can also pose problems.

Doctor Juan Esteva of Bay Area Interventional Radiology said, "VenaCure EVLT takes less than an hour in our office. The patient has no need for a stay in the hospital. Problematic symptoms show near immediate relief. Patients find there is practically no scarring and no tedious recovery time, nor significant side effects. The procedure has a reported 98% success rate according to recent clinical evidence. It's the new standard of care."

source: PR Web

Successful Neurosurgery With Transcranial MR-guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound

The Magnetic Resonance Center of the University Children's Hospital Zurich has achieved a world first break through in MR-guided, non-invasive neurosurgery. Ten patients have been successfully treated by means of transcranial high-intensity focused ultrasound. This fully non-invasive procedure opens new horizons for neurosurgery and the treatment of different neurological brain disorders.

In the context of a clinical study at the MR Center of the University Children's Hospital Zurich transcranial MR-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for brain surgery has been successfully applied for the first time world-wide. A research team under the direction of Professor Daniel Jeanmonod, neurosurgeon at the Department of Functional Neurosurgery of the Neurosurgical Clinic at the University Hospital Zurich and Professor Ernst Martin, director of the Magnetic Resonance Center at the University Children's Hospital Zurich succeeded in proving the safety and efficacy of this revolutionary surgical method which permits fully non-invasive brain interventions even on an out-patient basis.

source: Medical News Today

MDCT Angiography Helps Lead to Successful Treatment of Patients with Severely Blocked Arteries in the Legs

MDCT angiography leads to accurate recommendations for successful treatment of patients with critical limb ischemia, sometimes allowing the patients to avoid more complicated surgery, according to a study performed at the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

The study included 28 patients with severely blocked peripheral arteries. MDCT angiography indicated that nine patients should undergo non-surgical endovascular treatment such as percutaneous angioplasties or stent placement. Seven patients had surgery and two had a combination of treatments. “MDCT angiography identified the correct treatment in 18 patients,” said Rudiger Schernthaner, MD, lead author of the study. In addition, MDCT angiography indicated that ten patients could or did not need to undergo any treatment.

“The reported incidence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is 15.5 cases per 1,000 person-years, and the prevalence is 4.5% among men older than 55,” he said.

Our findings indicate that MDCT angiography does lead to accurate recommendations in the management of critical limb ischemia. It puts patients at a low risk for developing complications and can be performed on an outpatient basis. This compares to the current reference standard for complete delineation of the peripheral arteries, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which is a time- and cost-intensive procedure during which the investigator and the patients are exposed to ionizing radiation,” said Dr. Schernthaner.

source: ARRS

Interventional Radiology For Treating Conditions Specific To Women

Interventional radiology is a dynamic and innovative specialty. In the last ten years new image guided therapies for uterine myomata, infertility, pelvic pain, osteoporosis, and varicose veins have largely been developed. Interventional Radiology in Women's Health, published by Thieme, focuses on women's health and the expanding role of interventional radiology within this pioneering area of medicine.

"It is timely that a book focused on women's health has been written. Advances in women's health and the fact that women are more likely to investigate health alternatives for themselves and their families serve as an impetus for this text," states Robert I. White, Jr., MD, Professor of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven Connecticut.

source: Medical News Today

Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation awards $191,000 in grants

FAIRFAX, Va.—The Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation recently awarded 13 grants totaling more than $191,000 to encourage the development of interventional radiology research. Grant proposals were reviewed during SIR's 34th Annual Scientific Meeting in San Diego.

"SIR Foundation is proud to be able to contribute to the advancement of interventional radiology research. The SIR Foundation grant program is designed to benefit researchers at all levels—from medical students to established practitioners—and the grant program provides an excellent return on investment," said Mike Darcy, M.D., FSIR, Foundation chair. "SIR Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in grant funding over the past 15 years, and Foundation grant recipients have subsequently received more than $50 million in all source grant funding, with nearly $40 million being awarded by the National Institutes of Health," added the interventional radiologist at Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Ernest J. Ring Academic Development Grant Clifford R. Weiss, M.D., Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, in Baltimore, Md., has been named the recipient of the Society of Interventional Radiology Foundation's Dr. Ernest J. Ring Academic Development Grant for his research in "MR-guided Transplantation of Magnetoencapsulated Human Pancreatic Islet Cells in a Diabetic Swine Model." This grant, named after the founder of the SIR Foundation, is designed to provide support to junior interventional radiology faculty members early in their academic careers to allow time for the conduct of research. The goal of this program is to have the grant recipient subsequently obtain additional funding from other sources—for example, NIH grants.

