Varian Medical Systems completes acquisition of
ACCEL Instruments GmbH
Varian Medical Systems has completed the acquisition of research instrument
and proton therapy system supplier ACCEL Instruments GmbH for approximately
$30 million. 31 Jan 2007
Microwave
ovens can sterilise kitchen sponges
Microwaving kitchen sponges and plastic scrubbers — known to be common
carriers of the bacteria and viruses that cause food-borne illnesses —
sterilizes them rapidly and effectively, according to University of Florida
(UF) engineering researchers. 31 Jan 2007
Hospitals should be designed for holistic healing
not just sickness
Hospitals and other health-care facilities will look more like hotels or
resorts to give a holistic environment, and less like the institutional,
often inconveniently designed buildings of today, says a Purdue University
construction expert. 31 Jan 2007
Rapid flu testing decreases antibiotic use
Rapid influenza testing is associated with reductions in the use of
antibiotics in hospitalized adults, according to a study published on Archives
of Internal Medicine online. 31 Jan 2007
Philips wins €27 million contract for digital
radiography systems in China
Royal Philips Electronics has signed an agreement with Ascent Profit, a
leading Chinese medical equipment wholesaler, to supply 200 high-end
radiography systems for small and medium-sized hospitals. 30 Jan 2007
Home blood-pressure monitor market to reach $1bn
by 2010
The world market for home-use digital blood pressure monitors is worth
almost $800 million. The increase in hypertension and use of telehealth will
lead to growth of 6.7% per year, taking it to $1 billion by 2010, according
to a report by InMedica. 30 Jan 2007
Bulgaria pilots electronic health cards
The Bulgarian National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) is carrying out a pilot
project for electronic health cards involving 1,000 patients. The
project will be implemented by ICW and Cisco. 30 Jan 2007
CT imaging locates site of bowel perforation
Multidetector CT (MDCT) without the use of contrast media can show the
precise site of a bowel perforation, avoiding the need for surgeons to do
exploratory surgery of the patient’s gastrointestinal tract to locate the
problem, a new study shows. 28 Jan 2007
GE to acquire two core diagnostics businesses from
Abbott for $8.13bn
GE is to buy the in vitro diagnostics and point-of-care diagnostics
businesses from Abbott in a move that will
broaden GE Healthcare’s diagnostic offerings, complementing its diagnostic
imaging systems, molecular imaging, information technology, and patient
monitoring capabilities. 28 Jan 2007
Siemens takes over German healthcare IT company
GSD
The acquisition strengthens Siemens' position in the healthcare IT sector
and gives it a large installed base of 300 customers in 14 countries. 26 Jan
2007
Definiens unveils development strategy for 4D
image analysis software for cell biology
Definiens AG, has announced its development strategy for its high-content
cell biology image analysis application, Definiens Cellenger. Definiens
Cellenger creates much deeper insights into image data, while providing a
flexible environment to accelerate the drug development process. 25 Jan 2007
Nikon to distribute Aperio digital pathology products in Europe
Nikon Instruments
Europe will distribute the
full line of Aperio Technologies' ScanScope slide-scanning systems and Spectrum
digital pathology information management software to the clinical market. 25
Jan 2007
University Medical Center Utrecht acquires 3D
surgery imaging workstations
The University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands, has signed a
contract with 3mensio Medical Imaging BV for the development and delivery
and of its 3surgery workstations to convert 2D CT and MRI images into 3D
images for the specific needs of vascular surgeons. 25 Jan 2007
US college wins grant to develop portable device
to detect bird flu and bioterrorism agents
The Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee has been awarded a five-year,
$8.1 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Institute of
Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to develop a rapid, miniaturized,
automated diagnostic device to test for avian flu and the majority of
potential bioterrorism agents. 23 January 2007
Pointsec solution controls copying of data onto
USB storage devices
Pointsec Mobile Technologies has launched the Pointsec Device Protector to
control access to data through the security weak points of computer ports
and portable storage devices. The new system secures data access through a
combination of port management, content filtering and optional media
encryption. 23 January 2007
Global public health network funded by $20 Million
Gates Foundation grant
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a five-year grant of nearly
$20 million to Emory University and Finland's National Public Health
Institute, KTL (Kansanterveyslaitos) to support the International
Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI). 18 Jan 2006
Advanced Neuromodulation Systems receives European
approval
for pain-control device.
