Enterprise imaging and software developer Intelerad Medical Systems has acquired Life Image, a developer of software for sharing medical images.
The acquisition closely follows Intelerad's recent deal to buy PenRad Technologies and acquisition of cloud imaging company Ambra Health last year, and it creates the largest medical image exchange network in the world, Intelerad said. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Importantly, the move lays the groundwork for the elimination of CDs as the primary means of image transfer, the company added.
Patients across the U.S. are still receiving copies of their medical images and scans via CDs, which not only makes image viewing a difficult and time-consuming process for patients and providers alike but also costs some healthcare systems as much as $100,000 a year on purchasing, burning, and couriering CDs, according to Intelerad representatives.
With the acquisition, the combined Intelerad/Life Image network will manage more than 80 billion images globally, enabling 24/7 digital image sharing from any device wherever providers or patients may be, the company said.
