Siemens Digital Radiography Innovation with Wireless Detector Receives FDA Clearance

Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) has received FDA 510(k) market clearance for the Ysio™, a new generation digital radiography system with a wireless detector (wi-D™) for maximum positioning flexibility.

Offering one digital radiography (DR) solution for virtually all clinical demands of the growing digital radiography market, the Ysio can be customized to suit the patient’s needs – such as one or two detectors, with or without a patient table, and with fully automated or synchronized movements. Due to its versatility, the Ysio serves radiography needs no matter what the imaging volume, protocols, or patient profiles, and its performance features geared toward short examination times make it an ideal system for increasing daily patient throughput.

Ysio is available in a variety of configurations based on customers imaging needs: as a wall stand with an integrated detector, a wall stand and table system with a wireless detector, or even as a mixed detector solution for high throughput and flexibility.

source: Siemens Healthcare

Philips expands healthcare business in emerging markets by acquiring India-based Alpha X-Ray Technologies

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Mumbai, India – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced it has reached an agreement to acquire India-based Alpha X-Ray Technologies. Alpha is a leading manufacturer of Cardiovascular X-Ray systems targeting the economy segment of the Indian market. Upon closing of this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2008, which is subject to certain contractual and other conditions such as regulatory approvals, Alpha will become part of the Cardiovascular X-Ray business within Philips’ Healthcare sector. Financial details of this agreement were not disclosed.

Today’s announcement marks Philips’ strong presence in high-growth healthcare market in emerging economies, and follows the earlier acquisitions of healthcare companies Brazilian Dixtal Biomédica e Tecnologia, Shenzhen Goldway Industrial in China and VMI Sistemas Medicos in Brazil. In commenting on the deal, Mr. Ronald de Jong, CEO Emerging Markets of Philips Healthcare, said: “The acquisition of Alpha is another great example of how Philips continues to strengthen its industrial and commercial footprint in emerging markets. It provides us with significant presence in the high-growth economy segment for Cardiovascular X-Ray systems, underlining our commitment to deliver affordable healthcare solutions in emerging markets.”

source: Philips

Carestream Health Unveils New Wireless Digital X-Ray Technology That Can Reduce Patient Wait Times

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A revolutionary new wireless digital imaging system from Carestream Health, Inc., promises to deliver higher productivity for hospital staffs and less time in the waiting room for patients. Carestream Health is one of the world’s leading providers of medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions.

The CARESTREAM DRX-1 System, which is in the final stages of development, is expected to greatly reduce the time required to conduct general x-ray exams compared to traditional film/screen systems. A standard patient x-ray exam with multiple images can be captured in less than one minute. That’s good news for not only patients, but also for healthcare providers. These providers are expected to be able to accommodate more patients per day without adding personnel or exam rooms.

This new digital radiography (DR) system is much less expensive than implementing other DR imaging systems since they require renovation of entire x-ray rooms. Healthcare providers will be able to purchase this system for about $125,000, which is up to 75 percent less than the cost of installing a new DR imaging system and retrofitting an x-ray room.

source: BusinessWire

Philips Unveils Dual-Axis Rotational Coronary Angiography Technology

At the European Society of Cardiology, Philips unveiled its latest advance in coronary angiography: XperSwing dual-axis rotational functionality. In a recent study, XperSwing allowed a reduction in the number of X-ray 'runs,' total radiation exposure and contrast medium dose.

XperSwing's fully automated 'C' arm operates on two axes simultaneously, enabling it to swing in a three-dimensional arc around the patient, providing a flexibility of movement that allows it to capture the required coronary images in fewer 'runs'.

source: Medical News Today