New mammography technology from GE looks promising
WAUKESHA, WI – GE Healthcare has introduced a new technology in to aid in breast cancer diagnosis. The SenoBright, which features Contrast Enhanced Spectral Mammography (CESM) technology, reduces ambiguity in mammography results, enabling physicians to detect and diagnose cancer with more confidence – even in the densest part of the breast tissue more rapidly and accurately, said officials. SenoBright uses X-rays at multiple energies to create two separate exposures, which specifically illuminate and highlight areas where there is angiogenesis, growth of small blood vessels potentially related to the presence of cancer. The technology also shows potential for measuring the extension of the lesion to help to plan surgery and treatment. The new technology development was carried out in collaboration between GE Healthcare and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP). The goal of the joint research program is to develop new and innovative technologies for aiding in the diagnosis of breast cancer using the latest developments in digital mammography. The new technology works with an upgrade to GE Healthcare’s Senographe DS and Senographe Essential digital mammography equipment.
Technology to improve care for newborns on mechanical ventilation
SAN DIEGO – CareFusion has launched an automatic oxygen controller to improve care for newborns needing mechanical ventilation. The global medical device company says its Closed Loop Controller of Inspired Oxygen system or "CLiO2," is the first automatic oxygen controller of its kind designed to keep the oxygen level in the blood within a safe range for newborns needing mechanical ventilation. This new software algorithm is an enhancement to the CareFusion AVEA ventilator. The CLiO2 system non-invasively and continuously measures the oxygen level in a newborn's blood using Masimo SET Measure-Through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry technology to provide accurate and reliable oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements, even under challenging clinical conditions. The CLiO2 system processes blood oxygen saturation levels by a computer algorithm that then anticipates trends and modifies the amount of oxygen delivered. If necessary, adjustments can be made on a second to second basis, something not currently possible with manual control. The CLiO2 system is currently available in most Western European and Asian countries through CareFusion and its authorized distributors, with future availability in the United States and Canada.
Workstation offers on-board power
A free-wheeling workstation from Woburn, Mass-based Newcastle Systems offers on-board power that makes it possible to run a computer, a printer and other devices simultaneously. The PC Series Workstation, used to record inventory in real time and print labels as each product is handled, has a rechargeable battery that offers power for up to 12 hours of normal use. Carts are available with dimensions up to 24 x 48 x 37 inches and five different battery/inverter/charger packages. Accessories include an additional shelf, drawers (including a keyboard drawer), a laptop holder, an 18 x 20-inch pullout printer shelf with a capacity of 60 pounds, a CPU holder, two types of flat-screen holders, and a barcode-scanner holder. The Newcastle Systems Web site includes a new “Find-A-Cart” tool that helps the customer choose the most appropriate power package by calculating the total wattage of the equipment to be supported.
New solution aims to combat lab errors, boost productivity
INDIANAPOLIS – Bostech Corporation has launched a new solution to combat lab errors and increase lab productivity. The solution leverages the know error system, which officials say represents the new standard of patient safety in the biopsy evaluation process. ChainBuilder Labs, Bostech’s lab-specific workflow improvement technology, delivers faster, more accurate results directly to a patient’s electronic medical record. Combined with the know error system, which decreases the risk of biopsy switching errors through bar code technology and DNA-based specimen verification, the solution optimizes connectivity between lab processes, providing seamless workflow integration and real-time reporting in a browser-based interface. The solution is aimed at combating the nearly 3 million lab specimens a year that are misidentified in the United States and that lead to more than 160,000 adverse patient events, according to the College of American Pathologists.
EXTENSION updates software
FORT WAYNE, IN- EXTENSION, INC. officials announced that version 2.0 is now available for integration. Version 2.0 – replacing EXTENSION version 1.4 – offers features and functionality that further enhance clinical and operational workflows and overall communications among clinicians, healthcare staff and patients. The EXTENSION appliance-based software solution suite allows clinicians to automatically receive and respond to intelligent notifications derived from pre-defined rules and workflows. EXTENSION aggregates data, such as HL7 standards, from disparate systems and delivers the context-aware notifications to the appropriate caregiver at the point-of-care via a Cisco IP Phone or Web-enabled mobile device. Each bundled solution of the EXTENSION enterprise-class suite now runs on version 2.0 and offers a variety of workflow improvements tailored to various types of healthcare organizations, both large and small.
