MEDICA 2012 PREVIEW
International focus on medical innovation
Taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany, (14-17 November) MEDICA features 4,500 exhibitors from 60 countries, usually attracting over 134,000 visitors from healthcare providers and companies across the globe. The Clinical Services Journal provides an insight into the event’s key attractions and this year’s hot topics.
TheWorld’s largest medical trade fair, MEDICA provides a forum to showcase the latest healthcare breakthroughs – including new therapeutic methods for heart diseases and dysrhythmias, the latest advances in endoscopic techniques, pioneering techniques using robotic technologies, and the development of digital innovations with the potential to transform healthcare delivery. The MEDICA halls are dedicated to a
number of key sectors of healthcare. These include: electromedical equipment and medical technology; laboratory technology/diagnostics; physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology; medical products (i.e. commodities and consumables); information technology and communications; medical furniture and building technology. Many examples of diagnostic and
therapeutic progress will be discussed and presented at the event. High on the agenda, this year, will be improving imaging diagnostics, with the use of ‘image fusion’, and new endoscopic techniques for diagnosing intestinal cancer.
Patients and healthcare providers stand
to benefit equally from ultrasound-based image fusion. Image fusion results in less radiation exposure for patients and obviates the need for contrast agent, which is toxic to the kidneys (Der Radiologe 2012; 52: 63-69). Healthcare providers can also save money as the number of CT or magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) scans can be reduced. The basic principle of ultrasound-
based image fusion is that computer data or MRT data are ‘incorporated’ in an ultrasound image. This makes spatial orientation, which is difficult with conventional ultrasonography, easier for
the examiner. Furthermore, this makes it easier to compare the results of ultrasound scans with each other, which is a significant gain for trend diagnostics. Dr Dirk-André Clevert,
assistant professor at the Grosshadern Hospital, said that ultrasound-based image fusion has ‘now become interesting for
small hospitals and even for radiologists with their own practice’. “Thanks to this technology, we now
have the chance to work with ultrasound without forgoing the benefits of CT or MRT imaging,” explained Dr Clevert. “Most of these patients have, in any case, already had a CT or MRT scan at some stage.We take this data and import it into the ultrasound system and the follow-up scans can be done with ultrasound alone.” Image fusion is not only of great benefit in diagnostics, but also for image-guided invasive surgery. Image fusion is currently proving
valuable in diagnosing liver metastases. According to Dr Clevert, up to 50% of
34
THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72