Merge Healthcare has announced the release of MergeCOM-3(TM) Version 3.9, which adds the latest DICOM standard supplements to its industry-leading DICOM toolkit. Medical imaging software developers depend on MergeCOM-3 to jump start product innovation by providing much of the code needed to incorporate the DICOM standard. This standard is the basic “language” by which all medical imaging devices and systems communicate, and it is constantly improving to match the clinical needs of the industry. Version 3.9 contains support for important new standard supplements for nuclear medicine, pathology and ophthalmology.

Gyrus ACMI, an Olympus Company, has launched the Smith™ Digital Percutaneous Nephroscope (IPN). The device uses an ultra-miniature 1 mm complementary metal oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) imaging sensor. Now, one can do away with bulky external video accessories. A single connection for true “plug & play” digital technology has reduced the number of components. This will not only make it simple, but also bring down maintenance and ownership costs of the device.  The Smith™ Digital Nephroscope is much lighter as compared to the traditional fiber optic percutaneous nephroscopes because of its integrated digital technology, which makes it beneficial for surgeons.

Dilon Technologies has received CE Marking for its Dilon 6800 gamma camera. The high-resolution gamma camera enables molecular imaging of the breast and other small organs for early cancer detection. It performs breast-specific gamma imaging, a technique that images the metabolic activity of breast lesions through radiotracer uptake.

Varian Medical Systems has received an FDA 510(k) approval for its RapidArc radiotherapy technology, which makes it possible to deliver image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) two to eight times faster and more precisely than is possible with conventional IMRT or helical tomotherapy.

RapidArc delivers a complete IMRT treatment in a single rotation of the treatment machine around the patient. The two FDA clearances for RapidArc cover the treatment hardware and the RapidArc treatment planning software module in Varian’s Eclipse treatment planning system. Varian will begin taking orders for RapidArc immediately, and will begin delivering it to customers in the spring of 2008.

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The debate among digital radiology (DR), computed radiology (CR) and film doesn’t seem to be letting up. How long will film hang on and is it worth the cost to upgrade to the new equipment that is now available? That seems to be the question that everyone is trying to answer in deciding what the next piece of radiographic equipment to purchase.

DOTmed.com is featuring a Sector Report on just these issues, as well as an analysis of the pros and cons of both types of equipment, and a cost summary of the various options.

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