November 5, 2010 – New research shows that novel drug-coated balloon technology is being adopted in niche applications throughout Europe. The research, from the Millenium Research Group, also found that the market will continue to grow as physicians increasingly use the balloons when other devices are not suitable.

November 5, 2010 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted 510(k) clearance for the latest version of a cardiovascular ultrasound system. The GE Healthcare Vivid E9 Breakthrough 2011 (BT11) is built for 4-D imaging and features elements designed to help improve image quality, quantification and workflow.

November 4, 2010 – GE Healthcare has signed an exclusive collaboration agreement with West Physics Consulting to provide accreditation support. The agreement will support customers seeking accreditation from the American College of Radiology (ACR) for MRI, CT, nuclear medicine and PET systems.

November 3, 2010 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new stent delivery system for clinical practice in the United States. The Talent Thoracic Stent Graft with Captivia delivery system, by Medtronic, features a tip capture mechanism for controlled deployment and precise placement of the implantable medical device.

November 3, 2010 – A multicenter CE-mark study has been launched for transapical TAVI system. Hendrik Treede, M.D., performed the first implantations of the system, made by JenaValve, at the Universitäres Herzzentrum Hamburg.

November 3, 2010 – The first patient has been enrolled into a study comparing a left atrial appendage (LAA) closure device to warfarin therapy in those with atrial fibrillation. The PREVAIL study will look at Atritech’s Watchman LAA closure device.

Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington, Ky., enrolled the first patient.

November 2, 2010 – Boston Scientific will sell its neurovascular business to Stryker for $1.5 billion in cash. Of that purchase price, $1.4 billion will be paid at closing, and the remaining $100 million will be paid upon commercialization of the Target Detachable Coils. Several manufacturing facilities will also be transferred to Stryker.

November 1, 2010 - After a heart attack victim stops breathing, a process of irreversible brain damage starts to occur within three to four minutes. But a new technique may significantly delay that damage.

Several upgrades are now available on Toshiba’s Viamo ultrasound system, including ApliPure Plus, Tissue Pure Imaging, a new high-frequency, tightly curved transducer and a DICOM structured reporting. Viamo combines the portability of a laptop system with advanced radiology features. The new upgrades enable clinicians to perform advanced exams with greater image definition and clinical accuracy without compromising on patient access. Its unique hinged display allows it to be configured in either a tablet presentation for ease of use or in a laptop mode for in-depth exams.

The Titan 3T is a works-in-progress magnetic resonance (MR) system from Toshiba. The system has several patient-friendly features that are designed to improve the exam experience.

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