Perkel takes over as Planar CEO

Planar Systems Inc. this week named Gerald K. Perkel as president and CEO. He also will serve the on the company's board of directors.

Perkel was most recently the president and CEO of Merant PLC, a provider of ECM (enterprise-change management) software that was acquired by Serena Software in 2004. Previously Mr. Perkel was president of the Office Printing Business at Xerox, a multi-billion dollar segment of Xerox's business.

Balaji Krishnamurthy who served as president, CEO, and chairman since 1999 resigned the position this week.

Around the web

Positron, a New York-based nuclear imaging company, will now provide Upbeat Cardiology Solutions with advanced PET/CT systems and services. 

The nuclear imaging isotope shortage of molybdenum-99 may be over now that the sidelined reactor is restarting. ASNC's president says PET and new SPECT technologies helped cardiac imaging labs better weather the storm.

CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.