3 Points on Ultrasound for Pain Management
Recently on beckersorthopedicandspine.com, Abby Callard wrote an interesting article entitled “5 points on Ultrasound for Pain Management”. She discusses the future of ultrasound technology for pain management in both diagnostic and procedural applications with Michael Gofeld, MD.
1. Ultrasound results in increased diagnostic specificity.
“MRI is the most common imaging technology used in musculoskeletal diagnosis; however it is a static tool, says Dr. Gofeld.”
Dr. Gofeld states that while MRI is the most common imaging technology used in musculoskeletal diagnosis, it is a “static tool” that produces a “snapshot of the moment” and does not show how nerves and joints are working in motion to show nerve impingements or entrapments, for example. An ultrasound can do this, and unlike MRI it can also “pick up superficial layers, small nerve injuries and anatomical structures hidden by surrounding scars and metallic hardware.”
Post Date:
Wed, 11/30/2011
SonixDAQ: The perfect modality for applications such as beamforming, photo acoustics, and shearwave tracking.
Harnessing the power of our software based platform, we have developed a new modality for researchers, which allows for real-time acquisition of 128 parallel channels of RF data. The SonixDAQ, released in 2010, allows researchers to acquire preformed data, sampled up to 80MHz for applications such as beamforming, photo acoustics, and shearwave tracking.
Post Date:
Mon, 11/28/2011
Video: Needle Guidance Technology at MEDICA 2011
The Ultrasonix team is back from the 2011 MEDICA trade fair in Dusseldorf where we met many of our distributors from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We also showcased our new technology and connected with potential partners from around the globe. If you weren’t able to make it to our booth to see the SonixTouch with SonixGPS, Medica has documented many of the booths with live video coverage from the show floor on its website.
In an interview with Kris Dickie, Ultrasonix Research/OEM Manager, he explains Ultrasonix’s 3 founding pillars: Innovation, Guidance and Simplicity. Watch the video here:
Post Date:
Tue, 11/22/2011
Ultrasonix Recognized for Its Innovative Needle Guidance Technology Solution
Frost & Sullivan have recognized Ultrasonix with the 2011 North American Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award for the SonixGPS needle guidance technology. The award is presented annually to the company that demonstrates uniqueness in developing a technology that significantly impacts both the functionality and customer value of new products and applications.
Post Date:
Thu, 11/17/2011
MRI Ultrasound Fusion Helps Detect Prostate Cancer
In the spirit of “Movember”, we thought it would be a good idea to bring out an old article from the Vancouver Sun focused on an important issue in men’s health: prostate cancer. The article is on the fusion of MRI, magnetic resistance imaging, with ultrasound images to create an enhanced view of the prostate. This allows physicians to pin point where the danger spots are so they can treat just that area. Ultrasonix is proud to have the SonixTouch be the first ultrasound system used in the groundbreaking technology.
Prostate cancer and the prostate gland are best seen on an MRI, but cannot give a real-time image of the area. Ultrasound images do not give as clear of an image as MRI, but is very useful and cost-effective for performing biopsies. The fusion of the images improves physicians to diagnose prostate cancer from more conventional methods.
Post Date:
Thu, 11/10/2011
Ultrasound Guidance for Interventional Anesthesia Demonstrations at ASRA Fall Meeting
Ultrasonix is bringing its ultrasound guidance technology to New Orleans for the 10th Annual ASRA Pain Medicine Meeting & Workshops. From November 17-20, a diverse group of pain physicians will meet to address the specialty’s practice gaps and underlying educational needs. This year’s feature speaker is Dr. Rathmell, who will be presenting “The Evolution of the Field of Pain Medicine.”
Post Date:
Tue, 11/08/2011
MEDICA 2011 Gets to See the Benefits of Ultrasound Guidance Technology
Ultrasonix is off to Dusseldorf, Germany to take part of one of the world’s largest trade fair events in the medical industry, MEDICA 2011. From the 16th to the 19th of November, Over 4400 exhibitors will meet from over 110 countries to discuss current medical developments, new treatment possibilities and applications in the medical industry. Click here to see an overview of some of the hot topics being addressed. If you can’t make the trip to Germany don’t worry, you can still be a part of it by following their live coverage online.
If you are able to make it, be sure to visit us at Hall 09 / C26 where we will be demonstrating our SonixGPS ultrasound guidance technology. With SonixGPS, you can position your transducer in the ideal location for your target and select a needle direction and angle that is safest and most comfortable for the patient. Whether in-plane or out-of-plane, it shows you the predicted trajectory and true path of the needle in real time. Needle adjustments are reflected instantly on the display and you’ll always see where the needle will intersect the sound beam. Find out more by watching the video below.
Post Date:
Wed, 11/02/2011
Medical Imaging Software Not Meeting Most Ultrasound Directors' Standards
As ultrasound usage continues to grow in emergency departments, ultrasound directors feel their billing and exam management programs are struggling to meet their demands. Here is an interesting survey on ultrasound image and exam management we thought we’d share. UltraLinq polled 122 ultrasound directors throughout the US to see how ultrasound was being used and how well their exams were being managed.
The survey showed:
“… 40% of the departments indicated they billed for less than 1/3 of these exams, while only 20% claimed to be billing for “Mostly All” of their exams. Those that bill for the minority of exams cited a variety of reasons including poor image quality, lack of credentialing and inadequate departmental documentation.”
Post Date:
Tue, 11/01/2011
