We are probably fortunate that government shutdowns don’t happen more often. Prior to this week, you had to go back to the mid-90s for the last shutdown, but they were much more common before that. There have now been 12 government shutdowns since 1981. Notably, nine of those lasted three days or less; the current shutdown is in day four.

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG AEX: PHIA) and Accenture (NYSE: ACN) today announced the creation of a proof-of-concept demonstration that uses a Google Glass™ head-mounted display for researching ways to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of performing surgical procedures. The demonstration connects Google Glass to Philips IntelliVue Solutions and proves the concept of seamless transfer of patient vital signs into Google Glass, potentially providing physicians with hands-free access to critical clinical information.

Demand for radiologists was flat in 2013 compared with 2012, and looks to remain stable through 2016, according to results of a survey of practice leaders published in the October issue of the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

As the dust settles following the official shutdown of a number of federal services, the effect on medical research is becoming clearer. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health that would normally be conducting clinical trials have had to furlough thousands of employees and turn away patient volunteers.

The total utilization rate for all ultrasound-guided (US-guided) procedures doubled between 2004 and 2010, according to an analysis of claims data published online Sept. 26 in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.

Kan-Di-Ki LLC, which operated in Southern California as Diagnostic Laboratories and Radiology, will pay $17.5 million to settle allegations that it paid kickbacks for the referral of mobile lab and radiology services billed to Medicare and Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program.

As the U.S. healthcare system prepares to absorb an influx of new patients, one of the top stories from this past week revolved around one hospital’s work to expand services to a growing patient population.

IMRIS Inc. today announced that the first brain tumor patient was enrolled by the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, for an expanding clinical neurosurgical database designed to study the use and benefits of ceiling-mounted high-field intraoperative MRI.