• InSightec (Haifa, Israel) reported FDA approval of software that speeds the treatment time of the company’s ExAblate 2000 MR-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) system, while ensuring the system’s safety and efficacy. Separately, the company reported FDA approval of the ExAblate 2000 to be used with a 3.0 Tesla MRI scanner, in addition to the 1.5 Tesla. The new version uses an “interleaved” mode of treatment whereby the system targets different parts of the fibroid, allowing the recently ablated tissue area to cool while the focus moves onto other areas of the fibroid. This reduces the cooling time required. Another new feature allows physicians to leverage the beam steering in phased array transducer to maximize the energy in the focal point, allowing significantly more volume to be treated for the same amount of energy applied. The new version also includes improved safety features that help the physician identify anatomical details (such as bowels, bones, nerves, etc.) to help plan the treatment and minimize damage to non-targeted tissue.

• Lexi-Comp (Hudson, Ohio) reported that its drug information is now a standard feature in GE Healthcare’s Centricity EMR. Powered by Lexi-ON application program interfaces (APIs), healthcare providers using Centricity EMR now have one-click access to Lexi-Drugs and Pediatric Lexi-Drugs. Centricity EMR is an electronic medical record (EMR) system that enables ambulatory care physicians and clinical staff to document patient encounters, streamline clinical workflow and securely exchange clinical data with other providers, patients and information systems. The Lexi-Comp and GE Healthcare partnership enables Centricity EMR users to access Lexi-Drugs and Pediatric Lexi-Drugs from the ‘Medications Tab’ by simply clicking the ‘Web Lookup’ button. From there, users are transferred to Lexi-Comp’s drug reference information.

• Medstrat (Downers Grove, Illinois) reported the integration of the CompuMed (Los Angeles) OsteoGram bone mineral density (BMD) measurement software for osteoporosis screening, diagnosis and monitoring with its echoeSYSTEM PACS software suite. The integration of Medstrat's orthopedic digital imaging solutions with CompuMed's OsteoGram software provides orthopedic surgeons with a simple, effective and affordable means of identifying at risk individuals in their community. HHS recommends bone density tests for all women over 65 and for any man or woman who suffers even a minor fracture after age 50. CompuMed provides advanced imaging and medical informatics solutions. Medstrat makes digital medical imaging software for orthopedic practices.