Avoiding Electromagnetic Interference in Hospitals

Over the past 2 decades, there has been remarkable growth in the sources of RF energy. Twenty years ago, people did not have cell phones, pagers, or laptop computers with wireless modems installed.

Over the years, many incidents of suspected electromagnetic interference (EMI) with medical devices have been documented. Defibrillators are one type of medical implant that has had problems due to electromagnetic interference that has been well-documented in medical journals. There is increased concern for the safe and effective use of devices in an environment that has become crowded with potential sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Because of its concern for public health and safety, the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH), which is part of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in the US, has been at the forefront of examining medical device electromagnetic interference and providing solutions. Extensive laboratory testing by CDRH and others has revealed that many medical devices can be susceptible to problems caused by EMI.

According to the CDRH, the key to addressing electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the recognition that it involves not only the device itself, but also the environment in which it is used, and anything that may come into that environment. More than anything else, the concern with EMI must be viewed as a systems problem requiring a systems approach. In this case, the solution requires the involvement of the medical device industry, the EM source industry (e.g., power industry, telecommunications industry), and the clinical user and patient.

The public must also play a part in the overall approach to recognizing and dealing with EMI. Electromagnetic compatibility, or EMC, is essentially the opposite of EMI. EMC means that the device is compatible with (i.e., no interference caused by) its EM environment, and it does not emit levels of EM energy that cause EMI in other devices in the vicinity. The wide variation of medical devices and use environments makes them vulnerable to different forms of EM energy which can cause EMI: conducted, radiated, and electrostatic discharge (ESD). Further, EMI problems with medical devices can be very complex, not only from the technical standpoint but also from the view of public health issues and solutions.

It is important to make sure you have the right kind of EMI/RFI filtering for your medical devices and hospital equipment. RFI filters play an especially important role in high-frequency and medical equipment applications. The typical frequency filtered is 10,000Hz to 30,000,000Hz for noise picked up and conducted through external wires or power cords. 30,000,000Hz to 1GHz is the frequency filtered for noise that is radiating and being picked up through the air. Low-leakage filters are used for medical equipment and devices, as they provide low levels of leakage current to meet patient safety requirements.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and Radio Frequency interference (RFI) are disturbances that can affect the electrical circuit because of electromagnetic induction or electromagnetic radiation from external sources. These disturbances can interrupt, degrade and/or limit the performance of the circuit itself. Many countries have requirements for products to meet Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards.

MedWOW, the multilingual global medical equipment platform, offers medical equipment professionals a selection of RFI filters for a variety of different devices. If there is a particular RFI filter or part that you can’t find in MedWOW’s international inventories, you can post an RFI filter request or take advantage of MedWOW’s efficient part finder service. Currently filters are available from Siemens, GE Healthcare, Philips and more.

Remote High Dose Rate (HDR) Afterload Brachytherapy for Precision

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy is a highly-effective outpatient option that minimizes harmful side effects of oncology treatment, significantly reduces treatment and recovery times and most importantly, minimizes recurrence of many types of cancer. Brachytherapy is the standard term used for a radioactive source applied in or near a tumor. Brachy means near and therapy means treatment.

Brachytherapy is delivered by placing the radiation sources (Ir192) near the tumor. A multichannel Microselectron HDR with TCS remote afterload system is a dedicated machine which delivers radiation in and around the tumor. Brachytherapy can be used in the following:

• Intracavitary for cancer of the cervix and uterus
• Intraluminal for esophagus and bronchus cancer
• Interstitial for breast cancer, soft tissue sarcoma (after initial surgery), prostate and pancreatic tumors
• Surface mold for superficial cancers, especially skin cancer

These procedures may require anesthesia, a surgical procedure and a brief stay in the hospital. Patients with permanent implants may have a few restrictions at first and then can quickly return to their normal activities. Temporary implants are left inside the patient's body for minutes, hours or days, as indicated.

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy involves the remote placement of the powerful radiation source, accurately directed by the radiation oncologist and team, into the tumor for several minutes through a catheter. It is usually given in multiple doses once or twice daily or once or twice weekly. The doctor and team control the remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy treatment from outside the treatment room, monitoring the patient as the therapy is being given. The high-dose-rate remote afterloading machines allow radiation oncologists to deliver a brachytherapy treatment quickly, in about 10 to 20 minutes. The patient can usually go home shortly after the procedure.

