May 16, 2012 | Digital Pathology, Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Operations, Laboratory Pathology
Pathologists may do fewer lung biopsies should non-invasive breath testing technology make it into clinical practice
Here’s a medical laboratory test for diagnosing cancer that has the potential to score two runs with one swing of the bat. First, researchers have completed the first clinical trial of a non-invasive cancer test that utilizes a breath specimen.
Second, the subject of this clinical trial was lung cancer—a type of cancer that would benefit from a pathology test that can detect the disease much earlier. This would increase the survival rates for lung cancer, which currently has a five-year mortality rate of 90%.
As many pathologists and clinical laboratory managers know, it is possible to use breath specimens to diagnose a variety of diseases and health conditions. For almost 20 years, breath samples have been used to test for Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria which causes ulcers in the stomach.
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Jan 18, 2012 | Instruments & Equipment, Laboratory Instruments & Laboratory Equipment, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
Clinical laboratory directors and pathologists will see threats and opportunities as microelectronic devices offer new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities
In vivo clinical diagnostic testing just took a giant step forward. A team of medical engineers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a prototype microchip sensor implant designed to continuously monitor tumors remotely.
Internal Detection Device Allows For Remote Monitoring In Real Time
The device, called IntelliTuM (Intelligent Implant for Tumor Monitoring), detects the level of dissolved oxygen in the fluid near the tumor, according to an online article at Technology Review, published by Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
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Oct 31, 2011 | Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology
QuickCheck Health offers care delivery model that marries DTC diagnostic tests with physician review and follow-up
In an interesting twist on the direct-to- consumer (DTC) diagnostic testing market, QuickCheck Health (QCH) is developing a DTC testing platform that brings clinician oversight into the process.
Most pathologists and clinical laboratory managers know that over-the-counter (OTC) testing is one of the faster growing market segment of in vitro diagnostics. A number of OTC products—including tests for urinary tract infections, pregnancy, ovulation, fertility, HIV, and other conditions—are already on the market, stated an article in Technology Review.
However, the existing direct-to-consumer testing model has at least two drawbacks. First, treatment or follow-up care for these DTC tests requires a visit to the doctor. Second, most physicians are reluctant to treat with medication without validating the DTC test results generated by patient self-testing.
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Oct 24, 2011 | Laboratory Management and Operations, Laboratory News, Laboratory Pathology, Management & Operations
As popularity of retail clinics grows among consumers, so does the likelihood of increased clinical pathology laboratory testing at these locations
Retail clinics (RC)—often called “rapid clinics”—are growing at a phenomenal rate. At the same time, more hospitals and health systems are deciding to participate in this growing trend, either by owning and operating such retail clinics in their communities or by providing the clinical staff.
Since the inception of this new care delivery model about six years ago, Dark Daily has predicted that consumers will support rapid clinics located in certain retail settings. Events to date bear this out. For that reason, pathologists and clinical laboratory managers should expect to see, over time, a steady increase in the menu of diagnostic testing offered by retail clinics.
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Sep 26, 2011 | Uncategorized
Clinical and anatomic pathology laboratories may soon find next-generation DNA sequencing reliable and affordable
Swift advances in whole human genome sequencing may bring clinical applications to pathology on a much faster timeline than expected.
One impressive example of the fast pace of technology improvements is the Ion Torrent, which is a semiconductor-based DNA sequencer now capable of sequencing 100 million base pairs. That is ten times the sequencer’s capacity when it was launched just last December!
It was August of last year when Life Technologies (NASDAQ: LIFE) in Carlsbad, California, paid $375 million to acquire Ion Torrent Systems, a start-up with operations in Guilford, Connecticut, and South San Francisco. If Ion Torrent achieves certain technical milestones through 2012, it will earn another $350 million.
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