source: SIR

Interventional Radiology: From Sidelines To Mainstream For Patients

The Society of Interventional Radiology hailed the extension of an American College of Radiology resolution in support of clinical patient management by vascular and interventional radiologists as an important reminder of the critical contribution these minimally invasive specialists bring to quality patient health care.

"Passage of ACR's Resolution 22 is a continued endorsement of interventional radiology's unique contribution of supporting innumerable clinical services while providing direct care," said SIR President Brian F. Stainken, M.D., FSIR. "Interventional radiologists provide patients with the least invasive and most advanced treatment options for a wide variety of medical conditions, offering less risk, less pain and less recovery time when compared to open surgery," noted Stainken. ACR endorsed interventional radiology's clinical patient-centered nature 10 years ago, recognizing that interventional radiologists need an office presence, time allocated to see patients, time to consult with referring physicians and time to see patients on the ward, said Stainken, an interventional radiologist at Roger Williams Medical Center in Providence, R.I. Reaffirmation of that policy came during ACR's 86th Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference May 5 in Washington, D.C.

source: Medical News Today

New Ultrasound-guided Biopsy Method Allows Improved Diagnosis Of Endometrial Disease

ScienceDaily (Apr. 19, 2009) — A procedure used in conjunction with a vaginal ultrasound might make it easier to visualize and diagnose diseases in the lining of the uterus, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

Physicians evaluated the endometrium, a cavity that lines the inside of the uterus, in women who were in the midst of or had gone through menopause and who complained of abnormal bleeding. Abnormal bleeding can indicate certain diseases of the endometrium that may or may not be malignant.

The current standard of care is to blindly biopsy the endometrium; however, the biopsy might not always sample the part of the cavity that is diseased.

A study available online and in the April issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology shows that using saline-infusion sonography (SIS), or ultrasound, a minimally invasive procedure, allows doctors to actually see where in the endometrium a polyp or growth exists and to biopsy it accordingly.

source: Science Daily Release

Patients Offered An MRI-Guided Biopsy To Detect Prostate Cancer

Earlier this month, Fox Chase Cancer Center became the first hospital in North America to offer an MRI guided biopsy to detect prostate cancer using Invivo Equipment in a clinical hospital setting. Pioneering new techniques for MRI-guided prostate interventions, Fox Chase is offering a new procedure for men with elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels who have had at least two negative transrectal ultrasound guided (TRUS) biopsies and whose doctors suspect cancer.

"Our first step is to take an endorectal coil MRI of the prostate with contrast enhancement," explains radiologist Barton N. Milestone, MD, director of MRI at Fox Chase, who was instrumental in bringing this technology to Fox Chase."Next, computer-aided software helps identify abnormal areas as shown through the enhancement activity. If suspicious tissue is found, the patient is considered a candidate for MRI guided biopsy."

source: Medical News Today

“Seeing” Stem Cells Helps in Fight Against Peripheral Arterial Disease

Unique Interventional Radiology Research Puts Puzzle Pieces Together
in Regenerating Blood Vessels to Open Clogged Arteries, Uses
Firefly-like Bioluminescence Imaging Agent

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (March 10, 2009)—Interventional radiologists are fitting together the puzzle pieces of how to use stem cells to create new or more blood vessels to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in those individuals with extensively narrowed or clogged arteries. That puzzle may be closer to being solved in light of recent successful techniques that use simple imaging to view and locate
transplanted stem cells and to confirm that they remain alive in the body once injected, notes a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s 34th Annual Scientific Meeting.

