A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire), a provider of computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions for the early identification of cancer, reported entering a product integration and distribution agreement with Viatronix (Stony Brook, New York), a developer of diagnostic 3-D imaging software.

Viatronix will incorporate iCAD's CAD solutions with its virtual colonoscopy technology, to enhance early detection and identification of polyps, potential precursors to colon cancer.

Viatronix will offer iCAD's computed tomography (CT) colon CAD software for the identification of potential polyps in CT Colonography (CTC) examinations in conjunction with their V3D System for "virtual colonoscopy."V3D-Colon allows physicians to interactively view the colon reconstructed from a CT scan, providing visualization of the inner surface that includes polyps and lesions. CT Colon from iCAD uses sophisticated image processing software to automatically identify polyps in CTC images. By integrating iCAD's solution, Viatronix will assist physicians in improving the accuracy, consistency and workflow during the reading process.

iCAD's CT Colon CAD software is pending regulatory review and approval by the FDA. All intended use statements are pending approval from the FDA.

In other agreements news:

• Volcano (Rancho Cordova, California), Stanford University (Palo Alto, California), Cardialysis (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF; New York) reported a collaboration whereby Volcano has agreed to provide intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheters free of charge for use in pivotal drug-eluting stent (DES) clinical trials.

The offer will be made available to stent manufacturers using the core lab services of Stanford, Cardialysis or CRF in trials where IVUS images and data are planned to be collected in 100% of patients at enrollment and at pre-determined follow-up periods.

The goal of the collaboration is to provide the stent industry, physicians and patients a more in-depth understanding of the complex phenomenon of stent thrombosis and the most definitive, expeditious answers to questions surrounding the long-term safety of current and next generation DES, the entities said.

In particular, IVUS is designed to precisely visualize late stent mal-apposition (when the coronary vessel grows away from the implanted stent months or years after deployment), which is emerging as a leading suspect in the search for the cause of late stent thrombosis in DES.

Volcano offers a suite of devices designed to facilitate endovascular procedures, enhance the diagnosis of vascular and structural heart diseases and guide optimal therapies. The company's IVUS product line includes ultrasound consoles that can be integrated directly into virtually any modern cath lab and single-use phased array and rotational IVUS imaging catheters.

• Accuray (Sunnyvale, California) and Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pennsylvania) reported an agreement to collaborate in the development of advanced imaging and software solutions for use in both radiosurgery and radiotherapy.

The two companies will jointly focus on the integration and optimization of Siemens computed tomography (CT) imaging technology with Accuray's CyberKnife robotic radiosurgery system. They will also work towards the integration of Accuray's advanced targeting techniques into Siemens radiotherapy product line.

Accuray, a global leader in the field of robotic radiosurgery, makes the CyberKnife system, a radiosurgery system that uses intelligent robotics to treat tumors anywhere in the body with sub-millimeter accuracy. The CyberKnife system treats patients in single or staged (typically 2-5) sessions by delivering multiple beams of precisely directed radiation that converge upon the tumor while minimizing injury to surrounding healthy tissue.

Accuray says that image guidance and computer-controlled robotics combine to continuously track, detect and correct for tumor and patient movement throughout the treatment. Because of this precision and accuracy, no head or body frame is required.

Siemens Oncology Care Systems focuses on the development of hardware and software for oncology care.

• Avitar (Canton, Massachusetts) has signed a distribution agreement with Dukal (Hauppauge, New York) for Avitar's Hydrasorb polyurethane foam wound dressing product line to replace the company's existing distributor. The agreement covers the U.S. and will be effective Jan. 1.

Hydrasorb, which uses Avitar's polyurethane technology, is designed to be a highly absorbent topical dressing for moderate to heavy exuding wounds. These dressings have a unique construction that provides a moist wound healing environment, which promotes skin growth and closure. Dukal will distribute Hydrasorb to acute care hospitals as well as subacute, long-term and other healthcare facilities throughout the U.S.

Dukal makes a variety of wound care and specialty patient care products. Avitar makes products in the oral fluid diagnostic market, the disease and clinical testing market and customized polyurethane applications used in the wound dressing industry.