Imaging Diagnostics encompasses any imaging modality that produces a visual representation of structural or functional patterns of organs, bones, or tissues. They are for use in clinical diagnosis or research-based inquiry including measurement of physiological and metabolic responses to physical and chemical stimuli.

Photonic imaging utilizes light of varying frequencies, specifically x-rays and gamma rays, to provide images for diagnosis and research.

With the delevopment of this technology the quality of images advances medicine and the quality of care given to patients. Modern imaging diagnostics can ensure earlier detection of malignant cells, bimodal imaging with minimal exposure, increased information sharing, remote imaging, high resolution imaging (negating the need for invasive biopsies) and more.

Imaging Diagnostic Systems' Computed Tomography Laser Mammography (CTLM®) uses lasers to image the breast. This non-invasive procedure images blood hemoglobin and the process of neoangiogenesis (new vessel formation which is often associated with breast cancer). This procedure is much more effective at imaging dense breast tissue than conventional mammography. This technology has reduced the number of invasive biopsies required. It may allow for increased mass screening of women at earlier ages than is now possible with conventional x-ray.

PET scans utilize the chemical functionality of the body to image cancerous tumours. Radiolabelled sugar molecules are injected into the body. Malignant cells have a higher metabolism than surrounding healthy cells, therefore more of the radiolabelled sugar molecules accumulate in malignant cells. Scanners placed around the body detect the gamma rays produced when the positrons from the radiolabelled sugar molecules interact with electrons in the body.

Nanotechnology may launch a new generation of medical imaging. Within the science of nanobiotechnology, the goal is to design multimodal nanoparticles to allow for different imaging techniques to be run simultaneously. The results can provide a more comprehensive diagnosis including molecular and morphological changes on a cellular level. This can detect a disease process earlier, illustrate the progression of a disease, and allow a more targeted treatment regimen to be implemented.

Second only to invasive cardiac catheterization, myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is fast becoming the non-invasive diagnostic tool of choice for ischemic heart disease. Under stress conditions, diseased myocardium receives less blood flow than normal myocardium. Introduction of radiopharmaceutical prior to stress induction makes it possible to map healthy versus diseased tissues, without the necessity of an invasive, potentially risky procedure.

Leaders in this field include:

• Indigo, a member of the Johnson & Johnson group
• AGFA
• GE Medical Systems
• Imaging Dynamics Company, Ltd.
• Siemens
• Philips

ELCAN Customer Success in the Imaging Diagnostics field:

• Indigo
• Imaging Dynamics Company, Ltd.

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