Most patients feel little discomfort during remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy. If the radioactive source is held in place with an applicator, the only discomfort during the procedure may come from the  applicator.

Depending on the type of remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy given, the patient may need to take some precautions following treatment.

Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy may be used alone or in conjunction with external radiation treatments.

MedWOW, the multilingual global medical equipment platform, offers a buyers a selection of remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy  units for sale from inventories all over the world. Currently featuring remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy units from Varian and Nucletron Oldelft, with more being added all the time,   locating even difficult-to-find items is easier than ever.

If there is a particular Remote high dose rate (HDR) afterload brachytherapy system or part that you can’t find in MedWOW’s representative inventories, you can post a request or take advantage of any of MedWOW’s location services.

A New Medical Imaging Technology: Terahertz Radiation

Terahertz technologies harness sub-millimeter-wave radiation at frequencies from 0.1 to 10 terahertz, known as t-rays, corresponding to the spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands. Many scientists regard t-rays as the last great frontier of the electromagnetic spectrum, but finding “killer” applications outside the traditional niches of radio astronomy, Earth and planetary remote sensing, and molecular spectroscopy—particularly in biomedical imaging — has been relatively slow.

Residing at the lower end of the electromagnetic spectrum, t-rays behave like radio waves. When excited, they propagate and focus via traditional quasi-optical techniques, but utilize lenses typically made of low-loss plastics or crystals rather than the glasses prevalent at optical wavelengths.

Radiologists find this area of study fascinating, because t-rays are non-ionizing, which suggests no harm is done to tissue or DNA. They also offer the possibility of performing spectroscopic measurements over a very wide frequency range, and can even capture very broad signatures from liquids and solids. In some non-biomedical applications, t-rays have already yielded impressive gains, such as: airport security, protecting valuable art, detecting surface cracks in space flights, improving telecommunications and more.

Terahertz t-rays have traditionally been used to detect lightweight molecules and atoms. Until now, nearly a dozen spaceflight instruments have measured these signatures, which are critical tracers for such processes as ozone depletion, global warming, and pollution monitoring, as well as in furthering research in basic astrophysics, planetary composition, and cosmology.

Terahertz radiation has key strengths, but also limitations. Most notably, t-rays cannot penetrate water or metal. Some terahertz frequencies can penetrate fatty tissue a few millimeters thick, leading some researchers to speculate about their use in detecting epithelial cancer.

Terahertz-radiation imaging is just one of several methods under investigation for use in detecting early cancer of the GI tract. However, these findings open up exciting new medical applications for Terahertz technology. With further development the goal of the professional imaging community is for the technology to be used during endoscopic and surgical procedures to enable complete removal of diseased tissues. Further work is required to fully understand the contrast between diseased and healthy tissue.

MedWOW, the multilingual, global medical equipment eCommerce marketplace, features a huge variety of new and used imaging equipment. MedWOW’s comprehensive catalogue facilities easy buying and selling of every category of medical equipment: both complete systems and hospital parts.
MedWOW provides a number of methods to guarantee that you get the very best imaging equipment at the best price, with all the features you need. MedWOW attracts international sellers of imaging, so you have a wider range of competitive offers. You can also take advantage of the Market Value Calculator tool, which gives you high, low and average prices for all types of new and used imaging equipment.

The Importance of Remote Monitoring for Cardiac Pacemakers and ICDs

 

There has been a growing trend in electrophysiology toward remote, home monitoring of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, pacemakers and implantable cardiac monitors.

Remote monitoring helps improve work efficiency, reduces loads on clinics, improves adherence to scheduled follow-ups, and enables early detection of more severe cardiac problems.

ICDs were introduced in 1989, and today more than 2 million patients in the United States alone have them implanted.

In 2006 the Heart Rhythm Society made a call to manufacturers to create home monitoring systems so the devices could be used as an early detection system of threatening cardiac problems. Many of the new cardiac rhythm devices released in the past couple years have met this criteria.

