Germany's ground-breaking use of CT scanners in ambulances to assess for possible stroke inspired one program in Houston to follow suit. Supporters predict it will transform care in the future. 

AliveCor, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the company clearance for its algorithm to detect atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia. 

Royal Philips today announced it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market its precision planning application for Transcatheter Aortic-Valve Implantation (TAVI) treatments. Through 3D imaging, the Philips TAVI application provides interventionalists with pre-procedural, high-precision positioning to treat aortic stenosis ailments.   

GE Healthcare introduces the Vscan with Dual Probe with the first of its kind 2-in-1 probe to give healthcare providers more uses for pocket ultrasound. This powerful pocket-sized ultrasound tool houses two transducers in a single probe, allowing clinicians to see both shallow and deep views of the body without changing probes. This latest innovation enables efficient triage and fast workflow, which may lead to time and cost savings in many point of care settings.

Providing hospitals with resources and support to develop and improve patient care programs, AHRA: The Association for Medical Imaging Management announces the seventh year of its Putting Patients First Program. Putting Patients First grants enable healthcare facilities to fund programs, training or seminars aimed at improving patient care and safety and customizing treatment in CT, MR, Ultrasound, X-ray and Vascular imaging. The grants are funded by an unrestricted educational grant from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

Northwestern Medicine is pleased to welcome James D. Thomas, MD, the new director of the Center for Heart Valve Disease at the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute.

Robert C. Hendel, M.D., professor of medicine and radiology, has been named interim Chief of the Cardiovascular Division at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. Before this appointment, he was the Associate Chief of Clinical Cardiology, Director of the Cardiac Care Unit and Director of Cardiac Imaging at the Miller School.

Boston Scientific Corporation has initiated full commercial launch of the new POLARIS Imaging System.  This system will support the Boston Scientific family of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters, including coronary, peripheral and intra-cardiac echo products.  The POLARIS System offers enhanced ease-of-use and more powerful processing capabilities.  Its modular design would also support the planned release of new Boston Scientific imaging products including a fractional flow reserve (FFR) wire, a new family of IVUS catheters, enhanced software features and better system control tools.