GE and Siemens Interested in Imaging Device from Mayo Researchers
Mayo Clinic researchers developed a new imaging device, the Resoundant. The tool works in conjunction with MRI scanners and uses sound waves to create a picture of the area considered. It is anticipated that the device will be available on the market shortly, as described by Health Imaging.
The development team from the Mayo Clinic partnered with Benchmark Electronics, based in Rochester Minnesota, to build the Resoundant. Plans were established with both Siemens Medical Solutions and GE Healthcare to sell the device. The two imaging giants also plan to integrate the related software on MRI scanners yet to hit the market.
The device is particularly useful to examine the liver and can diagnosis both cirrhosis and chronic liver disease. The Resoundant allows analysis of tissue elasticity as the device passes sound waves through the tissue.
One advantage of this tool is that it does not require patients to undergo a biopsy, which is a more invasive procedure. The developers from the Mayo Clinic suggest that the device may be useful for imaging other organs such as the lung, brain, prostate, heart, breast and thyroid, among others.
August 22, 2008 Related topics: Materials Management