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At Least 10 New Cellular Therapies Will Launch Over Next Decade, According to a New Report from Decision Resources

Decision Resources, one of the world’s leading research and advisory firms for pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that the cellular therapies drug market will experience robust growth in the United States over the next decade, reaching $1.5 billion in 2017. According to the new special report entitled Cellular Therapies, the launch of second-generation cellular therapies, the approval of novel stem-cell-based therapies and dendritic cell vaccines, and the continuous adoption of existing cellular products will drive this market to grow at an annual rate of least 31 percent in the United States from 2007 to 2017.

While market growth will be strong in the United States, new centralized regulations in Europe that take effect at the end of 2008 will introduce uncertainties for cellular therapies marketed in Europe, according to the report. Among emerging therapies, TiGenix’s ChondroCelect will be the first therapy to be reviewed under the new centralized European Medicines Agency guidelines.

The report forecasts that, of the 10 or more cellular therapies that will launch over the next decade in the United States and/or Europe, Dendreon’s Provenge will be the first market entrant following its approval for prostate cancer in 2009 in the United States. Another cellular therapy that will launch in the near-term, Osiris/Genzyme’s Prochymal, will garner sales of $235 million in 2017 for the treatment of Crohn’s disease, although its initial regulatory approval will be for graft-versus-host disease in 2010 in the United States and in 2011 in Europe.

“First-to-market cellular therapies have had disappointing sales performances to date,” said Irene Koulinska, M.D., analyst at Decision Resources. “However, researchers have made significant progress in the development of cellular therapies in recent years, despite facing considerable financial and ethical challenges. Additionally, the availability of noncontroversial cell sources and the establishment of a regulatory framework in the United States and Europe have prompted increased interest among large biomedical companies in the development and commercialization of cellular therapies.”

Source: Decision Resources



Faster, 24×7 Access to Medical Data Enables Clinicians to Deliver Better Care to Cancer Patients

EMC Corporation, the world leader in information infrastructure solutions, announced that the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), a national network of cancer treatment hospitals and community oncology programs, has successfully implemented an EMC information infrastructure to support its comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) initiative. EHRs, digital files containing patient medical data, enable physicians to increase efficiency and better serve their patients. By implementing EMC technology to support this initiative, CTCA has achieved more responsive patient care, faster and uninterrupted access to medical data and increased operational efficiency. In addition, massive storage and server consolidation and automation of data recovery, backup and restore functions have enabled CTCA to manage its growing information infrastructure more cost-efficiently and without adding storage administrative staff.

Chad Eckes, Chief Information Officer, CTCA, said, “We’ve fully embraced the EHR because of its potential to help improve patient care and safety more than any other IT initiative. Unlike the traditional approach of incrementally adding new applications and IT components to achieve an EHR, CTCA engineered a complete transformation of our IT application architecture all at once. We now have a cohesive, centralized system that integrates every aspect of a patient’s care and delivers unprecedented information security and availability.”

“The EHR is already running in our three existing cancer hospitals, and we’ll extend the benefits even further when we open our first all-digital hospital in Phoenix in December 2008. The CTCA system will help CTCA enhance each patient’s treatment experience from the point of admission forward. Everything from viewing medical history in the operating room to submitting insurance claims to filling prescriptions will be done electronically.”

To launch the EHR project, CTCA replaced storage directly attached to its servers with a centralized EMC CLARiiON(R) storage area network (SAN). CTCA also deployed several new applications, such as Eclipsys Sunrise Clinical Manager (SCM) and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server, as well as integrated existing applications, such as Lawson enterprise resource planning software and Microsoft Exchange email, and into the new infrastructure.

“Each year, we are adding vast quantities of new medical data and clinical applications online; EMC’s SAN has enabled us to scale smoothly to storage capacities that have grown by 600% to 60 terabytes in less than two years,” said Eckes. “Even though the environment is significantly bigger and more diverse, we’ve been able to maintain our storage needs with a team of two employees who manage all of the SAN, replication and backup support on a part-time basis. With the SAN’s ease of use and simplified management, we’re able to do a lot more with the same amount of resources.”