The Rapid Programmer 3.0 allows fine control of electrical stimulation of
selected nerve fibres in the spinal chord to manage chronic pain. 18 Jan
2006
EP MedSystems and Philips launch new ultrasound
platform for cath lab
The new ViewMate II ultrasound system is based on Philips' HD11 XE platform
and has been developed for use with EP MedSystems’ ViewFlex intracardiac
(ICE) imaging catheters. 16 Jan 2007
Video game gives real-world experiences of
nanomedicine
NanoMission is a PC-based game that educates
players about basic concepts in nanoscience through real-world practical
applications from microelectronics to drug delivery. 16 Jan 2007
Consumer electronics companies move into
over-the-counter healthcare devices
Consumer electronics companies are exploiting the growing demand for devices
and services that help people remain trim, fit and mentally alert, according
to a report by UK analysts Wireless Healthcare. 15 Jan 2007
Roche Diagnostics launches cobas e 411 immunoassay
analyzer
Roche Diagnostics has released its next generation bench-top immunoassay
analyzer, the cobas e 411 aimed at the low- to mid- volume immunoassay
market. 15 Jan 2007
Gemalto qualifies for Germany's 80m healthcare
smartcard programme
Gemalto has been chosen to supply its secure microprocessor-based smartcards
to Germany's healthcare programme. The first trial phase commenced in
December 2006, involving 70,000 units in 7 regions. A larger scale
experimentation of 300,000 cards is due to start in 2007, which will be
followed by mass deployment. 12 Jan 2007
Boston Scientific to shed 500 jobs in cardiac
product reorganisation
The move is to restore confidence in its cardiac rhythm management products,
regain market share and make product development more efficient. 11 Jan 2007
Adoption of new technology needs to be
evidence-based to reduce health care costs
Advances in medical technology are a main factor driving the trend of
increasing health care costs. Including evidence-based decision-making in
the healthcare coverage process would ensure that use of new therapy and
technology is tied to evidence of clinical benefit. 11 Jan 2006
ART extends distribution agreement with GE
Healthcare
ART Advanced Research Technologies Inc. has announced the extension of its
current agreement with GE Healthcare for the exclusive worldwide
distribution of its eXplore Optix preclinical optical molecular imaging
system. 11 Jan 2007
Varian to acquire German proton therapy system
supplier ACCEL Instruments
The acquisition, which will cost about $30m, will enable Varian to offer
products for delivering image-guided, intensity modulated proton therapy for
selected cancer patients. 11 Jan 2007
One-third of implanted heart devices may be
unnecessary
A new study has found that a large number of patients with implanted cardiac
devices may not benefit from them and that a simple heart-rhythm test can
tell who will not benefit. 10 Jan 2007
Siemens completes takeover of Bayer’s Diagnostic
Division
Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics was formed on 1st January from Bayer
Diagnostics and Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC). The new unit enables
Siemens to bring together the entire medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics
and clinical IT value chain under one roof. 10 Jan 2007
Carbon-metal
hybrid nanowires open door to new nanoelectronic devices
Hybrid structures that combine the best properties of carbon nanotubes and
metal nanowires could lead to new applications in computer chips, displays,
sensors and other electronic devices.
9 Jan 2007
MRI improves treatment of ankle pain.
MR imaging can make a dramatic difference in the management of patients with
ankle pain, changing treatment in about one-third of the patients, a new
study finds. 9 Jan 2007
Nanotechnology safety in workplace neglected
Little is known about the potential risks of nanotechnology even though
there are more than 400 products on the market. A strategic plan and more
resources for risk research are needed now in order to ensure safe nano-workplaces.
9 Jan 2007
Inverness Medical Innovations and Procter & Gamble
in consumer diagnostics venture
Inverness will contribute its related consumer diagnostic assets, other than
manufacturing and core intellectual property assets and P&G will acquire its interest for a cash payment of
US$325 Million. 4 Jan 2007
Indian in vitro diagnostics market surpasses
$250 Million in 2006
A new study from Kalorama Information, Clinical Diagnostics in India,
estimates in vitro diagnostics (IVD) revenues topped $250 million in 2006
and will show double-digit growth rates over the next three years. 4 Jan
2007
Collaboration to develop microscopy image
analysis software
The Max Planck
Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG) and Transinsight
GmbH have entered into a three-year collaboration to develop knowledge-based image analysis
software. 4 Jan 2007
Brain imaging identifies early Alzheimer’s
A new chemical marker developed by researchers at the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA), enables PET scans to highlight abnormal
brain proteins in patients years before Alzheimer’s can be diagnosed with
current methods. 3 Jan 2007
December 2006 >>
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