Since these remote monitoring systems have been implemented, the adherence to regular monitoring has improved greatly with patients using remote monitoring-capable implants. Triggers can be set for events that automatically send an update on the patient’s condition to the physician’s office using the remote monitoring transmission system. These triggers can include settings that are out of range, delivered shocks, or other parameters set by the treating physician.

While remote monitoring eases the burden of follow-ups on patients and clinics and allows for improved patient care, it also enables clinics to charge for more frequent checkups.

It has been argued by some physicians that remote cardiac monitoring technology is not at the level of sophistication some manufacturers would lead physicians to believe. Some CRT and ICD devices, and the majority of pacemakers, do not have remote monitoring capabilities. Patients still need to be next to their Web-enabled transmitter to make a connection to send a report, so if an event happens away from home, it is not automatically reported.

Despite some drawbacks, progress continues. For example, Biotronik’s Home Monitoring system for early detection of all arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachyarrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation is very accurate. Using this type of cardiac remote monitoring system, it takes three days to detect these problems, versus more than 30 days using conventional office follow-ups.

Visit MedWOW and search for the category of remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems you are looking for and you will experience the current inventory from all over the world in new and used remote cardiac monitoring systems, as well as remote cardiac monitoring parts and accessories.

With so many options, where do you start? You can search for cardiac monitoring systems according to a wide variety of filters, designed to help you find exactly what you need including: manufacturer, model, price range, year manufactured, location, condition and seller’s business type.    In addition, you can decide to use any or all of MedWOW’s support services to help you in making the most cost-effective purchase possible. For example, there is currently a wide range of cardiac monitoring manufacturers and models available, including: Cordis, Intermedics, Pace Medical, Medtronic, Teletronics and many others.

If English isn’t your primary language, that’s alright, as the site is in many languages, and MedWOW’s customer support team can address your questions about remote cardiac pacemaker and implantable cardioverters defibrillator systems in 10 languages. 

Why Pulse Oximeters are Necessary

Before the development of pulse oximeters, in the not-so-distant past, physicians primarily had to assess, diagnosis, and evaluate many medical conditions based on their experience and clinical judgment. This is an essential part of diagnosis, but some symptoms manifest only at the later stages of the disease, especially with problems concerning respiration. When breathing is weakened, arterial blood oxygen levels are reduced. Oxygen deprivation is dangerous and puts patients at risk. Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, high-quality innovations in the medical field have allowed doctors to diagnose and treat diseases more successfully. As a case in point, the development of the pulse oximeter has decreased the time in detecting oxygen desaturation and has also greatly minimized unnecessary blood testing.

There are many occasions on which a person can be deprived of oxygen. Hypoxemia, where there is a low amount of oxygen in the blood, may be brought about by illness or trauma to breathing structures. People who have respiratory disorders have the greatest chances of developing decreased arterial oxygen saturation. The principal candidates are patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and to a lesser extent, cardiac patients. Blood disorders that cause a deficiency in hemoglobin or alter the capacity of hemoglobin to carry and transport oxygen also result into decreased oxygen saturation levels.

The purpose of a pulse oximeter is to read the current amount of oxygen present in blood by placing the sensor over the fingertip (or sometimes the earlobe). The pulse oximeter reading will indicate whether activity needs to be stopped, or if supplemental oxygen is needed. Parents of children who have asthma are often advised to have a pulse oximeter with them, especially during strenuous activity. If the pulse oximeter results are read as low, then the child must stop playing, and take necessary medications.

For the elderly population, a pulse oximeter is also an important item. Heart disease leading to oxygen deficiency is a common cause of mortality among the geriatric population, so the pulse oximeter has become standard equipment in nursing homes. The hand-held pulse oximeter has proven to be useful in getting a non-invasive, yet accurate and continuous reading.

If delayed, oxygen deficiency causes brain damage, and can affect other vital organs. This is why airway and breathing is a priority during resuscitation, and a pulse oximeter is always present in ambulances, emergency rooms, operating rooms, or any health care facility. Pulse oximeters are also available for home use. 

