Is mpMRI the Key to Making Smarter Use of Ablative Technologies?

For Sonacare Medical on Apr 3, 2018 

Focal therapies for cancer have been around for more than two decades and have been accepted treatment options for breast and renal cancers. Gaining acceptance for prostate cancer, however, has been a long-winding road. (published site)

FDA Announces Updates to “Refuse to Accept Policy”

For Kapstone Medical

7 questions to ask before submitting 501(k)

The FDA recently issued updates to its guidance for its “Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k)s” for Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research-regulated (CBER) devices and for “Acceptance and Filing Reviews for Premarket Approval Applications (PMAs).” (published site)

Making Efficient Use of mpMRI Data

With the growing acceptance of the value of multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) the detection, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer is undergoing a paradigm shift away from biomarkers and standard 12-core biopsies to imaging-based strategies with targeted biopsies.

In a 2015 Korean Journal of Urology review of mpMRI, the authors concluded that, “mpMRI, which is composed of T2WI and several functional sequences, is regarded as the single most accurate imaging modality for characterizing prostate cancer.” (published site)

Healthcare cybersecurity gains, but room for improvement remains

For Hexagon Technology

Efforts to cut cybersecurity breaches appear to be working as healthcare organizations reported 4.5 million healthcare records compromised in 270 breaches in 2017, according to the Office of Civil Rights. (published site)

Has MRI-Based Diagnosis for Prostate Cancer Overtaken TRUS Biopsy?

Posted by Sonacare Medical on Mar 20, 2018 3:00:00 PM

Since the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) gave prostate cancer screening a “D” grade in 2012, researchers have been looking for better ways to detect, diagnose and treat prostate cancer. Blood tests such as the PSA and imaging and biopsy tests, however, have lacked specificity, identifying cancer only about half the time, while missing clinically significant cancer.(published site)

Using 3D Printed Parts To Make Low-cost Live-cell Imaging Microscope

For Kapstone Medical

3D printing doesn’t always have to be used for new, high-tech applications such as printing tailor-made medical devices. Researchers at Uppsala University have used 3D printing to create an inexpensive tool to make live image videos of living cells.

In a paper published in the journal PLOS, the researchers used 3D printed parts and off-the shelf electronics and smartphones to convert standard inverted microscopes to produce high-resolution imaging studies of living cells.

NSAIDS, DMARDs, Corticosteroids: What’s the Difference?

For Healthcare Associates

If you’ve experienced stiffness or pain in your hands, knees or other joints, you may have wondered whether you have arthritis — if so, you’re not alone. The Arthritis Foundation estimates that 54 million adults in the United States suffer from arthritis.

If you have pain and stiffness in your joints, you owe it to yourself to see a doctor before you reach for an over-the-counter arthritis drug. Early treatment with the appropriate type of arthritis medication can help preserve joints and halt progression of the condition. (published site)