PAD, which affects about 10 million Americans, is a chronic disease that progressively restricts blood flow causing poor blood circulation (generally in the legs) and if left untreated can lead to serious medical complications, including heart attack, stroke, amputation and death. Many people can manage the
symptoms of PAD and stop its progression through lifestyle changes. If lifestyle changes are not enough, additional medical treatment may be needed, including prescribed medicine to prevent blood clots, lower blood pressure and cholesterol and control pain.

source: Socirty of Interventional Radiologists

iCAD Debuts New CT Colon CAD Solution to Aid Radiologists in the Detection of Polyps During Review of Virtual Colonoscopy Exams

iCAD, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICAD), an industry-leading provider of advanced image analysis and workflow solutions for the early identification of cancer, today announces the debut of its CT colonography (CTC) product at the European Society of Radiology’s annual meeting being held in Vienna, Austria, from March 6-10, 2009.

“iCAD is focused on helping clinicians find the most prevalent cancers by detecting areas of concern, improving workflow and providing early diagnosis for patients worldwide,” said Ken Ferry, President and CEO of iCAD. “We have received great support from U.S. and European radiologists for our Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) products for digital and analog mammography as well as for breast and prostate MRI. This year we are expanding into CTC, also known as virtual colonoscopy, which we expect will have a positive impact on the number of patients undergoing this important diagnostic procedure.”

CTC is an accurate alternative to colonoscopy for polyp detection. Since virtual colonoscopy requires no sedation, people receiving a CTC exam are able to return to their normal activities immediately following the examination. By incorporating CAD with virtual colonoscopy, radiologists have the option of using an image analysis tool that may aid them in detecting early-stage polyps as they are provided a list of CAD marks with potential polyp locations clearly marked for their inspection.

source:iCAD

Immersion Delivers First-Ever Haptic Medical Simulation for New Lung Cancer Diagnostic Procedure

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, announces a new way to accurately and efficiently train pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons on a breakthrough emerging procedure for diagnosing and staging lung cancer. The maker of the industry’s only haptic-enabled bronchoscopy simulator delivered a new module, Endobronchial Ultrasound with Transbronchial Needle Aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). It provides realistic multi-modal (sight, sound, and touch) virtual reality training for this difficult but highly accurate procedure that diagnoses and stages lung cancer, the cause of the most cancer deaths worldwide. It is the first and only haptic-enabled endoscopy simulator designed for EBUS-TBNA.

“This market-first simulation keeps Immersion at the forefront of innovation in highly sophisticated medical training that helps improve the quality of healthcare all over the world,” said Daniel Chavez, senior vice president and general manager of Immersion’s Medical line of business. “By combining realistic touch feedback with our virtual reality environments that provide true-to-life simulation, Immersion is helping more and more doctors become skilled at critical new techniques that can save lives every day.”

source: Immersion Corporation

Society Of Interventional Radiology's 34th Annual Scientific Meeting

Nearly 5,300 physicians, scientists and allied health professionals are expected to attend the Society of Interventional Radiology's 34th Annual Scientific Meeting March 7-12 at the San Diego Convention Center. Scientific press conferences are scheduled for 9-10:30 a.m. on both Monday, March 9, and Tuesday, March 10 in Room 15A.

The Annual Scientific Meeting offers

* almost 400 scientific presentations and posters covering the newest trends in interventional radiology research

* nearly 150 technical exhibits and product demonstrations

* opportunity to interview experts in interventional radiology

To register online visit: http://www.SIRmeeting.org

Olympus introduces first endoscopic ultrasound processor for digestive and pulmonary diseases

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 16, 2009 - Olympus America Inc. today announced the launch of EU-ME1, the worlds first universal endoscopic ultrasound processor to combine electronic and mechanical scanning for both gastrointestinal and pulmonary diseases in a single device. This technology could allow doctors to more conveniently diagnose and stage pancreatic, lung, esophageal and stomach cancer, as well as other diseases.

Consolidating both processors is a practical and efficient solution for identifying and assessing the extent of disease in both the digestive and respiratory systems, said Dr. Robert Hawes, professor of medicine, Digestive Disease Center, Medical University of South Carolina. Many of Olympus ultrasound endoscopes and probes that previously required different processors can now be used with one system -- possibly reducing cost and procedure time while providing the best quality imaging with color Doppler and electronic scanning.