Telemedicine is Changing the Healthcare System

Telemedicine, also referred to as mobile health (m-Health) or e-health, allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in remote locations using standard telecommunications technology. Telemedicine (e-Health or m-Health) allows patients in remote locations to access medical expertise quickly, efficiently and without having to travel.

Telemedicine provides more efficient use of limited expert resources and medical specialists who can remotely see patients in multiple locations, wherever they are needed, without leaving their facility. In industrial and developing countries, telemedicine offers a reduced cost solution to delivering remote care when and where it is needed without the building and staffing added facilities.

Telemedicine also reduces isolation that clinicians can experience in small medical facilities in distant locations. Telemedicine allows local practitioners to consult with their peers and with clinical experts when needed. Telemedicine further allows them to participate in grand rounds and education opportunities they would not normally have access to without travel and time away from their patients.

Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health is expected to improve the quality, cost-efficiency, and access of healthcare to all people everywhere by:

• Supporting the delivery of care tailored to individual patients
• Improving transparency and accountability of care processes and facilitating shared care across boundaries
• Aiding evidence-based practice and error reduction
• Improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment appropriateness
• Improving access to effective healthcare by reducing barriers created, for example, by physical location or disability
• Facilitating patient empowerment for self-care and health decision making
• Improving cost-efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing waiting times and waste.

Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows rapid deployment of healthcare to a developing population though relatively low cost clinics. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows prison facilities to deliver high quality care without the cost and dangers of inmate transportation or the need for clinical specialist to enter the facility. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health substantially improves access to care while substantially reducing costs. Telemedicine has proven effective for clinical as well as mental health. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health provides support to the school nurse and allows her or his access to expert medical opinion on when it is needed. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows mobile health units access to specialist expertise regardless of where either the mobile health unit or the specialist is located. Mobile health units can serve the community, send challenging cases or second opinion requests to a remote specialist for x-ray reads, diagnosis support, treatment advice, etc. to assure the local patient receives appropriate care.

The benefits for Disaster Relief are similar to rural health and mobile health. Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health allows healthcare delivery capability to move in quickly after a disaster. This allows the on-sight providers rapid access to advanced expertise and capabilities for triage and care electronically when and where it is most needed.

The mobile health services being used today have several diverse aspects. These include the possibility for almost two way information exchange and real-time communication. In addition, the access capabilities in m-health can effectively cross the distance barrier between the doctor and patient. The other aspect is the expansion of the health sector to involve private and public sector which allows new roles to appear and even nontraditional sectors like mobile network operators to get involved in an innovative way to promote and develop new ways of providing health care.

Telemedicine has become standard medical practice and is in daily use across dozens of countries. As a result, specialized telemedicine, e-Health and m-Health equipment and systems have been developed, and MedWOW has kept up with the latest technologies.

The MedWOW online portal, which is an international, multilingual (10 languages, including Chinese) medical equipment marketplace, offers a large selection of Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health systems and accessories. You can find Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health equipment for sale through MedWOW’s innovative online catalogue from: DataSpan, Siemens, Philips, GE Healthcare and more. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for on MedWOW, you can post a free buying request, and as thousands of international sellers use the site daily, you are sure to find the exact model of Telemedicine/e-Health/m-Health system that you want. 

What is Image- Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)?

How Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) Came to Be

Image-guided radiotherapy, or IGRT as it is commonly known, evolved from IMRT. IMRT provides far greater beam shaping capabilities than 3D radiation therapy, in this manner allowing more sophisticated and precise treatment. However, radiologists continued to require a safety margin for error for all treatments because of the intrinsic doubt of exact tumor location each and every day.  For example, the prostate moves in a multitude of directions each day depending on how full or empty the bladder and rectum are. In the past, even with IMRT, Drs would need to add a safety margin around the prostate to account for this day-to-day variability in prostate location.  This added margin resulted in a larger target (prostate) to be treated with radiation and more of the bladder and rectum included within the radiation field, thereby, increasing the risk of damage to these healthy organs. Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) has changed all of this. IGRT does exactly what its name states: it uses the image of the target to guide the delivery of radiation for each and every treatment. 

Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), the All-Digital Treatment System

Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), the all-digital treatment system, allows physicians to see a patient’s tumor in real- time at treatment, even if a tumor has moved - because of a patient's breathing, heartbeat, gastrointestinal changes or other activities. Tumors also change their position and their size during the course of radiotherapy treatment, which typically consists of multiple treatments over several weeks.

At the start of radiotherapy, technicians take a CT scan of a tumor and enter that data into a treatment-planning system. Image-Guided Radiotherapy IGRT software produces a three-dimensional, digitized image of the patient's tumor, sharply identifying the slightest contour. Once that image is captured, it can be recalled for every treatment session. If significant tumor movement has occurred, physicians can then adjust the patient's position or, if required, re-do the treatment plan, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

 Why Use Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)?

With Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), physicians can match the radiation beam to the precise shape of your tumor far more precisely reducing the total amount of radiation you using built-in imaging technology at ultra-low doses.  The Image-Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) reduces or eliminates the need for implanting markers, as physicians can visualize soft tissue detail using imaging tools. Tumors that were previously untreatable, because of their proximity to organs or the spinal cord can now receive treatment, which is a huge advance in treatment methods.

The MedWOW Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT) Solution

MedWOW features a comprehensive selection of new, used and refurbished radiology equipment, including complete image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) systems by Nomos, especially the Nomos Bat Belfry.

As the largest global online marketplace for all kinds of medical equipment, MedWOW features a comprehensive searchable catalogue that allows you to filter for make, manufacturer, continent, condition, price range, seller’s business type, and other filters particular to radiology equipment.

If you don’t find the specific image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) system you are looking for, you can post a free buying request which typically will bring you a number of competitive quotes from some of MedWOW’s worldwide sellers.

The Importance of Forced-Air Warming Devices

What Does a Forced-Air Warming Device Do?

A forced air warming system is a medical electrical device used to help keep patients warm during anesthesia and surgery. The forced air warming unit is made up of a reusable controller and disposable, single-use blankets.

A forced air warming system comprises a controller plus a compatible disposable blanket. The controller contains the following components:

• Electric motor and fan
• Electric heating element
• Thermostats
• Air filter
• Hose

In operation the fan draws in air through the filter and the heating element heats it to a selected temperature, controlled by the thermostats. Heated air travels through the hose to the blanket, which connects to the hose nozzle.

The blanket is double layered and inflates in operation. The patient contact surface is permeable to air and the warm air exits the blanket and moves over the patient's skin and transfers heat to the patient by convection.

The most significant operational factors relate to the single use blankets. It is essential that the blankets are compatible with the controller and the range of blankets available for the controller is an important factor in the purchasing decision.

The blankets are bulky and require storage space.

Unplanned hypothermia (a core temperature of less than 36 degrees C) can negatively impact patients in many ways. Even mild hypothermia may contribute to complications such as: surgical site infection, altered drug metabolism, impaired blood clotting, cardiovascular ischemia, prolonged recovery following surgery and shivering.

It is maintained by many professionals in the field that active patient warming is associated with normalizing patient temperature. The literature supports the use of forced air warming devices for normalizing patient temperature and reducing shivering. In addition, the literature suggests that forced-air warming is associated with reduced time in recovery. Also, it is agreed that both the perioperative maintenance of normothermia and the use of forced-air warming reduce shivering and improve patient comfort and satisfaction. It is recommended that normothermia should be a goal during emergence and recovery, and that when available, forced-air warming systems should be used for treating hypothermia.

The Risks of Hypothermia

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is a common and preventable complication of surgery. Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is defined when the core body temperature is drops below 36⁰C and is associated with poor outcomes for patients.

The possible consequences of hypothermia are:

• Increased risk of wound infection
• Increased perioperative blood loss
• Longer post-anesthetic recovery
• Postoperative shivering and thermal discomfort
• Morbid cardiac events including arrhythmia
• Altered drug metabolism
• Increased risk of pressure sores
• Reduced patient satisfaction with the surgical experience
• Longer hospital stay

Preventing Hypothermia Using Forced-Air Warming

Prevention of hypothermia requires the use of simple measures, such as warm clothing, use of a duvet (comforter) or blankets preoperatively and active warming of the patient and intravenous fluids, especially in the operating room. A range of active patient warming devices have been designed for use in the perioperative and critical care environment, including: electric blankets, heated fluid filled mattresses, radiant warmers and forced air warming devices.