In the latest phase of its EHR deployment, Schaumberg, Ill.-based CTCA implemented EMC RecoverPoint to replicate all of its clinical and administrative information stored on the EMC CLARiiON to another CLARiiON located at a remote datacenter 40 miles away.

Rakesh Patel, Director of Infrastructure and Security, CTCA, said, “We use EMC to replicate new data every second so our clinicians always have a current view of a patient’s status. If our datacenter failed, we would recover from clean data as opposed to data that is hours old. We also can bring up our production systems at our remote site in less than two hours compared with the three to four days a recovery used to take us.”

In addition, VMware(R) virtualization solutions have contributed to improving CTCA’s information availability. With VMware, CTCA was able to consolidate 70 percent of its physical servers as virtual machines, reducing the number of physical servers. CTCA utilizes RecoverPoint to replicate the virtual machines stored on the EMC CLARiiON and to integrate with VMware Site Recovery Manager to automate the recovery process in case of a site failure. If a virtual machine needs more resources than is being provided, CTCA uses VMware’s VMotion to move the virtual machine from one physical server to another - online, and without service interruption. In addition, if a physical server fails, VMware High Availability automatically fails over the virtual machines to operational servers.

Patel said, “That consolidation alone contributes to a more reliable environment because there is less complexity. And, using VMware and EMC recovery tools together ensures that our physical and virtualized environments can be centrally managed and well protected.”

CTCA also uses EMC NetWorker(R) software to back up its entire production environment to an EMC Disk Library 4100, which is replicated to another Disk Library. The disk backups are eventually ported to tape for longer-term storage.

Patel said, “It used to take 12 hours to back up 1.8 terabytes to tape. With NetWorker and Disk Library, we back up more than twice that much data in less than four hours. In a 24-hour operation like a hospital, it’s crucial to get the data backed up quickly so it’s not slowing down the applications.”

Source: EMC Corporation



Assistive Listening Devices Available Free with Hearing System Purchase Starting November 26 through December 7

Zounds Hearing, a unique manufacturing and retail company focused on providing hearing devices with state-of-the-art fidelity, price point and professional service, announces the introduction of assistive listening devices (ALDs) in an effort to aid all who are hard of hearing. The various devices are now available in all of the Zounds Hearing Centers retail locations effective November 24, 2008. And, from November 26, 2008, through December 7, 2008, all customers who purchase a Zounds hearing system will be eligible for a free ALD*.

The products include an Amplified Cordless Phone, Amplified Corded Phone, Cordless Phone Handset, Portable Phone Amplifier, Telephone Ring Signaler and Alarm Clock, all ranging in price from $34.95 to $119.95. The array of devices are available in time for the holiday season, so consumers can feel good about giving the important gift of better hearing while being easy on the pocketbook.

The ALDs feature:

  • A choice of adjustable tone levels (up to 95 dB ring level) along with sound clarifying technology to aid those with various levels of hearing loss
  • Wake & Shake features, vibrating pads and flashing lights as alternative forms of alarm-clock signaling while sleeping
  • Phones include adjustable handsets, vibrate & visual ringers and amplification adjustments, making talking on the phone convenient for those with or without a hearing loss

“Zounds is extremely excited to be incorporating these products into our growing array of hearing devices,” said John Costello, CEO of Zounds. “Along with our rechargeable Zounds hearing aids, these ALDs help give people the freedom of better hearing, no matter their situation.”

In addition to a growing product line, Zounds hearing centers are expanding with 30 retail locations across the United States. The company opened its first location in February of 2007 and plans to open many more stores in 2009 through an aggressive expansion plan.

To experience the Zounds difference, please visit a hearing center location or visit our demonstration at http://www.zoundshearing.com/.

