First of all, what is document-imaging? Having a basic understanding of what it is will help you to determine if it is the right selection for your specific needs. Document-imaging is a software program that can be used to store and manage documents. It also is able to help you retrieve and distribute the documents that your need quickly. It is usually quite easy to be used by yourself or for a group to access.

But, just having an answer as to what document-imaging is doesn’t necessarily prepare you for what you should be looking for when purchasing the software to use. Here are some things to look for in document-imaging.

• Look for applications that fill your needs for document-imaging to a T. In other words, with so many options out there, you should be able to find those that fit your needs the best. Make sure to look at all various software programs to determine those that will serve your needs exactly.
• To this point, you will find that many document-imaging software applications are designed for specific uses. This can help to make it easier for you to use each one.
• You should also spend some time comparing the various features that are offered through each of these as this will help you to prepare for what tasks you need. Some unnecessary features for your needs may actually have the product costing more than you should have to pay. Likewise, some features will actually help you to increase productivity as well.
• Lastly, you will want to find the right product for your price range. With many options out there, you are sure to find those that fit both your document-imaging needs as well as your budget needs. You can use the web to help you find the various options that you have to compare them.

While most believe an ultrasound technologist career begins and ends with examining babies who have yet to be born, many neglect to realize they also perform medical duties that can help save lives. Detecting birth defects in fetuses and determining genders of babies are a big part of the job, but so are medical imaging of all kinds as well as therapeutic applications. What will you encounter if you enroll in an ultrasound technologist program to eventually become an ultrasound technologist? Read on for some of the adventures in store for you as a possible lifesaver.

A Tale in Medical Imaging
When aspiring ultrasound technolgists attend ultrasound technologist schools, they learn medical sonography, also known as ultrasonography. Ultrasonography is a useful diagnostic medical imaging technique that helps ultrasound technologists visualize muscles, tendons, and many internal organs. This innovation is also used to visualize a fetus during pregnancy.

The Therapeutic Applications
Did you know ultrasounds can treat benign and malignant tumors? This is something you will learn after you attend an ultrasound technologist school. When used with dosage precautions, an ultrasound technologist can help a patient in need of therapy. This form of therapeutic application is known as focused ultrasound surgery or high intensity focused ultrasound.

Ultrasounds can also be used during teeth cleaning in dental hygiene or biological heating of tissues during occupation a therapy and cancer treatment.

Want to Be a Life Saver?
From therapeutic applications in treating tumors to detecting problems before they worsen, it’s no question an ultrasound technologist can save lives. Interested in doing just that? Ultrasound technologist schools can provide you with the proper training to become a professional imaging specialist. After you train at an ultrasound technologist program, you can assist physicians and help improve medical diagnostics of patients in need.

Biomedical equipment technicians or BMETs represent a growing group of people who are technically trained whose biggest responsibility is the maintenance and repair of medical imaging equipment like a a CT scanner, ultrasound, x-ray MRI, and so on. The career path for BMETs appears to be brightening as fast as newimaging equipment} is coming out.

First and foremost, the demand for BMETs is growing. The increase is due to the expansion in new equipment used for medical imaging and technologies that require BMET knowledge, and, by the need for income by organizations that own medical imaging equipment. As medical services such as hospitals recognize that downtime on a piece of imaging equipment affects income generation, there is urgency to add BMETs to hospital staff to make sure that every piece of imaging equipment is kept in working order so that costly service contracts are used as little as they can be. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Imaging (AAMI) suggest that the number of BMET jobs in the United States will rise 24% to 31% up through the year 2010.

Historically, BMETs were trained on the job. But, as equipment for medical imaging technology has increased, the need for quality and consistent training has too. Now, most BMETs have earned an Associates degree in medical imaging technology, electronics or an engineering-related field. Recently an experiment by the AAMI discovered that 62 percent of all BMETs went on to willingly become certified by the International Commission on Accreditation. ICC Certification for BMETs is a formal recognition by the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) that individuals have shown achievement in theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles of biomedical technology.

The BMET role keeps evolving and, as it does, the educational requirements have begun to grow as well. The BMET job has begun to follow the trail of many different jobs both in and out of the medical field where increasingly more education is needed to obtain a job and/or advance within a job field.

BMETs say that employers are starting to require bachelors degrees for advancement to a supervisory rank or in a few situations simply to become a BMET within some institutions. While this requirement might limit the job opportunities for few current BMETs, the great news is that strengthened educational requirements bring the chance for greater income. Studies have determinedshown|found out} that entrance pay levels for BMETs are from $20,000-$30,000. However, senior and supervisory jobs can get salaries as high as $80,000. The future appears good for career growth in this area.

