All articles by Blatha
Blatha
Minimum requirement: controlling radiation
New dose measurement software has enabled public hospitals in Spain’s Murcia region to reduce the amount of radiation they use for medical imaging exams by more than a third since 2015. Alfonso Martinez Cal, GE Healthcare’s dose modality leader for the Iberia region, speaks to Andrew Putwain about how the DoseWatch system can improve patient care.
Agents of change: ‘painting’ cancer for easy removal
Nanoscale contrast agents are helping to improve rates for vital early-stage diagnoses and enabling cancers to be ‘painted’, which eases removal. Dr Cristina Zavaleta, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of Southern California, discusses the latest developments in molecular imaging with Andrew Putwain.
The beginning of the end for prostate cancer
MRI ultrasound fusion biopsies may sound like something from science fiction, but they are acutally a breakthrough in imaging technology, which help surgeons deliver a better quality of life to patients. Dr Gopal Gupta, associate profressor at Loyola Medicine, Chicago, speaks to Andrew Putwain about what this technology can offer to prostate cancer sufferers.
Rays of hope: advanced X-ray technology
Hospitals have been using X-ray machines for more than 100 years, but limitations remain in the size at which they work well. Andrea Valentino talks to Thierry Grosjean from the FEMTO-ST Institute in France about a possible solution that involves using a horn antenna, and how his work might allow doctors to get closer to tissue and tumours.
Ablate this: removing tumours with ultrasound surgical ablation
The use of high-intensity focused ultrasound surgical ablation methods has grown significantly over the past several years, with the technique now spreading to other types of surgery. One such treatment involves the removal of tumours that can cause seizures in children. Colin Castle talks to Dr Prasanna Jayakar, chairman of the Nicklaus Children’s Brain Institute in Miami, about the revolutionary new applications for the technology.
Going through the motions: medical imaging with robotics
Motor-control technology is rapidly expanding in the world of radiology machinery. Ergonomically advanced, automated machines, high-tech robotics with gesture recognition, and every other whizz and bolt you can think of are being introduced. Jay Hill, general manager of imaging technology and VCP at GE Healthcare, talks to Medical Imaging Technology about how motor and motion control is going to change the medical device industry with the use of robotics.
Surgical precision with elastography imaging probe
Andrew Putwain speaks to Paul Galluzzo, The Technology Partnership’s chief researcher, about a new imaging probe that is designed to give surgeons better vision during procedures. This tool can be used in various situations, including killing or removing cancerous or damaged tissue; navigating around the body during an operation; and working with catheters inside an organ.
Planning for the future: 3D mammography with DBT
A study has found that digital breast tomosynthesis is a promising technology for surgical planning. The study argues that it offers a better view of lesion margins than mammography alone, and it can reduce re-excision rates by up to 50%. Vikram Butani, Kubtec Medical Imaging’s CEO, discusses the technology and its many benefits with James Quentin.
Say goodbye to surgery: addressing kidney tumours with CT scans
Using an improved CT scan could prevent unnecessary surgery. A recent study showed that adding a non-invasive imaging test to CT increases the accuracy of classifying kidney tumours. Dr Mehrbod Javadi, director of nuclear medicine and assistant professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine, speaks to Andrew Putwain about the study’s groundbreaking findings.
The future of the Middle East: SESAME
In May 2017, King Abdullah II of Jordan opened the Middle East’s first major international research centre – a SESAME Project comprising a cooperative venture by the scientists and governments of the region that sits under UNESCO’s umbrella. Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith, the president of the SESAME council, which governs the project, talks about the organisation’s set-up and how it will benefit imaging and public-health research in the region.