Ultrasound News and Research

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Ultrasound is a procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.

New study finds stereotypies in more than 60% of orphaned or abandoned children

Stereotypies -- repetitive behaviors such as rocking, flapping, spinning objects and head-banging – are commonly seen in people with autism or mental retardation. They can also be acquired by children exposed to severe neglect and deprivation, along with declines in IQ, mental health and language.

4 May 2010

JNM supplement examines advances in cardiovascular molecular imaging

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine -the top-rated medical imaging journal worldwide-has published Multimodality Molecular Imaging of the Cardiovascular System, presenting the state of the art of cardiovascular molecular imaging and discussing opportunities and challenges in advancing cardiovascular molecular imaging to clinical practice.

4 May 2010

UCB, IBDWG announce recipients of 2010 Research Awards in IBD for GI Fellows

UCB and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Working Group today announced the five recipients of the 2010 Research Awards in Inflammatory Bowel Disease for Gastroenterology Fellows, each of whom will receive a one-year $40,000 research grant for their original clinical or basic research.

4 May 2010

CA-BSI can be reduced in children through quality improvement efforts: Study

Bloodstream infections associated with catheters can be significantly reduced through quality improvement efforts, possibly leading to better health outcomes and lives saved, decreased stays at the hospital and related costs, according to a new study.

4 May 2010

Vascular Solutions acquires Escalon Medical's SMARTNEEDLE, pdACCESS businesses

Vascular Solutions, Inc. today announced that it has acquired the assets related to the SMARTNEEDLE™ and pdACCESS™ Doppler guided needle access business from Escalon Vascular Access, Inc., a division of Escalon Medical Corporation. The SMARTNEEDLE and pdACCESS products consist of a hand-held monitor and one-time use needles designed to provide auditory ultrasound guided access to arteries and veins during catheterization procedures.

3 May 2010

SonoSite, Physio-Control announce development collaboration for point-of-care ultrasound in EMS market

SonoSite, Inc., the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound for the point-of-care, and Physio-Control, Inc., the global leader in the development and delivery of emergency medical response solutions, today announced a market development collaboration for point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency medical services (EMS) market. This alliance will enable SonoSite to expand its presence in the pre-hospital settings with the support of Physio-Control resources and extensive sales force.

3 May 2010

BSGI improves breast cancer detection

A new study, presented at the American Society of Breast Surgeons Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, found that Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) is highly accurate in monitoring the response of breast cancers to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

3 May 2010

New 3-D mapping and labeling system reduces scan time and improves work flow

Researchers have developed an automated 3-D mapping and labeling system that reduces scan time and improves the work flow, efficiency, and accuracy of routine freehand ultrasound exams, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.

3 May 2010

Majority of patients who appear healthy may be at risk for cardiovascular disease

Three separate studies announced today at the American Society of Hypertension Inc.'s 25th Annual Scientific Meeting and Exposition (ASH 2010) examined the cardiovascular consequences of relatively healthy patients - those who were asymptomatic and not classified as hypertensive or diabetic - and found that many patients who appear healthy may still be at risk for cardiovascular disease.

3 May 2010

Health outcomes explored at DDW 2010

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which may soon be the leading indication for liver transplant, is found to be significantly associated with worse transplant outcomes. In addition, a new tool for diagnosing NAFLD represents an alternative to liver biopsy, which is more expensive and prone to complications, and ultrasound and alfafeprotein blood test screening are an effective alternative to CT scan and MRI for patients with cirrhosis at high risk for hepatocellular cancer.

3 May 2010

Florida Senate approves new abortion restrictions

A controversial bill that would require women to undergo ultrasounds before they can have abortions received final approval in the Senate late Thursday, setting up an epic struggle in the House today, the last day of the session. The bill also affects Florida women's coverage in the new federal health exchanges to go into effect in 2014.

30 Apr 2010

Boston Scientific to present multiple clinical abstracts on its endoscopy products at DDW 2010

Boston Scientific Corporation today announced that multiple clinical abstracts examining the diagnostic and therapeutic utility of its SpyGlass Direct Visualization System, Radial Jaw 4 Biopsy Forceps and WallFlex Duodenal Stent will be presented at Digestive Disease Week, May 1 – 5 in New Orleans.

30 Apr 2010

NWO awards 31 grants in Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme

The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) has awarded 31 grants in the Investment Subsidy NWO Medium programme for the acquisition of equipment, the setting up of data collections and the production of software and bibliographies. The total investment amounts to 10 million euro.

30 Apr 2010

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital opens new Center for Fetal Health

Complex fetal diagnoses bring extraordinary strain to pregnant women and their families. Learning an eagerly-awaited child will be born with a medical problem is often the worst crisis an expectant parents can face.

30 Apr 2010

States move to require ultrasounds before abortions

Various states have passed or are considering bills to tighten abortion regulations.

30 Apr 2010

Women with family history of breast cancer face increase risk of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most deadly disease of the female reproductive system, with most cases diagnosed in later stages. Yet while ovarian cancer affects 1 in 70 women in the United States, many women have never discussed the risk with their doctor.

30 Apr 2010

Mass. legislation to push poor seniors into managed care plans stirs concerns

Legislation that could push more than 100,000 low-income senior citizens in Massachusetts into managed care health plans spurred intense lobbying yesterday, as consumer advocates argued the measure would strip patients of their freedom to stay in traditional Medicare, while proponents said it could save the state significant money.

29 Apr 2010

Endovascular repair and surveillance appear to be safe alternatives for patients with small aneurysms

While repair of large abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) is well accepted, randomized clinical trials have failed to demonstrate benefit for early surgical repair of small aneurysms over surveillance, according to researchers from New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York.

29 Apr 2010

Cancer-related expenditures increase faster than any other area of health care: JAMA

From 1999 through 2006 the use of diagnostic imaging for Medicare patients with cancer increased, with use of positron emission tomography increasing the most significantly, according to a study in the April 28 issue of JAMA. Imaging costs for these patients also increased, outpacing the rate of increase in total costs among Medicare beneficiaries with cancer.

28 Apr 2010

Volcano to distribute AngioSculpt PTCA Scoring Balloon Catheter in Japan

Volcano Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of precision intravascular therapy guidance tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with AngioScore for its AngioSculpt® PTCA Scoring Balloon Catheter for coronary indications in Japan. This is the first of what Volcano believes will be many products distributed by Volcano Japan, which now includes more than 50 direct sales representatives.

28 Apr 2010