Tim Thigpen, Editor EchoChief.com

http://www.echochief.com

2 Comments

    • GE's Dismal Earnings a Warning for Other Medical Device Companies [view article]
      Tis the best and worst of times.

      If you are seeking alpha and blue water, I'd suggest you begin to view markets from the perspective of saving time and money.

      Historically, devices/procedures and many new imaging techniques within a particular modality rely upon reimbursement codes.

      We see companies growing in our segment, cardiovascular ultrasound. The growth however is not based not on payments but rather what the deployment of the technology can do for lowering costs and reducing headcount/saving physcian time.




       Apr 25 10:08 PM
    • Acusphere: The Wall Street Analyst Forum Presentation Transcript [view article]
      A few questions worth asking of Acusphere:

      Are the majority of ultrasound systems used today in North America to perform stress echocardiography equipped with the proper option to perform the "perfusion imaging " as was used in their trials?

      The implication is that ultrasound manufacturers would likely benefit if this drug were to be approved for perfusion.

      Some ultrasound contrast agents carry explicit warnings about their use in acute ischemic cardiac patients due to mechanisms and complex interactions of contrast agents when imaged with ultrasound.

      Is it possible that additional warnings will be added to the final labeling restrictions as has happened with other agents? How might this impact the adoption of the ultrasound drug?

      Nuclear perfusion has additional costs and time related to complex analysis & imaging rendering techniques that improve its sensitivity.

      Does Acusphere propose that ultrasound will not have to rely on similar quantitative techniques?

      Time and cost advantages could narrow if more rigorous quantitative techniques proved necessary or desirable from the cardiologists perspective with regards to perfusion echocardiography.

      Also, approved ultrasound contrast agents for improved cavity delineation and wall motion analysis already exist. Yet their adoption has been hindered by pre-existing "workflow" impediments such as the fact that most cardiologists are not on hand at the time of the stress study, the staff in general does not like mixing drugs & starting IV's necessary for the administration of the contrast agents.

      How does Acusphere plan to improve the utilization of their agent where others have had problems?

      Existing agents have only been reimbursed as a "pass through charge", i.e. the net increase in income has been minor. How will this be different for Acusphere's agent? Do they foresee a new CPT code for perfusion?

      These and other complicated issues related to the cardiovascular ultrasound industry can be followed at EchoChief.com where I am the Editor.

      Sincerely,

      Timothy Thigpen


       Sep 26 07:12 PM
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