*Products may vary by location



Siemens Introduces New Standard of Care for Breast Ultrasound

Increased information density, automation and intelligent clinical applications take workflow efficiency in ultrasound to an all new level

Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) highlights the ACUSON S2000(TM) Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS)(1), the world’s first multi-use, automated volume breast ultrasound system, at the 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) from November 30 to December 5 at McCormick Place (Booth #922, East Building/Lakeside Center, Hall D) in Chicago. Siemens also demonstrates how Tissue Strain Analytics(2), a new dimension of diagnostic information, and intelligent knowledge-based workflow solutions, empower physicians to leverage ever-increasing imaging information density to achieve greater diagnostic confidence and decreased study time.

According to the New England Journal of Medicine(3), dense breast tissue increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer up to five-fold. While mammography remains the method of choice for breast cancer screening, a study(4) published by the RSNA in 2002 found that the detection rate for nonpalpable, invasive breast cancers increased by 42 percent when mammography was followed by an ultrasound examination.

“I am convinced that Automated Breast Volume Scanning can make a significant contribution in diagnostic confidence for women with dense breast tissue and inconclusive mammograms,” said Klaus Hambuechen, CEO, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. Examinations performed with the ACUSON S2000 ABVS technique generally take less than 15 minutes. “Time well spent if you consider the extended diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound in dense breasts,” he says.

Unique Anatomical Coronal View

The ACUSON S2000 ABVS system automatically and quickly acquires full-field sonographic volumes for comprehensive review and diagnosis of the breast streamlining workflow and reducing operator dependence and variability. The system also features the intuitive, anatomical coronal plane, not available using conventional ultrasound. This view provides a more understandable representation of the global anatomy and architecture of the breast. Semi-automated reporting and comprehensive BI-RADS(R) reporting capabilities further enhance the clinical workflow.

The ACUSON S2000 ABVS has an innovative, mobile in-suite design combining the advanced ACUSON S2000(TM) ultrasound system with a transducer specifically designed for automated ultrasound breast volume imaging. To further optimize high-volume patient care, the system also supports innovative breast imaging applications, such as fatty tissue and eSie Touch(TM) elasticity imaging.

Increased Diagnostic Information for Liver Disease and Other Organs

The world’s first commercially available implementations of Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (ARFI), Virtual Touch(TM) Tissue Imaging(5) and Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification(6) premiere on the ACUSON S2000 ultrasound system. Similar to a physical palpation exam, these leading-edge technologies represent a new dimension of diagnostic information by interrogating the mechanical strain properties or stiffness of tissue, which may be correlated with pathology.

“Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging adds an independent parameter to our existing morphological diagnostic process,” said Professor William Lees, MD, of the University College London Hospital (UCLH), United Kingdom, who has worked with the technology for over a year now. “The more parameters we have, the more confident our diagnosis can be.”

Complementing the strain analysis is Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification, which is the first and only application to provide a numerical value related to tissue stiffness at a precise anatomical location. The application is highly promising in identifying early stages of liver diseases causing cirrhosis. Early studies show that it proved extremely sensitive in diagnosing fibrosis and distinguishing it from normal liver and cirrhosis.

Knowledge-based Workflow

Siemens will also demonstrate the clinical and economic benefits of knowledge-based workflow applications across their all-new ACUSON ultrasound product line, which automate and streamline a broad range of routine clinical tasks. Using learned pattern recognition from an expert database of thousands of clinical cases, knowledge-based workflow applications recognize anatomical patterns and landmarks and can automatically perform measurements and other routine tasks to achieve a whole new level of accuracy and efficiency. For example, syngo(R) eSieCalcs(TM) native tracing software features proprietary border detection technology to facilitate lesion or anatomical structure boundary segmentation and syngo AutoOB measurements allow automatic biometric measurements of the fetus (BPD, HC, AC, FL, HL, CRL). Knowledge-based workflow applications help to achieve consistent and reproducible measurements with high speed and fidelity across a wide range of applications and users.

