Fujifilm has unveiled an upgraded version of its FCR Go portable digital X-ray system. The FCR Go2 now has a more powerful X-ray source and a larger workstation more comparable in size to stationary units. Along with the same user-friendly features that led to the success of the FCR Go and provided high image quality and efficiency gains, Fujifilm’s FCR Go 2 is now equipped with a higher output X-ray generator to better accommodate imaging of dense areas. Abdomen and spine exams, for example, which are frequently performed with portable systems, as well as X-rays of bariatric patients, will now result in even sharper images. The new system features a full size, 15 inch image display and upgraded functionality at the onboard workstation. By having more of the same features available at the portable station that are accessible at the main radiology workstations, technologists and radiologists can preview a full size image at the patient bedside, using a familiar platform. Additionally, the FCR Go 2 features a smaller, lighter weight chassis design, coupled with an improved driving system that will provide greater ease of maneuverability during transport in tight corridors and imaging environments. Press release: Portable Digital Imaging System with upgraded capabilities: FCR Go 2…

Cellphones have come a long way with the rise of the smartphone. What used to be simply a means of making phone calls remotely, now is the way by which we can send emails, text messages, photos, and…acquire fetal images! You can thank Redmond, Washington-based Mobisante for that last one, because it has announced that its MobiUS ultrasound imaging system has received FDA approval to be marketed in the United States. MobiUS is the world’s first smartphone-based commercial ultrasound system. It consists of an ultrasound probe and a Toshiba Windows Mobile-powered smartphone with Mobisante’s software on it. Since the system is based on smartphones, it is extremely portable and very affordable compared to traditional ultrasound systems. In addition, it can utilize the cellular network and Wi-Fi capabilities of the smartphone to send images remotely. Mobisante hopes to get their portable ultrasound systems into remote villages and rural hospitals where resources are limited, population density is lower, and medical assistance is not as easily accessible. Although if things continue to progress well for Mobisante and portable ultrasound technology as a whole, we may soon find expectant moms uploading fetal pictures of their bundle of joy to their Facebook newsfeeds. Thanks to Tom Cruise, only if they live outside of California, of course. Press release: World’s first smartphone-based ultrasound imaging system cleared by the FDA… (.pdf) Company page: Mobisante … Flashbacks: The Signos, Self Contained Handheld Ultrasound Gains FDA Approval; Mobile Clinical Imaging On a Smart Phone (hat tip: Engadget)…

A few years ago we wrote about the punnily named ResQPOD, pictured on top, an impedance-threshold device that prevents air from re-entering the lungs to assist with cardiac filling. The Lancet has just published a study comparing standard CPR to CPR using ResQPod combined with another assist device called the ResQPump (side below), both from Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc (Roseville, MN). From the abstract: Findings 2470 provisionally enrolled patients were randomly allocated to treatment groups. 813 (68%) of 1201 patients assigned to the standard CPR group (controls) and 840 (66%) of 1269 assigned to intervention CPR received designated CPR and were included in the final analyses. 47 (6%) of 813 controls survived to hospital discharge with favourable neurological function compared with 75 (9%) of 840 patients in the intervention group (odds ratio 1·58, 95% CI 1·07—2·36; p=0·019]. 74 (9%) of 840 patients survived to 1 year in the intervention group compared with 48 (6%) of 813 controls (p=0·03), with equivalent cognitive skills, disability ratings, and emotional-psychological statuses in both groups. The overall major adverse event rate did not differ between groups, but more patients had pulmonary oedema in the intervention group (94 [11%] of 840) than did controls (62 [7%] of 813; p=0·015). Interpretation On the basis of our findings showing increased effectiveness and generalisability of the study intervention, active compression-decompression CPR with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure should be considered as an alternative to standard CPR to increase long-term survival after cardiac arrest. Full abstract in Lancet: Standard cardiopulmonary resuscitation versus active compression-decompression cardiopulmonary resuscitation with augmentation of negative intrathoracic pressure for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a randomised trial Good summary from Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New CPR devices save lives, Medical College study finds… Study info and product pages: THE RESQ TRIAL……

