SpineAnalyzer That Spots Bad Vertebrae Gets U.S. Clearance

The domain of diagnostic radiology is ripe for decision support tools and virtual reality augmentation. There are huge numbers of images captured at locations that lack immediate expert radiologic services, especially in under-served areas and third world nations. Telemedicine alone isn't going to solve the need to augment the clinician at the point of care. Rather, sophisticated computerized imagery interpretation will eventually be an inexpensive tool that will elevate the non-radiologist clinician to a point that they can provide safe and accurate interpretations. Trust me on this one... it will happen. Below is just one example that is already on its way:

Story from Medgadget:

SpineAnalyzer That Spots Bad Vertebrae Gets U.S. Clearance: "

Mass High Tech is reporting that Optasia Medical out of Sudbury, MA received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its SpineAnalyzer X-ray analysis software. The system can help identify deformed vertebrae between T4 and L4.

About the SpineAnalyzer from the product page:

SpineAnalyzer™ helps identify even subtle vertebral deformities by efficiently and comprehensively annotating spinal anatomy. This unique software workflow solution enables rapid and reproducible assessment of the accepted quantitative standard (6-point morphometry), by providing full, easily editable contours outlining vertebral shape. The software employs a proprietary statistical model-based image analysis technique, which uses simple manual single-point initialization to automatically segment the lateral vertebral margins of the spine on selected vertebrae from T4 to L4. SpineAnalyzer™ produces a report that shows deformed vertebrae and permits the physician to compare these to a report from other time-points.

Annotating vertebraeDeformity results table Workflow facilitation

SpineAnalyzer™ is designed to fit seamlessly into the existing workflow of scoring lateral spine images for vertebral deformity. On a PC with access to the x-ray or VFA (DXA) images from either PACS, DICOMDIR or network files, the clinician performs the following steps:

* Selects patient and displays lateral spine x-ray or VFA images.

* With a single click per vertebra, labels the vertebrae of interest. Any vertebrae between T4 and L4 can be analyzed.

SpineAnalyzer™ then performs the following steps:

* Automatically annotates vertebral body margins and places points for 6-point morphometry.

* Allows clinician to review validity of annotations and make corrections as needed.

* Grades the severity of deformity.

* Facilitates the reporting of SQ scoring and differential diagnosis.

* Produces a PDF format report and allows optional export of analysis data.

Product page: SpineAnalyzer...

Mass High Tech: Optasia gets FDA clearance on spinal imaging analyzer...

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