Siemens Healthcare has received clearance from the FDA for syngo Aortic ValveGuide, an integrated image processing software that helps cardiologists and cardiac surgeons prepare and perform transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Should the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revise its new directive on the preventive maintenance (PM) of medical devices? Presenters at ECRI Institutes Feb. 15 webinar addressing the matter answered that question with a resounding "Yes"and 221 members of the audience who voted in a flash poll during the event expressed a majority agreement.

NDS Surgical Imaging (NDSsi) has appointed Peter M. Steven, PhD, to the role of chief technology officer (CTO) following the retirement of the former CTO, Ron Hansen.

Edwards Lifesciences, a developer of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring systems, has received CE Mark in Europe for its Edwards Intuity valve system for use in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement.

The Canadian Isotope Project, led by the Canadian Light Source and the National Research Council of Canada, and medical researchers in Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto, is set to scale up its work to production levels for making medical isotopes with x-rays from a particle accelerator instead of a nuclear reactor, with the delivery of a new particle accelerator built by Ontario-based Mevex.

Molecular breast imaging techniques delivered improved management compared with ultrasound and helped detect malignant or high-risk lesions when used as an adjunct to mammography in women with negative or indeterminate results, according to a study published in the January issue of American Journal of Roentgenology.

Physicians may need to think twice about accepting that three-course meal or box seats for the Red Sox, especially after September 2013, which is the date the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require industry leaders to publish financial relationships with physicians on public websites.

A tentative deal is in place that will continue to hold off the 27.4 percent cut in Medicare physician payment rates, though it will be paid for with cuts to other federal healthcare funding.