To learn more about the Siemens Ultrasound innovations, please visit www.siemens.com/ultrasound. You can also tune in to listen to the “Advances in Medical Imaging” audio features of these and other Siemens Ultrasound news at Reach MD XM157 or www.ReachMD.com. Hosts Dr. Jason Birnholz, president of Diagnostic Ultrasound Consultants in Oakbrook, Ill., and Dr. Beverly Hashimoto, Ultrasound Section Head at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, cover a wide range of ultrasound topics, including “Sonography Workflow Automation,” “Handheld Ultrasound in the ER,” “Tissue Strain Imaging,” and “3D and 4D Echocardiography in Cardiology.” The program airs every weekday on XM 157 and is also available online at www.reachmd.com/medicalimaging (promo code: Siemens).

(1) 510 (k) pending; not available in the United States
(2) Not available in the United States

(3) N Engl J Med 356;3. Boyd N.F. et Al., Mammographic Density and the Risk and Detection of Breast Cancer

(4) Radiology 2002;225:165-175. Kolb T.M. et Al., Comparison of the Performance of Screening Mammography, Physical Examination, and Breast US and Evaluation of Factors that Influence Them: An Analysis of 27,825 Patient Evaluations

(5) Not available in the United States

(6) Not available in the United States



Sigma’s Imprint(TM) Methylated DNA Quantification Kit significantly simplifies the study of Global Methylation with results in half the time of current methods

Sigma-Aldrich introduced its Imprint(TM) Methylated DNA Quantification Kit (MDQ1) for epigenetic research http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/mdq1. The Methylated DNA Quantification Kit employs a familiar ELISA-like procedure, with no radioactivity or chromatography, to measure global methylation in less than four hours. The kits are effective with a DNA input as low as 5ng of fully methylated DNA and are arranged in a flexible 8-well assay strips format, allowing for high-throughput applications or manual analysis of DNA from cultured cells, tissues, plasma and other body fluid samples. Imprint MDQ technology will enable scientists to rapidly quantify the global methylation status of biological samples, providing insight into conditions that alter methylation status and facilitating advanced disease research.

The introduction of MDQ1 kits provides researchers with an alternative to currently available methods for quantifying global methylation, such as reverse phase HPLC, MALDI-TOF-MS, methylation sensitive restriction fingerprinting, DNA methyltransferase assays, immunohistostaining, and dot blots. MDQ1 kits include all necessary reagents, enabling laboratories to screen samples in-house rather than sending them to core facilities.

“Our Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kits offer complete and rapid solutions for the quantification of global DNA methylation,” said Tim Fleming, Director of Commercial Marketing at Sigma-Aldrich. “The addition of this exciting technology to our epigenetic research product suite reflects Sigma- Aldrich’s commitment to developing a robust platform of technologies to support the epigenetics research community.”

Sigma-Aldrich licensed its MDQ technology from the Epigentek Group. The Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kit complements Sigma Life Science’s epigenetic research portfolio, including the Imprint DNA Modification Kit and the Imprint ChIP Kit, as well as products for DNA purification, qPCR, sequencing and post-reaction clean-up.

“We are very excited by Sigma-Aldrich’s decision to partner with Epigentek in the epigenetic field,” said Adam Li, chief scientific officer at Epigentek. “This arrangement underscores Epigentek’s position in the epigenetic arena, strengthens our strategy and portfolio, and is expected to benefit both companies’ programs in developing new epigenetics technologies and products.”

To learn more about the Imprint Methylated DNA Quantification Kit, and Sigma-Aldrich’s epigenetics research product portfolio, visit http://www.sigma-aldrich.com/epigenetics.

Source: Sigma-Aldrich



The Truth About Stem Cell Science

U-M experts offer ‘Stem Cells 102′ to present facts to the citizens of Michigan about regulations, oversight and ethical issues surrounding the safety and benefits of stem cell research

University of Michigan experts are providing educational information to help Michigan citizens learn about the ethics, guidelines, and federal and state oversight that apply to all human stem cell research.

