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May 2007

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GE receives FDA clearance for Carescape patient data-capture module
The module is small enough to stay with the patient to capture and store all patient measurements and ensures that the receiving nurse has a complete monitoring history when a patient arrives. 30 May 2007

The new Nikon Coolscop IINikon unveils Coolscope II microscope
Nikon Instruments has launched the Coolscope II, the latest version of its eye-piece-less microscope with digital camera and web server capabilities. 30 May 2007

Siemens demonstrates simultaneous imaging of the brain by MRI and PET
Siemens Medical Solutions has demonstrated a prototype system capable of performing simultaneously magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). It could lead to large advances in diagnosis and therapy for millions of patients suffering from neurological diseases, stroke and cancer. 24 May 2007

Breakdown of myelin in brain implicated in Alzheimer’s
New research suggests that it is the breakdown of myelin, a fatty coating of nerve cells, that promotes the build-up of toxic amyloid-beta fibrils that eventually deposit in the brain and become the plaques which have long been associated with Alzheimer’s disease. 24 May 2007

Dual EEG recording interaction between two peopleDual EEG study discovers new brain rhythm during social interaction
The discovery of a new brain neuromarker may prove to be a sensitive probe of neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia where the inability to have harmonious social interactions is problematic. This research also opens up untapped possibilities to identify the neural mechanisms of real-time social behaviour between humans. 22 May 2007

Philips and Traxtal to develop image-guided therapy solutions using electromagnetic navigation
The companies will combine Philips’ diagnostic and interventional imaging with Traxtal’s surgical navigation and therapy systems to offer a broad spectrum of integrated imaging and navigation solutions. 22 May 2007

Varian radiotherapy systems for three Danish hospitals
Danish hospitals in Herlev, Copenhagen and Naestved will receive state-of-the-art radiotherapy equipment, software and networking systems from Varian Medical Systems. 22 May 2007

InterSystems takes over TrakHealth
TrakHealth will operate as an independent subsidiary of InterSystems Corporation, with its own sales force. 21 May 2007

Trial of one-dose radiation therapy for breast cancer
Doctors at four UK hospitals are conducting a trial of a technique to reduce radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer from several weeks to one 30-minute session during surgery. 20 May 2007

Mammals can regenerate
Mammals have the power to switch on dormant genes capable of regenerating cells, according to new research reported in Nature. 20 May 2007

Call for mass screening in Europe to prevent 200,000 deaths from colon cancer
Leading European scientists, physicians and politicians have called for national action plans across Europe to screen for colon cancer and prevent the 200,000 unnecessary deaths each year. Virtually all colon and rectal cancers can be either prevented or cured, yet little effective action has been taken since screening was recommended in 2003. 19 May 2007 Español Francais

Enhanced MR-guided focused ultrasound improves treatment of uterine fibroids
Women undergoing MR-guided focused ultrasound experience rapid and sustained relief from their condition and have a reduced need for alternative, invasive treatments in the future. 17 May 2007

New genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes identified
In the most comprehensive look at genetic risk factors for type 2 diabetes to date, researchers in the US and Finland have identified at least four new genetic variants associated with increased risk of diabetes and confirmed existence of another six. 17 May 2007

Report on developing radiotherapy services in England
The report says there is still a need to increase services to meet current and future demand, there should be greater choice and there is a need for more community-based services. 17 May 2007

Cardinal Health to acquire VIASYS Healthcare for $1.5bn
The acquisition will expand Cardinal Health's clinical and medical product offerings for global, acute-care customers and will establish the company as a leader in the more than $4 billion respiratory care market. 16 May 2007

The Leica DM1000 LED microscope

Biosense Webster and Medtronic to jointly develop cardiac arrhythmia care
The two companies plan to collaborate on three key areas of interest: a clinical trial, a technology development initiative and educational programs. 16 May 2007

Leica introduces clinical microscope with LED illumination
The new version of the DM1000 series incorporates long-lasting LED illumination, which provides colour-neutral illumination and rarely needs lamp replacement. 16 May 2007

RaySearch Laboratories to develop radiotherapy software for Varian
RaySearch will develop advanced radiation therapy treatment planning software for integration into Varian’s Eclipse treatment planning system. 15 May 2007

St Jude Medical gains European approval for heart failure devices. 15 May 2007

GE Healthcare to distribute ART's eXplore Optix outside North America. 15 May 2007

Infection route for mad cow and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease discovered
Scientists at the Whitehead Institute in the USA have found that small regions within the proteins called prions that cause mad cow and similar diseases, are responsible for their infectious properties. Moreover, these regions regulate the ability of prions to cross species barriers. 14 May 2007

