• Canadian medical-imaging specialist Novadaq Technologies (Mississauga, ON) has unveiled PINPOINT, a minimally invasive endoscopic imaging system designed to perform autofluorescence and narrow-band imaging, as well as conventional white-light bronchoscopy. PINPOINT doesn’t require contrast agent but instead utilizes the signal from fluorophores within lung tissue to help localize pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. Novadaq points out that many studies have shown autofluorescence to be more effective in the detection and localization of central-airway cancers than white-light bronchoscopy. The company expects that surgeons will use PINPOINT’s enhanced imaging capabilities to plan and deliver treatments such as photodynamic therapy or cryotherapy.
• The annual meeting of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology saw PET specialist Positron Corporation (Houston, TX) introduce a dedicated cardiac PET system – Attrius. The Attrius molecular imaging system incorporates patented software and hardware for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heart disease. According to Positron’s president Joseph Oliverio, the Attrius is the only dedicated cardiac PET scanner on the market. The company has since begun preparations for a 510k submission to the US Food and Drug Administration.
• The Symbia E series SPECT imager is the latest addition to the Symbia family of SPECT and SPECT/CT imaging systems from Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, PA). Symbia E is based on Siemens’ e.cam gamma camera, redesigned with an improved chassis and improved electronics. Siemens claims the system’s improved image quality and increased reliability will lead to an accelerated workflow. With advanced imaging tools for oncology, cardiology, neurology and general imaging, Symbia E is suitable for use with a wide range of patients, can be equipped with special positioning pallets for mammography and also sports a tilting detector for optimized planar imaging.