“Stem Cells 102,” highlighted in an online video available at www.umich.edu/stemcell, provides accurate answers to those who seek the facts concerning embryonic stem cell research.

Embryonic stem cell research is considered by most scientists to be a very promising avenue for finding new treatments for incurable ailments such as juvenile diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, to better understand inherited human disease, and to develop safer and more effective new drugs.

Embryonic stem cell lines are derived from discarded embryos that were created for fertility treatment, but are surplus or unsuitable for use in fertility treatment. However, Michigan is one of five states that have laws preventing the creation of new embryonic stem cell lines.

Through “Stem Cells 102,” U-M stem cell scientist Sean Morrison, Ph.D., and Michigan Medical School Professor David Gordon, M.D., provide specific information about current issues regarding stem cell research, to clarify the law and the state of regulation.

Morrison directs the Center for Stem Cell Biology at U-M’s Life Sciences Institute and is a faculty member at the U-M Medical School. Gordon directs the Center for Diversity & Career Development, and is a professor and associate dean at the Medical School.

1. Embryonic stem cell research is one of the most regulated areas of medical research.

Embryonic stem cell research is extensively regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) that are created and operated in accordance with federal law, and by Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees that operate pursuant to guidelines from the National Academy of Sciences and the International Society for Stem Cell research.

Federal law (45 C.F.R. part 46) governs human subject research, including any research in which stem cells would be tested on patients as well as any research in which patients would donate embryos for the derivation of stem cell lines. That means that IRBs must approve any stem cell research involving human subjects, including the consent documents used to derive the lines and the methods employed to conduct the research, to ensure that the scientific goals are ethical and beneficial.

2. Additional layers of oversight are present in all federally funded research universities such as the University of Michigan.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Oversight Committees (ESCRO committees) were created at research institutions, under guidance from the National Academy of Sciences, to oversee all aspects of pluripotent stem cell research, including all research conducted in laboratory dishes, and all research conducted in patients. This also provides an additional layer of oversight, beyond that provided by IRBs as noted above, over the derivation of stem cell lines. ESCRO committee approval is therefore required for all experiments performed with embryonic stem cells. These oversight committees (IRB and ESCRO) are composed of scientists, physicians, ethicists, lawyers, and members of the community.

3. Private research in companies is also regulated.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates research done at private companies toward the development and testing of any medical product, and imposes similar regulations to ensure that such research is performed ethically. For this reason, companies generally establish their own in-house IRB committees to ensure that their research passes muster with the FDA.

Together, these mechanisms mean regulation of embryonic stem cell research, both at universities and at private companies, is extensive and comprehensive. Note as well that additional laws bearing restrictions on stem cell research are pending before Congress.

4. Current embryonic stem cell lines do not mirror the diversity in our society.

Currently, only certain embryonic stem cell lines, which were created on or before August 9, 2001, can be used for federally funded research. These embryonic stem cell lines do not reflect the diversity in American society. In fact, a surprisingly high fraction of the embryonic stem cell lines approved for use with federal funding arose from embryos obtained from a fertility clinic in Haifa, Israel.

This is key because one of the fundamental principles of clinical trials is that we test new medicines in a diverse patient population that mirrors the diversity in our society. For example, if we test new medicines only on people of a certain ethnic or racial makeup, there would be a risk that the medicines developed would not be as effective in other racial groups. This is because efficacy and side effects sometimes vary between racial or ethnic groups.

Another reason why diversity in clinical research is key is that some inherited diseases are more prevalent in some populations. Examples of such genetic illnesses include Tay-Sachs among Ashkenazi Jews and sickle cell anemia, which is found more often among people of African descent.

It is critical to enroll a diverse patient population so we have an opportunity to detect drugs that work for all ethnic groups. If embryonic stem cell research changes the future of medicine, we may be at risk of leaving certain groups out of that future by not studying embryonic stem cells from all ethnic backgrounds.