Philips has unveiled its new DigitalDiagnost – ER Wireless, and is now making available the Juno DRF X-ray system in the U.S. DigitalDiagnost – ER Wireless is an X-ray system specifically meant for use in emergency rooms, recovery, and trauma applications. The Juno DRF is a digital radiography and fluoroscopy system in one package The two-in-one system is capable of all common radiographic procedures, gastro-intestinal studies, tomography and vascular studies. Its unique Source Image Distance (SID) of 180 cm (71”) and the high table weight capacity of up to 284 kg (626 lbs), without any restrictions for movements, allows for diverse exams and patient types. An optional stitching function and vascular imaging package also expand the system’s capability. The Juno DRF has been for sale in Western Europe since January 2010. By eliminating hardware and peripheral equipment that typically hinders access to the patient, the DigitalDiagnost – ER Wireless radiography configuration eases access to critical patients in emergency rooms (ER), trauma units and recovery bays. The rugged wireless portable detector with built-in handle and cable-free design enables simple maneuvering for even the most difficult anatomical views, allowing the system to be seamlessly integrated into the ER. The wireless portable detector also helps minimize the risk of interference with life-saving equipment. Press release: Philips introduces X-ray systems designed to advance patient care Product pages: Juno DRF; DigitalDiagnost……

Here’s an interesting simple technology that might come handy to anesthesiologists and others who tend to do lots of central lines. Making sure that you are not in a carotid (or subclavian or femoral arteries, etc) is not always as simple as many think. Sure, you can do a blood color comparison. You can also connect a vertical column, and see how far the blood will rise. But why to do these maneuvers, if you can have something at the end of a finder needle that does not add steps to your procedure? Meet Mirador Biomedical of Seattle, Washington that has just received FDA’s 510(k) clearance for its Compass Vascular Access pressure measurement device, as well as a similarly designed Compass Lumbar Puncture pressure monitor. From the Compass Vascular Access product page: Focus on the Procedural Site View your hands, the patient and the pressure without additional cabling, operators or connections Integrate Seamlessly with Needles and Syringes Easily incorporated into the Seldinger technique for inserting catheters Eliminate “Blind” Guidewire Insertion The port allows insertion of the guidewire while monitoring the pressure From Compass Lumbar Puncture product page: Indication of CSF Entrance: Entrance into the target space is indicated by a pressure increase. Seamless Integration with LP Needles: The CompassTM LP connects to standard Lumbar puncture needles. Immediate and Continuous Measurement of Opening Pressure: View the pressure continuously without additional cabling, operators or connections. Press release: Mirador Biomedical, developing the innovative Compass™ family of disposable medical devices, announced FDA 510(k) clearance of its two leading products… (.pdf) Product page: Compass pressure measurement devices……

ZOLL Medical has received FDA approval for the Propaq M monitor, a monitor only version of the recently released Propaq MD. The user interface and connections are identical to the MD version, but it loses the defibrillation option, resulting in a more compact and mobile package. Like the Propaq MD, it has been designed for military and air medical use, resulting in a smaller, rugged, long-lasting model, able to withstand extremely fine sand and jets of water. From the press release: The Propaq M is a new ultra-lightweight, compact device that combines highly sophisticated, advanced capabilities with the well-accepted and proven features of the Propaq monitors. New features of the Propaq M include 12-lead monitoring, a third invasive pressure channel, extensive trending and data collection, a large high-contrast color display with 4-waveform capability, a night vision goggle (NVG) mode for military and air medical night operations, and a user-removeable battery that will operate all the physiological parameters for over 7.5 hours. These new capabilities were designed into a new small, lightweight, rugged package nearly 5 lbs. lighter than currently deployed technology. Press release: ZOLL Propaq M Monitor Granted 510(k) Clearance by U.S. Food and Drug Administration……

ZOLL Medical has received FDA approval for the Propaq M monitor, a monitor only version of the recently released Propaq MD. The user interface and connections are identical to the MD version, but it loses the defibrillation option, resulting in a more compact and mobile package. Like the Propaq MD, it has been designed for military and air medical use, resulting in a smaller, rugged, long-lasting model, able to withstand extremely fine sand and jets of water. From the press release: The Propaq M is a new ultra-lightweight, compact device that combines highly sophisticated, advanced capabilities with the well-accepted and proven features of the Propaq monitors. New features of the Propaq M include 12-lead monitoring, a third invasive pressure channel, extensive trending and data collection, a large high-contrast color display with 4-waveform capability, a night vision goggle (NVG) mode for military and air medical night operations, and a user-removeable battery that will operate all the physiological parameters for over 7.5 hours. These new capabilities were designed into a new small, lightweight, rugged package nearly 5 lbs. lighter than currently deployed technology. Press release: ZOLL Propaq M Monitor Granted 510(k) Clearance by U.S. Food and Drug Administration……