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) combine endoscopy and ultrasound in order to obtain the most accurate, high-resolution images and information about the digestive and bronchial tracts and the surrounding tissue and organs. By guiding an endoscope with an ultrasound transducer at its tip, sound beyond the range of human hearing is emitted within body cavities and creates images of the targeted areas. The applications for EUS and EBUS have continued to expand and are now used to assess several types of cancer.

source: Olympus

SenoRx Expands Labeling for Contura(tm) MLB and Introduces Contura Shape Select(r) MLB

IRVINE, Calif., Feb 9, 2009 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- SenoRx, Inc. (Nasdaq:SENO) today announced expanded labeling for its larger-size Contura(tm) Multi-Lumen Radiation Balloon (MLB) catheter, which reflects the broader clinical capabilities included in the device's 510(k) clearance received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2008.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5871

"The novel proprietary design of our new Contura Shape Select(r) MLB provides enhanced flexibility to clinicians in appropriately fitting the lumpectomy cavity with one balloon catheter, which may be adjusted into different sizes," said Lloyd Malchow, SenoRx President and Chief Executive Officer. "The label will now indicate Contura's suitability for lumpectomy cavities with dimensions ranging from 4.5 to 6 centimeters, compared to the previous labeling of 5 to 6 centimeters. In addition, our new Contura balloon not only offers multiple lumens for contouring the radiation dosage and flexibility in size, but also offers the ability to change shape from oval to spherical based upon inflation volumes to accommodate different sized cavities."

"The expanded labeling may allow this new Contura Shape Select MLB to fit a greater number of patients where a balloon is appropriate. This device may also make inventory management easier and less expensive for customers since it may allow them to stock a single device with the ability to accommodate a greater range of sizes. SenoRx is launching a new promotional campaign to introduce the new Contura Shape Select MLB (see attached graphic)," added Malchow.

source: SenoRx

11-Gauge Needle Better Than 14-Gauge in Breast Biopsy

Stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast needle biopsy, a common minimally invasive biopsy method used in the US, is more effective with an 11-gauge needle than the 14-gauge needle decreasing a physician’s chances of false-negative diagnoses, according to a study performed at the Stanford University School of Medicine in Stanford, CA.

The study included 1,280 breast lesions that were consecutively biopsied using a 14-gauge or 11-gauge vacuum needle. Results showed that cancer was missed in 3/68 cases (4.5%) using the 14-gauge needle and in only 2/440 (0.45%) cases using the 11-gauge needle. “The 11 gauge is more accurate than the 14,” said Roger Jackman, MD, lead author of the study.

“Specimens obtained with both needles are the same length, but those with the 11-gauge needle are larger in diameter and volume which presumably leads to the better results with the 11-gauge needle. Most women say the procedure is very tolerable with less discomfort than a trip to the dentist for a filling. I feel there is much more concern waiting for the results of the biopsy rather than the procedure itself,” said Dr. Jackman. “Any woman undergoing a biopsy and physician performing a biopsy wants safety and accuracy. Accuracy is absolutely critical,” he said.

source: ARRS

Cook Medical Launches New Interventional Radiology Business Unit to Further Advance Fundamental and Critical Field of Medical Care

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Committed to broadening and reinvigorating the field of interventional radiology, Cook Medical today launches its Interventional Radiology Strategic Business Unit (SBU), which will support interventional radiologists who now perform many oncology, non-vascular and venous procedures in addition to angiographic procedures. The new SBU is dedicated to advancing the field of interventional radiology through significant investments in the development of new medical devices and technologies, which will empower and enable interventional radiologists to improve patient outcomes with skills and procedures best performed in interventional radiology labs.

The field of interventional radiology, which Cook has strongly supported since its inception in the 1960s, has been at the forefront of the medical community in the movement towards image guided, minimally invasive procedures. These procedures have revolutionized medicine by diminishing the need for open surgeries, thereby reducing pain, complication rates and recovery times for patients, while at the same time saving hospitals millions of dollars annually. However, in many cases, interventional radiology is still underutilized around the world. Procedures done in interventional radiology labs have been shown to be more cost-effective and beneficial to patients.