5. It is not true that stem cell research is unregulated or that unethical experiments could be conducted on patients.

A recent television ad compared stem cell research to the Tuskegee syphilis experiments, a tragic and universally condemned study conducted decades ago — before current federal laws on research involving humans were put in place. This comparison is utterly baseless and misleading. After the Tuskegee study was exposed to public scrutiny, the federal government put in place new research laws that explicitly prohibit unethical or harmful research. These laws require any stem cell research conducted in patients or in which patients donate embryos for the derivation of stem cell lines to be conducted ethically and safely under the oversight of IRBs or the FDA.

More information on stem cells can be found at www.umich.edu/stemcell and stemcells.nih.gov.

Additional resources:

Stem Cells 101: Five things you should know about stem cell research http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=696

Source: University of Michigan Health System and News and Information Services



Siemens Shapes the Future of Integrated Diagnostic Imaging

Molecular CT adds metabolic information from PET to traditional CT and enables truly integrated diagnostic imaging for maximized workflow efficiency and quick return on investment

Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) introduces molecular CT, a new concept in integrated imaging that provides a premium imaging platform, and is a practical solution for today’s shrinking healthcare budget. This new technology, Biograph mCT, represents the evolution of integration in imaging; a CT with molecular capabilities, a PET scanner with unlimited capabilities in CT, and a high performance integrated imager that an be used to achieve true collaboration and cooperation between diagnostic imaging specialties.

“As the inventor of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), Siemens wants to lead the evolution of hybrid imaging to maximize innovations and make them available where they will have the most impact,” said Dr. Bernd Montag, CEO, Siemens Healthcare, Imaging and IT Division, Erlangen, Germany. “With Biograph mCT, we’ve taken the best Siemens has to offer in CT and enabled the introduction of ’smart’ contrast — molecular contrast — using the most advanced PET technology available,” he said, at the Siemens Forum in Munich, where the new system was first shown to a select group of customers from around the world.

Biograph mCT is the ideal solution for an integrated imaging environment. It was designed to obtain functional, anatomical and molecular information from one, noninvasive diagnostic exam, and adapts to virtually any patient and any clinical need with higher resolution, contrast and speed. The clinician has the option of using the industry’s highest resolution CT in conjunction with the high-definition PET technology or as a standalone CT. Depending on the case, molecular contrast can be used for additional metabolic information. Biograph mCT is the only imaging device to offer whole-body PET-CT scanning in just five minutes(1), a revolutionary feature that optimizes flexibility and efficiency.

From an investment standpoint, using one, all-encompassing scanner is a highly efficient means of making the most of an institution’s imaging equipment and strengthening the existing workflows between radiology and molecular imaging.

“Biograph mCT is the quintessential definition of efficiency; one team, one room, one machine, and one comfortable patient,” said Montag. “It offers the potential of diagnosing disease earlier and more effective management of disease at reduced costs. Speaking directly to the bottom line, with Biograph mCT, an institution may only need to purchase one imager instead of two, representing a huge cost-savings potential in a time when healthcare budgets are tight.”

The consolidation of equipment, staff and scan times can enable major cost savings, return on investment and excellence in patient care, as well as patient and staff satisfaction when innovation and integration work in tandem.

More About Biograph mCT

With a small footprint, large bore, a short tunnel and an extra-wide, 500-pound-capacity bed (227 kg), Biograph mCT is designed to accommodate all kinds of patients — including pediatric, bariatric, and geriatric — comfortably and easily. The ability to complete studies in less time can reduce patients’ anxiety. Biograph mCT’s large 78 cm bore can also help to alleviate patients’ sense of claustrophobia and allows better positioning of RTP devices, such as breast boards, and makes scanning of obese patients easier.

Biograph mCT adapts to virtually all patient types and clinical needs. Its unmatched isotropic resolution in CT, combined with its industry-best rotation time, brings out the finest anatomical details in every scan — routine and advanced — limiting motion artifacts. It is available in detector configurations of 40-, 64-, and 128-slices, a first in integrated scanners. Biograph mCT’s powerful HD-PET technology delivers highly detailed images with up to four times as much contrast. In fact, it is the world’s only PET technology that offers 2 mm uniform resolution throughout the field of view (FOV).