The cost of disposable blankets is the most significant cost of forced air warming and purchasers should make use of bulk purchasing arrangements in order to benefit from volume discounts.

Where to Find Forced Air-Warming Devices

MedWOW offers a comprehensive selection of new, used and refurbished Forced Air-Warming Systems from a multiplicity of manufacturers and distributors throughout the world. As the main global eCommerce platform for all kinds of medical equipment, MedWOW features a comprehensive searchable catalogue that allows you to filter for make, manufacturer, continent, condition, price range, seller’s business type, heating intensity, size and uses when looking for the forced Air-warming device best-suited to your particular medical facility.

Currently MedWOW features Forced Air-Warming Systems from the following manufacturers:

Augustine Medical, Cincinnati Sub-zero, Gaymar Industries, Gibek, Kan Med, Mallinckrodt Puritan, Stihler Electronic and The Surgical Company.

If you don’t find the specific Forced Air Warmer you are looking for, you can post a free buying request which typically will bring you a number of competitive quotes from MedWOW’s global distributors.

Why PACS Workstations are Essential Tools

What exactly is PACS?

Picture Archiving and Communications Systems, or as they are more commonly known, PACS, are being used in most hospitals and radiology clinics. This digital imaging technology has replaced the old way of capturing x-rays and scans on film and paper, enabling clinical images to be stored electronically and viewed on screen.

PACS work with x-ray and scanning technology such as Computerized Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and ultrasound to make x-rays and scanned images available to view on screens within radiology, and to share with other hospital departments like accident and emergency, neurology and orthopedics.

With PACS, clinical images are instantly and simultaneously available for study at multiple locations within a trust. PACS supports more effective team working between clinicians and therefore aids swifter and more accurate diagnoses and treatment for patients.

In radiology, PACS is combined with a radiology information system, or RIS. Radiologists report on the x-rays and scanned images they can view on PACS, and the subsequent reports they produce are then accessible from the images with which they are associated.

Why do we need PACS?

For the past 100 years, film was the main means for capturing, storing and displaying radiographic images. However, film is a fixed medium with usually only one set of images available.

PACS allows for a near filmless process, with all of the flexibility of digital systems. It also removes the costs associated with hard film processing and releases valuable space previously used for film storage. Most importantly, PACS is helping to transform patients’ experience of the care they receive across the NHS. It does this by enabling a speedier diagnosis and by removing the risk of images being lost or misplaced.

How does PACS improve patient care?

With PACS clinicians can access the right image in the right place at the right time. The technology enables:

• Faster accessibility to medical images for the clinicians who evaluate and report on them. This can lead to the speedier availability of results.
• No lost or misplaced images, which means fewer patients having their consultations or operations postponed or cancelled.
• Fewer unnecessary re-investigations, which in turn reduces the amount of radiation to which patients are exposed.
• Flexible viewing, with the ability to manipulate images on screen, ensuring that patients can be diagnosed more effectively.
• Instant access to historic images, so that new and old images can be compared and the progress of patients’ treatment and condition(s) monitored.
• Better teamwork and collaboration because, with PACS, images can be viewed from multiple terminals and locations within a trust by a range of clinicians. And the vast majority of trusts now have the ability to share images electronically with other trusts.

As a result of all of these improvements, PACS is enabling patients to move on quickly to the next stage in their treatment.

MedWOW features an impressive array of new, used and refurbished PACS, as well as replacement PACS parts from a variety of manufacturers. As the principal international eCommerce platform for all kinds of medical equipment, MedWOW, features a comprehensive searchable catalogue that allows you to filter for make, manufacturer, continent, condition, price range, seller’s business type and communications protocols when shopping for your PACS.

Currently MedWOW features PACS from the following manufacturers:

Agfa, Agilent, AMS, Dicomit Imaging Systems, Dyonics, GE Healthcare, Hewlett Packard, Kodak, Radrix Systems, S&S MedCart, Sectra and Sony.

If you don’t find the specific PACS you are looking for, you can post a free buying request which typically will bring you a number of competitive quotes from MedWOW’s global inventories.