Additionally as the life expectancy of the world’s population continues to rise, cancer is expected to be the number one killer in adults by 2010, according to the World Health Organization. This trend further elevates the importance of interventional radiology technologies, which can utilize embolization, localized delivery of chemotherapy, ablative techniques and other strategies to treat cancer.

"As life expectancies expand and the number of minimally invasive procedures continue to grow, interventional radiologists are becoming an even more integral part of the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases,” noted John A. Kaufman, M.D., professor of interventional radiology, Dotter Interventional Institute at Oregon Health & Science University and president of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR). “The SIR is pleased that Cook has made this commitment to interventional radiology and we look forward to working with them to advance this critical field of medicine.”

source: Business Wire

EkoSonic™ Ultrasound Delivery Reduces Dose of Clot-Busting Drugs and May Lessen Risk of Bleeding in Peripheral Thrombolysis

January 23, 2009 -- Everyone is familiar with drug-eluting catheter systems, used in the coronary arteries. Delivered as a stent, these catheters dispense drugs into the artery to reduce blockages from recurring. But now, in a completely different application in the leg arteries, an innovative catheter-based ultrasound system has been shown to reduce the need for so-called clot-dissolving drugs by 50%. Since a well-known side-effect of such drugs is bleeding, a technology that reduces the amount of drug needed may have significant beneficial impact on clinical outcomes. Once the clot is dissolved, the patient can then be treated with angioplasty, stents or medical therapy.

In November at the VEITHsymposium and on Tuesday at the ISET 2009 meeting, studies were presented and a live case was transmitted to demonstrate how this ultrasound-enhanced delivery device, the EkoSonic™ Endovascular System with Rapid Pulse™ Modulation, could reduce the amount of drugs needed to break up dangerous blood clots in the legs and pelvis.

source: angioplasty.org

Johnson Medtech's Non-Magnetic Motors Power The World's First MRI-Guided Prostate Cancer Treatment Device

Johnson Medtech, the medical products division of Johnson Electric, one of the world's largest providers of motion actuators, today announced its participation in creating the world's first MRI-compatible image-guided tumor treatment device with Profound Medical Inc.(PMI). This revolutionary tissue coagulation device is expected to treat prostate cancer in a fraction of the time and cost of existing methods, based on extensive modeling, simulation and pre-clinical trials. Critical to the success of the system, Johnson Medtech's non-magnetic "Nanomotion" actuators enable the precision of motion and accuracy of treatment necessary for safely conducting the image-guided prostate cancer therapy within the strong magnetic field of the MRI.

PMI's device uses an MRI for imaging and a proprietary planar ultrasound applicator for treatment. The MRI precisely guides the probe that heats the cancerous tissue to effectively destroy the diseased area. In the past, the magnetic nature of electric motors and their metal components made it impossible for motorized medical devices to function within the MRI environment. To overcome this challenge, PMI selected Nanomotion's HR2-1-N-3 piezo ultrasonic non-magnetic motors to rotate the device's probe. When combined with the real-time non-invasive visibility into the human body provided by the MRI, the sophisticated low-speed Nanomotion actuators in PMI's device enable medical professionals to operate the probe at a microscopic scale to conduct this groundbreaking procedure.

source: Medical News Today

Philips and Hansen Medical to Integrate X-Ray Imaging and Robotic Catheter to Advance Treatment of Irregular Heartbeats

MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA, Jan 14, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Royal Philips Electronics and Hansen Medical, Inc. today announced that they have signed joint development and cooperation agreements to co-develop integrated products that may simplify complex cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias.

Cardiac arrhythmias can drastically reduce the quality of life and can also lead to serious health risks including heart failure and stroke. Nearly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the United States each year and arrhythmias cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation and the American College of Cardiology. The condition also affects over 4.5 million people in Europe.

The agreements will enable the creation of integrated product solutions by combining Philips' Allura Xper X-Ray system with Hansen Medical's Sensei(R) Robotic Catheter System. The resulting innovations will seek to enable electrophysiologists to perform complex procedures with greater confidence and improved efficiency.

source: Marketwatch