MolecularImaging.net Debuts First-of-Its-Kind Portal Dedicated to Molecular Breast Imaging

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MolecularImaging.net, the leading global information source for clinicians and administrators in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine, today launched a new online portal dedicated to Molecular Breast Imaging. The portal, sponsored exclusively by Gamma Medica, Inc., resides permanently on MolecularImaging.net and will provide daily updates on news, clinical case studies and feature stories on molecular breast imaging and its role the early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. Additionally, a monthly eNewsletter will be sent to subscribers detailing key advances in the field.

“Educating breast imaging specialists, mammographers, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging specialists is important to spreading the word on the success of functional breast imaging—as an alternative to traditional, anatomic-based technologies—for better and earlier detection and treatment of breast cancer”

In this new era of digital molecular imaging technology, Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) has been developed as the most advanced molecular imaging technology used for breast imaging today. The new LumaGEM™ Molecular Breast Imaging System developed by Gamma Medica is the first commercially available, planar, dual-head, fully solid-state digital imaging system utilizing cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) technology used for breast imaging.

In clinical studies, LumaGEM™ has detected millimeter-size breast cancers missed by mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue. With large studies documenting superior sensitivity and specificity compared to mammography and MRI, the LumaGEM MBI System has already established itself as an effective secondary diagnostic tool in breast cancer detection. However, current clinical studies are underway showing those same clinical results while at the same time, reducing the radiation dose equal to that of digital mammography. With these clinical findings, LumaGEM Molecular Breast Imaging is emerging as the possible first line screening tool for women with dense breast. A population that until now, has been largely underserved by current imaging technologies such as mammography.

“We are proud to partner with MolecularImaging.net to develop this new Molecular Breast Imaging Portal,” said Debbie Thomas, vice president marketing, Gamma Medica, Inc. “There have been so many technological advancements in the field of women’s imaging over the past ten years alone. For so long now, mammography was relied upon to be the answer for all of women’s imaging. We now see technologies such as ultrasound, breast MRI, and molecular imaging demonstrate their clinical benefits in certain patient populations as an adjunct tool to mammography on the diagnostic side. However, addressing the screening side of breast imaging and the known shortcomings mammography has in women with dense breasts is an even greater challenge,” added Thomas.

“Developing a true low dose molecular breast imaging technology that can deliver the sensitivity and specificity required, while keeping both system and reimbursement costs down, will be the future for screening women with dense breast tissue. It is a privilege to be able to deliver this new Molecular Breast Imaging technology to the many dedicated breast health specialists and their patients across the country. This new Molecular Breast Imaging portal will be an excellent source of up to date and accurate information as this technology comes into its own,” concluded Thomas.

“Educating breast imaging specialists, mammographers, nuclear medicine and molecular imaging specialists is important to spreading the word on the success of functional breast imaging—as an alternative to traditional, anatomic-based technologies—for better and earlier detection and treatment of breast cancer,” said Mary C. Tierney, editorial director of TriMed Media Group. “Preliminary studies have shown molecular breast imaging, with its high specificity, is making inroads in at-risk populations such as dense-breasted women. We are pleased Gamma Medica has chosen to sponsor the Molecular Breast Imaging portal to broaden the knowledge of healthcare providers on this emerging field. We hope this leads one day to better outcomes for breast cancer patients.”

To visit the Molecular Breast Imaging portal, go to www.MolecularImaging.net and click on “portals.” To sign up to receive the free, once a month eNewsletter dedicated to Molecular Breast Imaging, visit us at http://subs.MolecularImaging.net.

About MolecularImaging.net

MolecularImaging.net hosts Molecular Imaging's eNewsletter, quarterly magazine, special sections and portals. The site engages molecular imaging physicians and executives with the latest news and information relating to the fields of molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. MolecularImaging.net is read by physicians, executives and clinicians in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine. It is part of TriMed Media Group, a multimedia company focused on healthcare technology and business strategies, servicing over 132,000 subscriptions to C-suite business and technology executives, and clinical professionals worldwide. The TriMed Media team brings more than 100 years of collective experience in medical and business publishing. TriMed Media Group strives to create insightful business resources that help clinical leaders and executives succeed today and look wisely into the future.

About Gamma Medica, Inc.

Gamma Medica, Inc. (GMI) www.gammamedica.com is a world leader in advanced medical imaging. GMI’s imaging systems are based on novel technologies to improve patient health through early diagnosis of disease, improved patient treatment and by enabling new drug discovery. Gamma Medica is dedicated to leading medical imaging into a new digital era with its unique sensor readout systems. The company’s core digital imaging technologies also hold great promise for a new class of solutions for the safety and security markets.

In the company’s Pre-Clinical Division, GMI offers the world leading FLEX Triumph™ and Explore™ imaging platforms for medical research and drug discovery and development. The FLEX Triumph system combines PET (LabPET™), SPECT (X-SPECT®) and CT (X-O™) modalities in the world’s first tri-modality system. Gamma Medica’s pre-clinical imaging products are distributed exclusively by GE Healthcare globally and in Japan by SII NanoTechnology, a Seiko company. Of note, Explore™ is a registered trademark of GE Healthcare.

In the Clinical Division, Gamma Medica offers the LumaGEM™ Molecular Breast Imaging System. As the first commercially available, FDA cleared, planar, dual head, fully solid state digital imaging system utilizing cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) technology used for breast imaging, LumaGEM is able to detect millimeter-size breast cancers missed by mammography, especially in women with dense breast tissue.

The Industrial Division, based in Norway, performs research and develops and produces key electronics components and sub-systems for Gamma Medica, such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), detector modules, and camera subsystems built with GMI’s unique solid-state technology.