The effects of climate change on health in the UK
The UK Department of Health and Health Protection Agency have published an updated report on the Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK. The Department is asking for comments up to mid June, before final publication. 13 May 2007

Treating colorectal cancer with lymphocytes is alternative to chemotherapy
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a new method of treating advanced colorectal cancer without the need for chemotherapy. By removing special lymphocytes (white blood cells), cultivating them and returning them to the patient s body, scientists can strengthen the patient's immune defence and stop the spread of the tumour. 13 May 2007

GE Healthcare launches laptop-sized ultrasound system for women's healthcare
The Voluson e is specifically designed for labour and delivery, gynaecological exams and studies and assisted reproductive medicine. It can provide high-quality imaging at the patient bedside and where there are space constraints. 12 May 2007

ICW Master Patient Index passes IHE conformance tests
InterComponentWare AG (ICW) has shown that its Master Patient Index (MPI) is compatible with international standards at the 2007 Connectathon hosted by Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE). 12 May 2007

Agfa HealthCare and ICW collaborate to integrate hospital software
Agfa HealthCare and InterComponentWare AG (ICW) have announced a non-exclusive agreement to cooperate in developing integration and interoperability between Agfa HealthCare’s hospital information system (HIS) ORBISTM and ICW’s eHealth Framework. 12 May 2007

Elekta Neuromag outsources magnetoencephalography production to Innokas Medical. 11 May 2007

The Zarlink ZL70101 system on a chipZarlink introduces implantable wireless system-on-a-chip
The new ZL 70101 transceiver chip, which delivers high data rates, low power consumption and unique wake-up circuitry, is designed for use in both implanted medical devices and monitoring base stations. 11 May 2007

Virtual reality helps MS patients walk better
A virtual reality device that combines combines a wearable, cell phone-sized audio component and a visual feedback apparatus to improve walking speed and stride length in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis has been developed at the the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. 10 May 2007

Philips and Misys collaborate in home telemonitoring solutions
The companies intend to develop an integrated software platform that will enable care agencies to provide high quality care to chronically ill patients at home, including the remote monitoring of patients’ health status to provide operational efficiencies. 10 May 2007

Philips expands homecare market presence with acquisition of Health Watch Holdings
Philips will pay US$130 million for the US-based, provider of personal emergency response services. The acquisition will add 100,000 customers to Philips' Lifeline homecare network. 10 May 2007.

Concentrating viral particles in electric field could lead to rapid virus detector
Engineers in the US have solved a critical bottleneck in the transport and capture of virus nanoparticles, making possible a device that could rapidly sample and detect infectious biological agents, such as viruses. 9 May 2007

3-D cut-away view of a human retina in vivoRapid laser scanning produces high resolution 3-D images of living retina
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have produced a new laser that can scan the living eye at record speeds using a method called optical coherence tomography (OCT) and produce a 3-D image of the retina in less than a second. 9 May 2007

CAP creates new division to support SNOMED CT terminology
The SNOMED International division will now be called SNOMED Terminology Solutions and will focus on education, training and consulting related to SNOMED CT and its implementation. 7 May 2007

Radiofrequency ablation catheter treats diseased leg veins faster
VNUS Medical Technologies has launched the VNUS ClosureFAST catheter, an endovenous radiofrequency ablation catheter that is designed to heat, shrink and close diseased leg veins in three to five minutes. 7 May 2007

Call for international action on biggest epidemic in human history — diabetes
The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is calling for urgent action to counter the diabetes pandemic, which is threatening to overwhelm global healthcare services. There are 246 million people with diabetes now and 4 million die from it every year. It is likely to bankrupt national economies. 4 May 2007 Español Francais Deutsch

SNOMED CT clinical coding standard transferred to new international organization
SNOMED Clinical Terms (SNOMED CT), the UK-US developed standard for clinical terminology, has been acquired by the newly formed International Health Terminology Standards Development Organization from the College of American Pathologists for $7.8 million. 4 May 2007

EDAP to distribute China Medical's HIFU devices in the EU and Russia
The deal gives EDAP exclusive distribution rights for four years following EU approval for China Medical’s FEPBY series of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems. 3 May 2007

Philips awarded telecare contract by Visiting Nurse Associations of America
Philips Consumer Healthcare Solutions has been awarded a contract as the “preferred provider” for telehealth products and services for Visiting Nurse Associations of America (VNAA) members. 3 May 2007

The microfluidic insulin pumpDebiotech and STMicroelectronics in partnership to manufacture microfluidic insulin pump
The nanopump, which relies on microfluidic MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) technology, is a breakthrough concept that allows a tiny pump to be mounted on a disposable skin patch to provide continuous insulin infusion. 1 May 2007 Francais Italiano

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