Biomedical equipment technicians or BMETs represent an expanding group of technically trained personnel whose main responsibility is the maintaining and repairing equipment that deals with medical imaging such as x-ray, CT scanners, ultrasound, MRI, laser technology and so on. The job outlook for BMETs seems to be improving as quickly as newmedical imaging equipment} is coming out.

The need for BMETs is growing. The increase is due to the growth in new equipment used for medical imaging and technologies that require BMET expertise, and, by the need for revenue by institutions that have medical imaging equipment. As institutions like hospitals recognize that downtime on a piece of medical imaging equipment affects revenue generation, there is pressure to add BMETs to hospitals to ensure that every piece of medical imaging equipment is maintained in working order so that costly service contracts are used as minimally as they can be. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Imaging (AAMI) think that the number of jobs available as a BMET in the US will increase 24 percent to 31 percent up through the year 2010.

Not that long ago, BMETs were trained on the job. But, as equipment for medical imaging knowledge has advanced, so has the need for consistent, quality training. Now, most BMETs have obtained an Associates degree in medical imaging technology, electronics or an engineering-related field. Recently an experiment by the AAMI discovered that 62% of all BMETs journeyed on to voluntarily become certified by the International Commission on Accreditation. ICC Certification for BMETs is a formal recognition by the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) that candidates have shown excellence in theoretical as well as knowledge of the principles of biomedical technology.

The BMET job description keeps evolving and, as it changes, the educational requirements have started to increase also. The BMET profession has started to walk the trail of lots of other professions both in and out of the medical field where increasingly more schooling is required to serve in a job and/or excel inside a job category.

BMETs say that those who employ them are starting to make one have bachelors degrees for advancement to a higher rank or in some situations simply to be a BMET inside some institutions. While this requirement might limit the job options for few BMETs serving right now, the great news is that increased educational requirements creates the chance for greater salaries. Studies have determinedshown|found out} that entrance salaries for BMETs are from $20,000-$30,000. However, higher positions can command salaries as good as $80,000. The future appears bright for future salary growth in this field.

Biomedical equipment technicians or BMETs represent an expanding class of people who are technically trained whose biggest responsibility is the maintenance and repair of medical imaging equipment like a a CT scanner, ultrasound, x-ray MRI, and so on. The career road for BMETs appears to be turning as rapidly as equipment for medical imaging is turning.

First and foremost, the demand for BMETs is growing. This growth is because of the growth in new medical imaging equipment and technologies that have to have BMET knowledge and by the necessity for revenue by institutions that own medical imaging equipment. As institutions similar to hospitals recognize that downtime on a piece of equipment for medical imaging affects revenue generation, there is demand to add BMETs to hospitals to assure that every piece of equipment for medical imaging is maintained in good condition. So that costly service contracts are used as little as possible. The U.S. Department of Labor and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Imaging (AAMI) guess that the number of BMET jobs in the US will come up 24 percent to 31 percent throughout the year 2010.

Historically, BMETs were trained on the job. However, as equipment for medical imaging technology has increased, so has the need for consistent, quality training. Today, many BMETs have earned an associates degree in equipment of medical imaging technology, electronics or an engineering-related field. A recent study by the AAMI discovered that 62 percent of all BMETs journeyed on to become freely certified by the International Commission on Accreditation. ICC Certification for BMETs is a formal recognition by the International Certification Commission for Clinical Engineering and Biomedical Technology (ICC) that some people have demonstrated excellence in theoretical as well as orderly intelligence of the principles of biomedical technology.

However, the BMET job continues to evolve and as it does, the educational requirements have started to expand as well. The BMET profession has started to walk the path of lots of different careers both in and out of the medical field where lots more education is needed to obtain a job and/or excel inside a career field. BMETs report that people who employ them are starting to make you have bachelors degrees for growth to a higher rank or in a few cases to become a BMET inside some institutions. While this requirement might constrain the job opportunities for few BMETs serving right now, the great news is that with strengthened educational requirements creates the opportunity for greater salaries. People have found out that beginning pays for BMETs range from $20,000-$30,000. However, higher positions can get salaries as good as $80,000. The future appears bright for career growth in this area.

Medical Radiographers are professionals who use complicated imaging apparatus to x-ray various parts of the human body and assist a thorough diagnosis. They execute medical imaging actions to diagnose medical problems. They are also responsible for preparing patients for radiology examinations, positioning them properly under the machines and ensuring accurate doses of radiation. They also have to maintain patient records and radiographic apparatus.

They find employment in medical practitioner offices, clinics, hospitals and diagnostic imaging centers. Their earning ranges from $18.00 to $24.50 per hour. The medical radiography field over the next few years is expected to grow by leaps and bounds. An estimated job opening of 200 vacancies every year is expected. This is because radiography is assuming important proportions in the diagnostic field. It is almost impossible to diagnose a disease without use of radiography.

