Methodist tests Philips imaging suite for epidemic, bioterrorism
Methodist Hospital Research Institute (MHRI) in Houston is partnering with Philips Healthcare to build a multi-modality suite capable of imaging highly infectious patients in a contained, quarantine-like environment.
According to a news release from MHRI, construction of the $8.6 million test facility will complete this month. It will house an MRI, PET/CT scanner, SPECT/CT scanner and C-arm—all built by Philips.
Housing the equipment will be airtight imaging “cells” designed to protect patients, researchers and staff from exposure to, initially, infected research organisms and, ultimately, infectious patients, according to Methodist. In addition, image scanning will enable time-series imagery.
“After 9/11 and the SARS outbreak in southeast Asia, the NIH wanted to build a BSL-4 imaging suite for studying infectious agents, both natural and bioterrorism-related,” said King Li, MD, MHRI radiology chair and the project’s leader. “I was at the NIH [National Institutes of Health] at the time, and helped design the imaging equipment for that facility.”
Li’s work with Philips led to two pending imaging patents, according to the release.
According to a news release from MHRI, construction of the $8.6 million test facility will complete this month. It will house an MRI, PET/CT scanner, SPECT/CT scanner and C-arm—all built by Philips.
Housing the equipment will be airtight imaging “cells” designed to protect patients, researchers and staff from exposure to, initially, infected research organisms and, ultimately, infectious patients, according to Methodist. In addition, image scanning will enable time-series imagery.
“After 9/11 and the SARS outbreak in southeast Asia, the NIH wanted to build a BSL-4 imaging suite for studying infectious agents, both natural and bioterrorism-related,” said King Li, MD, MHRI radiology chair and the project’s leader. “I was at the NIH [National Institutes of Health] at the time, and helped design the imaging equipment for that facility.”
Li’s work with Philips led to two pending imaging patents, according to the release.
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.