Biograph mCT also addresses two of the foremost concerns related to scanning: scan time and radiation dose. With its ultra-low dose capability and super-fast PET acquisition time, scanning can be less stressful for the clinician and the patient.

“The ability to provide a high-quality imaging environment for patients that is accommodating, comfortable and reliable plays a key role in the success of a healthcare provider,” said Montag. “The investment made in imaging equipment, such as this, will provide clinicians the information necessary to best diagnose and treat patients.”

With Biograph mCT, a single room can be transformed into a fast, dual-modality scanning facility, where both CT and PET can be operated in one room with one staff, one schedule, and if required, one comprehensive exam. As a result, space, time and costs that would be required to implement such high-end systems separately can be reduced, while maximizing dual-modality utilization.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care — from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 9.85 billion, orders of euro 10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

(1) Based on competitor data sheets. Data on file.

Source: Siemens Healthcare Sector



Unitech, a leading worldwide manufacturer of automatic data collection products and services and the top player in the rugged PDA marketplace, today announced that it has launched the PA600 Healthcare PDA. The PA600 Healthcare PDA has been specifically designed to meet the increasing requirement in medical environment.

The PA600 Healthcare PDA is a compact and rugged mobile computer with an integrated 13.56MHz High Frequency RFID reader. The unit also supports 2D barcode, making it ideal for any medical RFID applications. Furthermore, the Unitech PA600 Healthcare PDA is especially targeted for healthcare application as its case is constructed from anti-microbial material and is capable of housing both RFID and 2D barcode readers. This feature enables hospital staff to correctly identify patients by reading their RFID enabled wrist bands and ensure that the correct treatment is administered to the correct patient when scanning medicines.

Supporting Oracle Database Lite and Microsoft BizTalk Server 2006, the PA600 Healthcare PDA allows end users to synchronize RFID data with existing business systems and databases. Support for Wavelink Avalanche enables easier management of wireless devices, decreasing cost and time of deployment.

The PA600 Healthcare PDA’s rounded shape is designed to fit perfectly into user’s palm. A full QVGA touchscreen enables applicants to view more information about the RFID tags that have been read and an ergonomic alphanumeric keypad makes data entry simple.”

Nowadays, it is market trend to apply RFID technology with 2D barcode system in the medical environment specifically as it’s even safer to reduce vital mistakes happening during treatment. Unitech recognizes this trend and has committed much effort into developing a product that specifically meets needs for today and tomorrow to reduce total cost of ownership says Judy Huang, Global RFID Product Manager, Unitech.

Source: Unitech Electronics Co., Ltd.



A new federal project, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, will lead efforts to develop, implement and evaluate four computer-based decision-support tools that will help clinicians and patients better use genetic tests to evaluate and treat breast cancer.

The first pair of tools will assess whether a woman with a family history of cancer should be tested for BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations. Knowing whether a woman has inherited these gene mutations may help determine her chances of developing certain kinds of cancer, especially breast cancer. The second pair of tools, for women already diagnosed with breast cancer, will help determine which patients are appropriate for a Gene Expression Profiling (GEP) test. GEP test results can help evaluate which patients are at a high risk of cancer recurrence and therefore are good candidates for chemotherapy, in addition to other appropriate treatments.

“Genetic testing can be a powerful tool for assessing the risk of breast cancer and treating the disease effectively, but clinicians need better support in identifying which patients will benefit from specific tests,” said AHRQ Director Carolyn M. Clancy, M.D. “This work is part of a broader effort to provide decision support tools that will help physicians and patients in achieving the best possible outcomes and improving patient care.”

The $1 million project will be completed by RTI International, an independent, non-profit research institute in Research Triangle Park, N.C. It is expected to take about 16 months. It responds to recent recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society. The committee concluded there are extensive gaps in knowledge about genetic tests and their impact on patient care. The project also reflects the goals of HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt’s priority initiative on personalized health care, which aims at increasing the effectiveness of medical care by more precisely matching each patient’s conditions and needs with therapies that will be effective for them.