The American Registry of Radiology Technologists, ARRT, administer certifying exams for Radiology Technologists. In the Arizona State, a certificate from Medical Radiology Technology Board of Examiners (MRTBE) is necessary for employment. Gate Way community college is one of the colleges offering courses in medical radiography. It offers an associate in applied science degree in medical radiography. The degree not only teaches basic imaging principles, but also prepares the student with the job skills necessary for service. After doing a foundation course in medical radiography the student can further advance his career prospects in other imaging professions such as diagnostic medical ultrasound, nuclear medicine technology and magnetic resonance imaging. Apollo College, Colorado Technical University are among many schools and colleges that offer degree or certificate programs resulting in a career as an X Ray technician, Radiographer or a Radiology Technologist.

Featuring localized interface that addresses needs for Spanish-speaking users, eFilm Spanish(TM) allows for viewing, manipulation, and CD/DVD burning of digital medical images. It replicates functionality of downloadable eFilm Workstation v2.1, which includes features for thumbnail views and MPR, spine labeling, and splitting image series. This radiology software application also offers hanging protocol functionality.

MILWAUKEE, Aug. 9 — Merge eMed, a Merge Healthcare company (Nasdaq: MRGE; TSX: MRG) and a leading medical imaging software and services company, today announced the release of eFilm Spanish(TM), a Spanish language version of the company’s widely used eFilm Workstation.

The Spanish version of the software replicates eFilm Workstation 2.1, released by Merge eMed in October 2005. This version included several new features including enhanced thumbnail views and MPR, spine labeling, splitting image series and improved support for CD and DVD burning. eFilm Workstation 2.1 also added improved hanging protocol functionality for organizations using eFilm in conjunction with Merge eMed’s FUSION PACS and RIS/PACS solutions.

“Merge Healthcare is pleased to expand the usability of our eFilm Workstation by localizing the interface for our Spanish speaking customers,” says Robert White, Merge eMed president. “eFilm Workstation was the first radiology software application available via eCommerce at a price point that made the introduction of digital reading easy and accessible for radiologists in the United States, and continues today to be one of the most widely used diagnostic desktop software applications in the world. The introduction of eFilm Spanish replicates this very successful model for a new market of Spanish speaking customers.

“We will continue to leverage widespread use of eFilm Workstation software to further assist our customers with the care they provide patients and their transition from film to filmless workflow environments,” said White.

The Deal: Becton, Dickinson and Company has agreed to acquire the 95 percent stake in Tripath Imaging Inc. that it does not already own for approximately $350 million. Under the terms of the agreement, Becton, Dickinson and Co. will pay $9.25 per share. At that price, the deal would value 100 percent of the company at about $355.7 million. TriPath has agreed to pay a termination fee of $12.25 million under certain conditions if the deal does not close. Certain TriPath executives, including CEO Paul Sohmer, will receive bonus payments if the deal is concluded by the end of the first quarter of 2007 and additional retention bonuses for remaining with the company after the merger. The deal still requires approvals from TriPath shareholders and regulatory agencies.

Discussion: TriPath Imaging develops equipment used for cervical cancer screenings. The company’s products include equipment pre-screening Pap smears, slide preparation systems, and systems for cell collection, preservation, and transportation.

Becton, Dickinson and Co. make medical equipment, including drug delivery systems, infusion therapy devices, and surgical blades. The company is one of the top manufacturers of syringes in the world. Becton, Dickinson also makes diagnostic products, medical data systems, and offers consulting services. TriPath is already working with Becton, Dickinson on developing cancer diagnostic tests. After the deal closes, TriPath will operate as a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson.

The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) traditionally provides an exhibit hall at makes others pale in comparison. This year, Oct. 3-6 in beautiful San Francisco, MGMA offers three days of exhibit hall exploration, with the chance to see an impressive array of information technology, to attendees at its annual conference. Suppliers of practice management systems, electronic medical records, scheduling, transcription and voice recognition services, wireless technology, credentialing info tech, financial and claims management systems and document management technologies will be on hand to demonstrate their products and help attendees consider what’s right for their organizations.

To help maximize your MGMA exhibit experience, Health Management Technology offers a showcase of some products you can personally test-drive at the conference. While you are there, stop by HMT Booth 1309 and say hello.

Companion Technologies Booth 523

Companion Technologies develops practice management, electronic medical records and electronic data interchange software.

Companion PM is a fully integrated practice management system that works on Windows, Unix and Linux platforms. Its modular design can be scaled to meet specialty-specific requirements while accommodating changes in practice size and organization. Companion EMR is a Windows-based electronic medical records system that works on PCs, handhelds, laptops and tablets. It provides local and remote access to clinical data and automates prescriptions, labs, encounters, medical histories, patient education, and more.

