RSNA News - March 2005

Announcements

Ultrasound Training Center Opens in Belgrade

The Jefferson Ultrasound Research and Education Institute (JUREI) at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia was instrumental in the establishment of an ultrasound training center in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia and Montenegro.

The center was dedicated in October in honor of native Serbian Alexander Margulis, M.D., former chairman of radiology at the University of California, San Francisco. Over the past 10 years, Dr. Margulis has worked tirelessly to advance radiology worldwide.

JUREI, under the direction of Barry B. Goldberg, M.D., is also dedicated to advancing radiology, especially in emerging nations. This is the 65th affiliated ultrasound training center for JUREI.

The Belgrade center was also the beneficiary of a grant from Lifeline, a charity run by Serbia's Princess Katherine, and 30 ultrasound units donated by Siemens.

(from left) Serbia's Prince Alexander, Hedvig Hricak, M.D., Ph.D., Barry B. Goldberg, M.D., Alexander Margulis, M.D., and Serbia's Princess Katherine.

Pioneer Award Program Opens

Nominations are being accepted until April 1 for the 2005 NIH Director's Pioneer Award.

"The Pioneer Award supports scientists of exceptional creativity who take innovative approaches to major challenges in biomedical research," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. "We look forward to adding a new cohort of visionary thinkers to the outstanding group of scientists chosen in the first year of this program."

Unlike other NIH grants, which support research projects, the Pioneer Award supports individual scientists. The award gives recipients the intellectual freedom to pursue new research directions and highly innovative ideas that have the potential for unusually great impact.

NIH Posts Information for New Investigators

The Office of Extramural Research (OER) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has added Web pages that provide new researchers with a better understanding of how NIH works. The Web site describes current policies, data related to the influx of new investigators, resources that new investigators can use, and helpful hints that might be useful in constructing a first application for NIH support.

The information can be found at grants.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/index.htm.

FDA Offers Patient Information on Recently Approved Devices

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Devices and Radiological Health has created consumer information Web pages for two recently approved medical devices. The pages briefly describe the devices, explain what they are intended to do, and tell how they should and should not be used.

One device is the Endologic PowerLink® System for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p040002.html). The second is the Charité™ Artificial Disc for treating pain associated with degenerative disc disease (www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p040006.html).

NEMA Releases Code of Ethics

The National Electronic Manufacturers Association (NEMA) has approved a voluntary code of ethics for manufacturers of medical imaging and radiation therapy equipment. The code provides recommended practices on interactions between suppliers of medical imaging equipment and healthcare providers. These practices address such issues as product training, educational conferences and consultation.

To review the code, go to www.nema.org/media/pr/upload/NEMA%20CodeofEthics.FAQ.adopted.pdf.

Medical Imaging Company News

• Eastman Kodak Company has entered into an agreement to acquire OREX Computed Radiography Ltd., for $50.5 million in cash.
  
• AliMed, Inc., has acquired Arista Surgical Supply Company. AliMed manufactures and supplies products ranging from diagnostic imaging and operating room accessories, to orthopedic rehabilitation equipment and ergonomic workplace solutions.