Mobile MIM Medical Diagnosis Approved by FDA

Mobile MIM Medical Diagnosis Approved by FDA. With the help of a software called Mobile MIM and their iPads or iPhones, doctors can now view images and make medical diagnoses — based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine technology, such as positron emission tomography (PET) — outside of their workstations.

However the Food and Drug Administration, which recently approved the device, stressed that it is not intended to replace workstations and should be used only where there is no access to a work station.

Mobile MIM Medical Diagnosis

FDA News Release:
FDA clears first diagnostic radiology application for mobile devices
Provides wireless access to medical images for iPhone, iPad users

A new mobile radiology application cleared today by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow physicians to view medical images on the iPhone and iPad manufactured by Apple Inc.

The application is the first cleared by the FDA for viewing images and making medical diagnoses based on computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and nuclear medicine technology, such as positron emission tomography (PET). It is not intended to replace full workstations and is indicated for use only when there is no access to a workstation.

“This important mobile technology provides physicians with the ability to immediately view images and make diagnoses without having to be back at the workstation or wait for film,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., chief scientist and deputy director for science in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Radiology images taken in the hospital or physician’s office are compressed for secure network transfer then sent to the appropriate portable wireless device via software called Mobile MIM.

Mobile MIM, manufactured by Cleveland-based MIM Software Inc., allows the physician to measure distance on the image and image intensity values and display measurement lines, annotations and regions of interest.

In its evaluation, the FDA reviewed performance test results on various portable devices. These tests measured luminance, image quality (resolution), and noise in accordance with international standards and guidelines.

The FDA also reviewed results from demonstration studies with qualified radiologists under different lighting conditions. All participants agreed that the device was sufficient for diagnostic image interpretation under the recommended lighting conditions.

The display performance of mobile devices can experience significant variations in luminance levels even between mobile devices of the same model.

The Mobile MIM application includes sufficient labeling and safety features to mitigate the risk of poor image display due to improper screen luminance or lighting conditions.

The device includes an interactive contrast test in which a small part of the screen is a slightly different shade than the rest of the screen.

If the physician can identify and tap this portion of the screen, then the lighting conditions are not interfering with the physician’s ability to discern subtle differences in contrast. In addition, a safety guide is included within the application.

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For other posts on new technologies and their impact on people’s health, check out our posts on scrotal hypothermia or the effect of hot laptops on your lap, the negative effects of 3D movies, and premature facial wrinkles supposedly caused by iPhones and Blackberries.

Mobile MIM Medical Diagnosis Approved by FDA. Posted 4 February 2011.

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