PhotoDetection Systems (PDS) has introduced its NeuroPET scanner. NeuroPET’s wavelength-shifting fiber technology enables high-sensitivity and superior spatial resolution. Its compact/portable design requires no special site preparation. PDS said its scanner uses low doses of 18F and 11C tracers to image metabolism, amyloid and dopaminergic binding in neurological diseases. The tracers are known to be helpful in imaging challenging and costly diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, neuro-oncology, epilepsy, Parkinson’s and neuro-psychiatric disorders.

With the US facing erratic availability of this technetium-99m’s feedstock, molybdenum-99, the FDA is advising physicians to consider substituting sodium-fluoride positron emission tomography, also known as NaF-18 PET imaging. However, this PET bone imaging test would not be covered by Medicare. Although the five medical societies have petitioned the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to alter its PET-exclusion policy, no decision is expected till March 2010.

The FDA has approved a new trauma device in which FISO Technologies Inc’s fiber optic sensor is a key element. FISO expects the device to be released to the markets in the forthcoming months. Fiber optic temperature probes are insensitive to radio frequency and microwave radiation and can, therefore, be used in MRI machines without affecting the image clarity.

According to the Medicare watchdog, GPs are misusing the CT scans by ordering CT scans for patients with uncomplicated back pain. CT, computed tomography, scans subject patients to 400 times more radiation than ordinary X-rays, and doctors appear to be referring patients for CT chest scans without good cause. Unnecessary chest CT scans alone could be responsible for 40 fatal cancers a year in Australia, the experts have estimated.