Leasing & Financing Solutions for US and Non-US Medical Equipment Purchasers

As making sure that no matter where in the world they are located, all MedWOW users have good access to medical equipment leasing & financing, the MedWOW medical equipment marketplace decided to associate with a leading US financing company, in order to provide individualized, tailor-made financing solutions. This is an unmatched opportunity to purchase US-produced medical equipment under excellent loan conditions, to creditworthy buyers anywhere in the world. This service is the latest in MedWOW’s commitment to providing turnkey, comprehensive solutions for medical equipment professionals globally.

This new leasing and financing service is powered by an experienced major funding leader in the United States. Exclusive to MedWOW, this new Financing Service Partner conducts business in more than 80 countries, and possesses the capability of carrying out transactions in nearly every country in the world; opening new purchasing possibilities to medical professionals everywhere. With the launch of this new partnership, MedWOW’s Financing Service Partner can now offer MedWOW users the most aggressive, customized rates and terms in the business. All of these favorable medical equipment financing services are available exclusively through MedWOW.

American customers can choose from 2 types of preferable financing services with excellent terms: either Leasing or Letter of Credit. Medical equipment leasing can be a shrewd option to purchasing. This especially can be the case if the equipment is expensive and won't turn a profit for years. Alternatively, you may need to maintain up to date equipment and avoid tying up cash in equipment that can become obsolete in a few years. Leasing can also be a good method of financing when you can't afford the down payment on an expensive instrument that is necessary to your practice. Either way, leasing your medical equipment can be a better alternative than a cash purchase or loan financing.

Medical equipment leasing enables US medical facilities to procure equipment, without having to draw down their current bank credit lines. The Letter of Credit program allows buyers of medical equipment to receive extended payment terms of 60, 90, 180 days and up to 2 or 3 years, depending on the transaction size.

Medical administrators everywhere know that the business of medicine is continually changing. New technology brings better opportunities for medical care, as specialized machines continue to be developed. As a result, medical equipment financing and leasing has become more important than ever.

Customers outside of the US can choose from 2 types of unique medical equipment financing services with excellent terms: either the exclusive U.S. Export-Import Bank Loan Program or Letter of Credit. The U.S. Export-Import Bank Loan Program gives creditworthy international buyers, in both the public and the private sector, an unmatched opportunity to purchase US-produced medical equipment under excellent loan conditions. Loans are available for purchase of both new and used medical equipment manufactured in the US, and all loans are guaranteed by the US government. Letter of Credit allows buyers of medical equipment to receive extended payment terms of 60, 90, 180 days, and up to 2 or 3 years, depending on the transaction size and country of origin for buyer and seller.

Shockwave Lithotripsy for Blasting Kidney Stones

Exactly what causes kidney stones is not known. There can be many different reasons. The most common type in about 80% of cases is composed of calcium oxalate crystals. Other types of kidney stones are composed of magnesium, ammonium, phosphate, calcium phosphate and cystine. Uric acid stones are another different type of stone in about 5–10% of cases.

Even though calcium is one of the major minerals in kidney stones, research now shows that having a low calcium diet actually increases the incidence of kidney stones. When calcium levels are low your body produces more oxalate which does increase your risk of kidney stones.

Usually kidney stones can pass without assistance or are removed from the body without causing permanent damage. However, if a kidney stone blocks urine flow for a period of time, complications can arise. Prevention of kidney stones is important because repeated occurrences of kidney stones increase the risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

A complication of kidney stones is the need for invasive treatments. If the stone cannot pass on its own, the first treatment tried is often shockwave lithotripsy. The shockwave lithotripsy procedure uses high-energy sound waves directed at the stone to break it up into smaller pieces so that it may be more easily passed.

According to the American National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, more than 5 percent of the US population will have kidney stones, which is probably generalizeable to other countries. Men are more likely than women to acquire kidney stones, particularly between the ages of 40 and 70. For women, the prevalence actually decreases after age 50. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, or "blasting" of the stones, is a popular treatment for kidney stones.

In extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, shockwaves that are created outside the body travel through the skin and body tissues until they hit the denser kidney stones. After the stones have been hit, they will break down into sand-like particles that are easily passed through the urinary tract in the urine.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy uses shockwaves to break up stones, so that they can easily pass through the urinary tract. Most people can resume normal activities within a few days. Complications of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy include blood in the urine, bruising, and minor discomfort in the back or abdomen.

MedWOW features a large selection of new and used lithotripter systems, as well as replacement lithotripter parts from a variety of manufacturers. As the principal international eCommerce platform for all kinds of medical equipment, MedWOW, features a sophisticated searchable catalogue that allows you to filter for make, manufacturer, continent, condition, price range, coupling technique, DICOM 3.0 COMPLIANT, type of motor, transducer type, triggering and shockwave type when shopping for a lithotripter.

Currently MedWOW features lithotripters from the following manufacturers:
Direx, Philips, Siemens, Waltz, Gyrus Acmi, ENGEMED, Dornier MedTech, Fuzhou Secure, MTS and many more. If you don’t find the exact extracorporeal lithotripter system you are looking for, you can post a free buying request which typically will bring you a number of competitive quotes from MedWOW’s global inventories.

Better Diagnoses Thanks to Digital Tomosynthesis

Although it is steadily spreading to more applications, digital tomosynthesis is primarily used in breast imaging, where it offers better detection rates than mammography, with little extra increase in radiation exposure. Suggested uses include: visualization of pulmonary nodules, mammography, angiography, dental imaging and delineation of fractures. Because the image processing is digital, a series of slices at different depths and with different thicknesses can be reconstructed from the same acquisition, saving both time and radiation exposure. Tomosynthesis is preferable to standard planar X-ray in the following applications:

• Nephrology
• Mammography
• Chest imaging
• Orthopedics
• Brachytherapy
• Dental imaging

Digital tomosynthesis is a technique of generating images of slices through the body using a general radiographic X-ray system with a direct digital radiography detector. This is accomplished by obtaining a large, representative number of low-dose acquisitions across a range of projection angles of the X-ray tube. Currently, tomosynthesis is an optional add-on for suitable direct digital radiographic systems (flat panel detectors). The additional software controls the movement of the X-ray tube and the reconstruction of the images.

Modern digital RF equipment with a flat panel detector can be operated in tomosynthesis mode. In order for a flat panel detector system to carry out tomosynthesis, it requires the following:

• Control of the smooth movement of the X-ray tube, at the required speed
• Rapid pulsing generator
• Modern fast flat-panel detector

There are significant advantages, from an economic point of view, for tomosynthesis, as there is a reduction in the numbers of patients needing to have CT, MRI or nuclear medicine scans. Digital tomosynthesis can effectively improve the non CT- based treatment planning in radiotherapy and are especially useful in the following fields: source localization in Brachytherapy; long -term evaluation of treatment based on follow-up and study of complications arising from the possibility to relate dose distribution to anatomy if combined with depth dose data; and cost-effectiveness of treatment planning for clinics by integration of data acquisition and treatment planning processes. However, tomosynthesis is not a replacement for CT. Rather, it is an improvement over conventional radiography by bringing in some 3D information.

As images are clearer and diagnoses more accurate using digital tomosynthesis, more and more radiography and imaging departments are increasingly taking advantage of its benefits. It is assumed that with time, tomosynthesis will be used in more applications as its effectiveness is tested and proven. If you are interested in purchasing this type of equipment, a sensible place to look is MedWOW, where you can find a large selection of all sorts of radiography and imaging equipment, as well as digital tomosynthesis-related parts from global vendors, which translates into more competitive prices and services for buyers.

When searching on MedWOW for radiographic X-ray systems, digital mammography and direct digital radiography detectors needed for tomosynthesis; go to MedWOW’s all-inclusive and intuitive search engine, which allows you to find the exact used tomosynthesis equipment that you are searching for, using filtering options such as: manufacturer, model, price range, year manufactured, location and many other filters.

Another alternative is to post a buying request for the type of digital tomosynthesis -related equipment you are looking for, by filling out a form and giving as much information as possible. MedWOW attracts sellers from all over the world and so you will likely be sent a few quotes for your selected digital tomosynthesis.