After several years of clinical evaluation in Europe, the Swedish IT and medical technology company Sectra is now introducing its unique combination of a low-dose digital mammography system and its osteoporosis testing technology as a generally available product at the ongoing RSNA 2004, the scientific assembly and meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
Combining these products enables the unique capability of performing osteoporosis testing by simply acquiring an x-ray of a woman's hand in connection with a mammography examination. The highly precise Sectra Digital X-ray Radiogrammetry (DXR) technology was approved by the FDA in 2000 for deriving Bone Mineral Density (BMD) from hand radiographs acquired with mammography x-ray equipment. Sectra's DXR technology has since been commercially available as an option for adding BMD testing to existing mammography equipment used for breast cancer screening. Now it is also available as an integrated product with the digital Sectra MicroDose Mammography system.
"Combining the patented DXR technology and our MicroDose Mammography, with its very high throughput capabilities and its low radiation, utilizes the strong synergy between the two products, significantly benefiting our customers", says Torbjörn Kronander, President of Sectra Imtec AB. "This product combination offers the best possible option for establishing an efficient osteoporosis testing program on mammography equipment while keeping the radiation exposure on a screened population to a minimum, Torbjörn Kronander adds."
As life spans continue to increase, the incidences of diseases associated with advancing age also increase. Examples of such diseases include osteoporosis, considered to be the most expensive disease in the world, and breast cancer. These diseases mainly affect middle-aged and older women, and early diagnosis is critical in successful treatment. Sectra's osteoporosis-testing software, combined with Sectra MicroDose Mammography, is dedicated to women's health, enabling highly effective solutions for hospitals and breast clinics all over the world.
About Sectra's medical operations
Sectra, the recipient of the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Medical Imaging Company of the Year Award, is one of today's major diagnostic imaging providers with more than 550 installations worldwide. Sectra's core business is delivering top-of-the-line, high-availability, robust enterprise diagnostic imaging for 24/7 operation. In Scandinavia, Sectra is the market leader with more than 50% of all film-free installations. Internationally, Sectra PACS™ is marketed and sold through various partners. The company has a large number of systems installed in most major countries in Europe, the Far East and North America through partners.
Sectra Imtec AB, Dr. Torbjörn Kronander, President,
+46 705 23 52 27
Sectra AB, Dr. Jan-Olof Brüer, President and CEO,
+46 705 23 52 09,
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Sectra has its roots at the Linköping Institute of Technology and is one of Sweden's fastest growing high-tech IT companies. Since the mid-1980s, Sectra has successfully conducted development and sales of advanced products in expansive niche segements. Today, Sectra's operation includes products in medical systems and secure communication systems.
Operations are conducted in eight countries and the Company has approximately 350 employees. Sales for the fiscal year 2003/2004 amounted to SEK 495 million. Since March 1999, Sectra's shares have been quoted on the O-list of the Stockholm Exchange.
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