TechniScan signs agreement with Texas-based company to co-develop a new version of its breast imaging device

SALT LAKE CITY (January 18, 2011) – TechniScan (OTCBB: TSNI), a medical device company engaged in the development and commercialization of an automated 3D breast ultrasound imaging system, announced today that it has signed a Product Development Agreement with Austin, Texas based Womens3D, Inc. worth a minimum of $1.5 million.

TechniScan and Womens3D will co-develop technology specifically for Womens3D’s proposed target market that is directed toward women’s health practices.

Under the terms of the agreement, Womens3D acquired a prototype of the TechniScan WBU system for $250,000 and contemplates contributing at least $1.25 million more to support development of a specialized whole breast ultrasound imaging system based on the TechniScan Warm Bath Ultrasound (WBU) product now in clinical testing. In addition, TechniScan will supply technical support of the product and customization of the imaging network applications that will be used in part to store and transmit the image files.

source: Techniscan Medical Ssytems

Breast cancer screening with MRI benefits women with radiation therapy history

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Breast cancer screening with MRI can detect invasive cancers missed on mammography in women who've undergone chest irradiation for other diseases, according to a new study published online and in the April print edition of Radiology.

Women who receive radiation therapy as children and young adults for diseases like Hodgkin's lymphoma face a significantly greater risk of breast cancer later in life. The incidence of breast cancer increases approximately eight years after chest irradiation, and 13 percent to 20 percent of women treated with moderate- to high-dose chest irradiation for a pediatric cancer will be diagnosed with breast cancer by age 40 to 45. In comparison, the cumulative incidence of invasive breast cancer by age 45 among women in the general population is only 1 percent.

"MRI's efficacy as an adjunct to mammography in screening women at high risk because of genetic mutation or family history has been established," said the study's lead author Janice S. Sung, M.D., radiologist at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) in New York City. "However, there were no reports in the literature about utility of MRI screening in women who are at high risk specifically due to prior chest irradiation."

In the study, Dr. Sung and colleagues reviewed screening breast MRIs performed at MSKCC between January 1999 and December 2008 on women with a history of chest irradiation. They looked at data from 247 screening breast MRIs in 91 women, with a focus on the number of cancers diagnosed, the method of detection and the tumor characteristics.

Of the 10 cancers found during the study period, four were detected with MRI alone, three with MRI and mammography, and three with mammography alone. The four cancers detected with MRI alone were invasive, while the three cancers detected with mammography alone were in their early stages.

source: EurekAlert

Siemens Celebrates First US Installation of MAMMOMAT Inspiration Full-Field Digital Mammography System

Malvern, Pa., February 15, 2011 – Siemens introduces its next generation of digital mammography with the first US installation of its MAMMOMAT® Inspiration at one of Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology’s nine locations on Long Island, New York. The Inspiration offers digital screening and diagnostic mammography, stereotactic biopsy, and upgrade capability to future technologies all in one system.

“The installation of the MAMMOMAT Inspiration is a key differentiator in helping us provide our patients the most comfortable mammography experience while capturing high quality clinical images,” explained Steven Mendelsohn, M.D., medical director for Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology. “Even though most people understand the importance of having a mammogram, it is not often considered a pleasant experience and many women put off having the exam. The Inspiration’s unique design and comfort features can help patients in our community feel less intimidated by the exam and could be a driver in helping to encourage them to schedule regular mammograms, which is critical to early breast cancer detection."

source: Siemens Medical

Hologic Receives FDA Approval for First 3-D Digital Mammography (Breast Tomosynthesis) System

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostic products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, today announced the Company received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Selenia Dimensions digital breast tomosynthesis system (Dimensions 3-D).

Mammography systems using conventional 2-D imaging have limitations caused by tissue overlapping tissue in the breast that may hide lesions or cause benign areas to appear suspicious. Clinical trials using Hologic's Dimensions 3-D system showed measurable improvement in clinical performance over conventional mammography. These trials also showed significant gains in specificity — the confidence to rule out cancer without recalling the patient for further study — and other benefits including improved lesion and margin visibility and the ability to accurately localize structures in the breast. The combination of measurable improvements in accuracy and detection, and improved sensitivity, makes the Dimensions 3-D system a superior system vs. conventional digital mammography systems.

source: Hologic

Hologic Targets Women's Health Professionals at ECR 2011

BEDFORD, Mass., Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hologic, Inc. (Hologic or the Company) (Nasdaq: HOLX), a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of premium diagnostics products, medical imaging systems and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women, will focus on new, ready to market technologies in women's imaging at the European Congress of Radiology (ECR), the annual meeting of the European Society of Radiology in Vienna, Austria, March 4-7.

Hologic will be one of the largest exhibitors at ECR 2011. Over 19,000 participants from more than 100 countries are expected to attend.

A major feature of the Hologic exhibit this year is 3D mammography (breast tomosynthesis) and the Hologic Selenia Dimensions 3D breast tomosynthesis option. Selenia Dimensions, the newest imaging platform in the world's most popular digital mammography line, directly addresses the primary limitations of 2D mammography – the superimposition of normal breast tissue.

Selenia Dimensions systems are installed in more than a dozen countries and cleared for sale in 40 countries. Selenia Dimensions delivers the exceptional 2D images the industry has come to expect from Hologic and, for the first time ever, gives radiologists the option of offering their patients a conventional 2D digital mammogram and a 3D tomosynthesis exam – all under one compression, in just seconds.

source: Hologic