Dear Business & Industry Insider,
A recent industry research report on the PET market found that no dedicated PET-only scanners were sold in the U.S. in 2008, with all new system sales consisting of hybrid PET/CT units.
So the market for dedicated PET is dead, right? Maybe not. PET developer Positron is planning to buck the industry trend by bringing to market a dedicated PET camera optimized for cardiac applications using the rubidium radiopharmaceutical.
The Fishers, IN, firm reasons that it can carve out a lucrative niche with a cost-effective system built through a joint-venture partnership with Chinese manufacturer Neusoft Medical Systems. The product would be targeted at cardiologists' offices and rural hospitals, in particular.
Want to learn more about the business plan? Just read staff writer Wayne Forrest's article by clicking here, available to Insider subscribers several days before the rest of the AuntMinnie.com membership.
In other news in your Business & Industry Digital Community, consolidation in the PACS market took another turn this week with the news that Amicas of Boston plans to acquire fellow PACS firm Emageon of Birmingham, AL. The companies cemented the deal after Emageon's previous suitor, Health Systems Solutions, was unable to come up with the financing to complete the purchase. Learn more by clicking here.
Also, the industry lobbying group Access to Medical Imaging Coalition (AMIC) is criticizing a recommendation from the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) to change the formula that determines physician reimbursement rates for advanced imaging procedures. Find out why by clicking here.
Finally, learn about a new bill in the U.S. Congress that would require private payors to reimburse for screening mammography and breast MRI studies. Would the bill be a boon to manufacturers of mammography and breast MRI systems? See for yourself by clicking here.