Development of these tools will support AHRQ’s work of translating research into clinical practice in the areas of genetic tests, health information technology and patient care. For instance, the

AHRQ-sponsored U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has recommended that women whose family history is associated with an increased risk for BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations are referred for genetic counseling and evaluation to measure the need for BRCA testing. AHRQ has also published an Evidence-based Practice Center report on the impact of GEP tests on breast cancer outcomes.

The new project to create decision-support tools is funded through AHRQ’s DEcIDE (Developing Evidence to Inform Decisions about Effectiveness) research network, part of the Effective Health Care Program. The Effective Health Care Program sponsors the development of new scientific knowledge through studies on the outcomes of health care technologies and services. For more information about AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program and the DEcIDE Network, visit the Effective Health Care Web site at http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/.

To learn more about the project to create gene-based clinical decision-support tools for breast cancer patients, visit: http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/healthInfo.cfm?infotype=nr&ProcessID=68.

Source: Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality



First Robot of its Kind in a Community-Based Hospital

WHAT: Launch and demonstration of the KineAssist Robot, which represents a giant leap forward in safety and effectiveness for people learning to walk again after a stroke or disability

The KineAssist(TM) Walking & Balance Exercise System, winner of the prestigious international Industrial Design Excellence Award, applies robotic technology to helping patients learn to walk, step sideways, climb stairs and regain the balance, strength and mobility to carry on daily activities. The new KineAssist Robot increases physical therapists’ ability to safely challenge patients in real-life tasks, since it protects them from falling. Fully supported and held in a safe position even if they lose their balance, patients using the KineAssist Robot feel safer and more confident as they build strength and stamina. Its portability means it can be used in a wide variety of clinical settings, even outside.

The KineAssist Robot enables physical therapists to safely perform more intensive and effective therapy, while enhancing the connection between them and their patients. This type of body weight support was previously limited to a treadmill with a harness. The KineAssist allows total mobility and removes the need for therapists to support the patient’s weight, freeing them for other hands-on interaction. It also accurately records patient performance data and reports objective measures of progress.

Developed through a joint venture of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and Kinea Design, a company of expert physical therapists and engineers, the KineAssist Robot has been in clinical trials since 2004. This new prototype is being introduced at Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital following three years of successful clinical trials.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital 935 Beisner Road Elk Grove Village

Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital

WHO: Mark Frey, Chief Executive Officer, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network
Bruce Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital
John Dunkin, Executive Director, Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital
Dr. Elliott Roth, Chief Academic Officer, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Dr. David Brown, KineAssist Designer, Co-Founder Kinea Design and PhD Associate Professor at Northwestern University

Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital offers a full range of inpatient, day rehabilitation and outpatient services in partnership with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. It is a member of the Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, which provides the one million residents of Chicago’s Northwest suburbs the most advanced medical care. Alexian Rehabilitation Hospital and the Alexian Bothers Hospital Network are nationally recognized for providing a continuum of care for stroke patients, from screening and acute treatment to post stroke rehabilitation. The Alexian Brothers Hospital Network and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago share a dedication to providing the finest, most comprehensive rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.

Kinea Design is a committed practitioner of user-oriented observational design research. By understanding real users, in real tasks, set in real contexts, Kinea gains a thorough understanding of the terrain before it commences design. Kinea Design believes that its user-centered approach, backed by a proven team of human-machine design engineers, clinical researchers and experienced commercial experts, uniquely positions it to bring technology into practice. Individuals interested in being research subjects in the therapy program using the KineAssist robot should contact Linda Foster at 847-640-5600, x3752.

Matt Wakely
+1-847-385-7176
Alexian Brothers Hospital Network

Source: Alexian Brothers Hospital Network

http://www.alexianbrothershealth.org/



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