BK Medical, Analogic Corporation’s daughter firm, has released a new ultrasound in its portable Flex Focus line. The Flex Focus 700 is specifically designed for operating rooms, featuring a large 19 inch touchscreen along with touch controls on the bezel. There’s even an optional remote control to operate the unit from a distance. More from BK Medical about the new ultrasound: The system’s 19-inch screen displays sharp laparoscopic, intraoperative, and percutaneous images, with detail that is visible from virtually any angle. The Flex Focus 700 is small, lightweight, and supports a wide range of sterilizable transducers. * Remote control* — for control within the sterile area. * Touch screen — with a simplified control panel. * Touch control panel. * Completely mobile — the scanner is easy to move and maneuver * Fully adjustable screen height — move the scanner back and forth and up and down * Easy-access transducer connectors — no reaching down or bending over * Completely customizable interface — so you can get started quickly and work the way you want to * Picture-in-Picture (PiP) for simultaneous display of camera and scanner images on a single monitor. * Optimized setups and measurements for surgical ultrasound with the Surgery Pro Package * Access to all BK Medical’s specialized transducers * Clear, sharp laparoscopic, intraoperative and percutaneous images * 19" screen means image details are easy to see from any angle * Simultanous biplane image displayed like you’ve never seen it before * Sealed keyboard, no sharp corners or buttons where germs could hide * Surgical transducers from BK Medical are all sterilizable Press release: Analogic’s BK Medical Subsidiary Introduces the Flex Focus 700 Surgical Ultrasound System Product page: Flex Focus 700……

Pyng Medical out of Richmond, British Columbia has received US regulatory approval to market the FASTx Sternal Intraosseous Device that provides quick vascular access via bone marrow. Features of the device from the product page: Vascular access within 10 seconds; fluids and medications to the heart in 30 seconds Automatic depth control prevents over-penetration Delivers fluids and medications as quickly as a central line, with shorter access time Can be inserted during other resuscitation procedures Can deliver any fluids or medications that can be delivered via IV For use in adolescents from 12 years of age and older Designed for single, sterile use—no cross-contamination Flexible tubing with subcutaneous portal; strain-relief target foot ensures line does not dislodge Can be inserted in moving ambulances, aboard helicopters, and on stretchers Skill mastery within minutes; skill retention not dependent upon frequent practice or use Press release: Pyng Medical Corp Receives US FDA 510(k) clearance for FASTx… Product page: FASTx Sternal Intraosseous Device… Flashback: The Fastest Way To a Man’s Heart is Through FAST1 Intraosseous Infusion System;…

Minneapolis, MN based Protectus Medical Devices, Inc. has announced that it has been awarded a patent for the spring-activated mechanism used in its line of safety syringes. The FDA cleared device reduces the risk of needlestick injuries through the use of a spring mechanism which automatically sheaths the needle should the user lose control of the syringe. More about the device from its product page: The Protectus Safety Syringe design meets all aspects of the functional definition of "Self-Sheathing" mandated by Federal Law and is designed to reduce or obviate all dangers of accidental needlestick injuries to healthcare workers who could be pricked, scraped or injected by a needle before or after it has been injected and withdrawn from patients and therefore potentially carrying infectious bloodborne microorganisms. The Protectus Safety Syringe design utilizes a spring-biased locking sheath that is/becomes automatically locked and safe if the user does not have or loses intentional control of the device. The device has a user-friendly slide collar lock that allows the syringe to be used in essentially the same manner as any standard syringe with little special training or in-service instruction. Demo video explaining the unique nature of Protectus… Press release: US Patent Allowed for Spring Action That Separates Protectus Innovative Safety Syringe From All Others… Product page: Protectus Hypodermic Safety Syringe……