NewsThe Medipattern Corporation Begins Beta Testing of Breast Imaging Software, B-CAD'TM', in Industry-Leading Luminary Sites
TORONTO, ONTARIO, Aug 9, 2005 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) --
The Medipattern Corporation (TSX VENTURE:MKI), a leading developer of computer-aided detection (CAD) software applications for medical imaging, announced today it has established six luminary sites for B-CAD(TM), its flagship product, that aids in the detection of abnormalities in breast ultrasound. The luminary sites are clinical settings that will both allow top medical professionals to use and evaluate Medipattern's breast-imaging technology and bring B-CAD into active patient use. Medipattern will begin beta testing immediately.
Luminary relationships with imaging leaders and breast cancer specialists represent a significant milestone in Medipattern's strategy, and will speed time to market for B-CAD. B-CAD's knowledge-based technology is designed to save money for hospitals by improving diagnosis, save time for radiologists by augmenting their tools, and most importantly, improve patient experiences and save patient lives.
This initial luminary group will be coordinated by Sandra Stapleton, Clinical Consultant for Medipattern. Ms Stapleton, an M.Sc. in medical imaging, spent five years at R2 Technology Inc., where she was the Vice-President of Technology. "B-CAD is a powerful technology," said Ms. Stapleton. "As evidenced by its list of luminaries, Medipattern has sought out the best breast ultrasound experts in North America, who will provide invaluable clinical insights to the further development of B-CAD."
Dr. Thomas Stavros commented, "I am excited to work with this team at Medipattern on CAD-enabled ultrasound. This tool should help spread acceptance of benchmark U.S. breast imaging standards as the foundation of best practices in CAD-enabled ultrasound." Dr. Stavros is Director of Ultrasound at the Sally Jobe Breast Center in Denver, Colorado, one of the premier clinics in the United States, and now a Medipattern luminary site.
"B-CAD is an excellent training and teaching tool for anyone beginning in breast imaging; it clearly shows the interaction of features we use everyday to classify breast lesions and should help spread the adoption of the breast-imaging standards the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Committee has created," stated Dr. Ellen Mendleson, Chief of Breast and Women's Imaging at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago.
"This technology has great potential in breast ultrasound," added Dr. Gary Whitman, of the University of Texas' M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and the 2004 recipient of the Presidential Recognition Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine for his outstanding contributions to ultrasound in medicine.
Medipattern recently received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for B-CAD. Medipattern will draw on the vast experience and knowledge of it luminaries for beta testing and to help guide the future development and clinical validation of B-CAD.
The group of luminaries includes the following well-known and respected individuals:
Wendie Berg MD, Ph.D. - Breast Imaging Consultant and Study Chair ACRIN Protocol 6666, Lutherville, MD. Dr. Berg, is formerly a Professor of Radiology and Director of Breast Imaging at University of Maryland. She is now Study Chair and Principal Investigator of a multi-million-dollar, multicenter investigation of the role of screening breast ultrasound as a supplement to mammography in women with dense breasts at high risk of breast cancer.
Marcela Bohm-Velez MD, Weinstein Imaging Associates, Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Bohm-Velez is an active participant in the ultrasound and mammography accreditation process for the American College of Radiology (ACR). She served as chair of the ACR's Appropriateness Criteria Expert Panel on Women's Imaging that reported on ovarian cancer screening and suspected adnexal masses, and also reported on palpable breast masses, breast microcalcifications, and stage I breast cancer.
Paula Gordon MD - Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, University of British Columbia. Dr. Gordon is an expert in breast ultrasound and since 1993 she has been the Director of the Mammography Teaching Program at the University of British Columbia. In addition, she is a consultant for the B.C. Women's Breast Health Program and a Screener, and Head of the Academic Committee for the Screening Mammography Program in Vancouver, B.C.
Ellen B. Mendelson MD - Professor of Radiology at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago and Chief of the Breast and Women's Imaging division Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Ill. Dr. Mendelson is Co-Investigator of the ACRIN Protocol 6666 Study and a member of the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) Committee.
Cindy Rapp, BS, RDMS, RDCS - Sally Jobe Breast Center, Greenwood Village, CO. Ms Rapp received the 2005 Distinguished Sonographer Award from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), honoring her outstanding contributions to the development of diagnostic ultrasound. She is also Chair of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) Breast Registry and an AIUM - Breast Ultrasound Accreditation Reviewer.
A. Thomas Stavros MD - Director of Ultrasound, Sally Jobe Breast Center, Greenwood Village, CO.; Medical Director for Clinical Site Sonographer Training Program, University of Colorado; Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO. Dr. Stavros' recent book, Breast Ultrasound, is a complete and definitive guide to performing and interpreting breast ultrasound examinations.
Gary Whitman MD - Associate Professor of Radiology, Section of Breast Imaging, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Whitman is the Medical Director of the Mobile Mammography Program at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.