Companion Technologies also offers group practice and claims management EDI systems that automate billing processes and help reduce errors, maximize reimbursement and improve cash flow. Visit Booth 523 to see which system best fits your data management needs.

Dictaphone Corp. provides solutions that use speech recognition and natural language processing technology–to streamline the clinical documentation process and reduce transcription costs.

EXSpeech offers transcription-assisted speech recognition integrated with Dictaphone’s dictation system. Enterprise Workstation 2.0 is optimized for complete provider control of documentation with voice-driven self-editing of recognized documents. It also incorporates technology that automatically extracts key medical data from text reports for quick look-up and reuse to speed documentation further. The GoMD suite provides PDA-based dictation and charge capture. The ichart solution offers these products on a centrally hosted ASP basis.

We apply the technique of second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy to obtain large area submicron resolution image of Type I collagen from rat tail tendon as it is heated from 40°C to 70°C for 0-180 min. The change in the collagen structure as reflected in its SHG image is observed at length scales from submicron to hundreds of microns. We observed that heating the tendon below the temperature of 54°C does not produce any change in the averaged SHG intensity. At the heating temperature of 54°C and above, we find that increasing the heating temperature and time leads to decreasing SHG intensity. As the tendon is heated above 54°C, the regions where the SHG signal vanish and form a tiger-tail like pattern. In addition, a decrease in the SHG signal occurs uniformly throughout the tendon. By comparing the relative SHG intensities in small and large areas, we found that the denaturation process responsible for forming the tiger-tail like pattern occurs at a higher rate than the global denaturation process occurring throughout the tendon. We also measured the fibril spacing and found that it remains constant at 1.61 ± 0.04 micron for all heating temperature and times. The constant fibril density shows that the global denaturation process occurs at a length scale smaller than the size of the fibril. Our results show that second-harmonic generation microscopy is effective in monitoring the thermal damage to collagen and has potential applications in biomedicine.

Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is the main component of connective tissues. It is responsible for the tensile strength in ligaments and tendons, the elasticity for skin, and the transparency and structural support for the cornea. The most prevalent collagen is Type I collagen, which is found in bones, tendons, and scar tissues. The triple helix of Type I collagen molecules are composed of polypeptide chains, each contains the repeated G-X-Y sequence, where G represents glycine, and X and Y usually correspond to usually praline or hydroxyproline (1). They combine to form microfibrils few nanometers in diameter, which then combine to form collagen fibrils that are few hundreds nanometers in diameter. The fibrils further bundles to form collagen fibers that are a few to hundreds of microns in diameter.

Thermally induced conformational changes in collagen have been actively studied, not only because collagen is the most abundant protein of the extracellular matrices, but also due to its relation to the application of several medical procedures. Examples include the use of heating to change cornea curvature, and the use of laser heating to stabilize shoulder joint and to rejuvenate skin (2-4). The response of collagen to heating has been studied using different methods including differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction, NMR, and spectroscopy (1,5,6). The denaturation of collagen is complicated among other variables by its polymeric nature and cross-linking. Despite numerous efforts, the precise mechanism of collagen denaturation remains unknown (1).

Among the various methods that can be used to study collagen denaturation, second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy is unique in that it is a nonlinear optical technique that has potential to be applied to collagen studies under in vivo conditions (7-13). In short, second-harmonic generation (SHG) is a coherent process in which two photons at the fundamental frequency are converted into one photon at twice the fundamental frequency. Due to the nonlinearity of the process. SHG occurs only in structures that lack inversion symmetry, and it has been demonstrated that Type 1 collagen is efficient in generating second-harmonic signals (7-13).

In this study, we used high resolution SHG microscopy to investigate the thermal denaturation of collagen from rat tail tendon. In particular, we obtain high resolution SHG images of heated collagen fibrils. We attempt to characterize the change in the SHG image as the collagen fibril undergoes thermally induced structural changes.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Sample preparation

Fresh rat tails obtained from the National Taiwan University Hospital were frozen at -80°C until before the experiment. Previous studies have found that freezing and thawing rat tail tendons do not affect their SHG signals (8,10). On the day of the experiment, the rat tails were first allowed to thaw at room temperature before the individual tendon fascicles were removed and placed in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solutions (product specifications 0.01 M phosphate buffer, 0.0027 M potassium chloride, and 0.137 M sodium chloride, pH 7.4, at 25°C). The fascicles were then placed inside a tube filled with PBS solution and heated for a specific time in a thermal hath that was maintained at a given temperature. The heating temperature and lime were chosen based on a previous study where the SHG signal was found to change significantly between 50°C and 60°C for a heating lime of 10 min (7). After heating, the fascicles were placed on top of a PBS welted tissue paper, which was then placed on top of the glass slide to keep the fascicles moist. Finally a glass coverslip was added and sealed to prevent the tissue moisture from evaporation.