Digirad Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the First Commercially Performed Solid-state Nuclear Medicine Scan
June 02 2020 - 11:08AM
Business Wire
The first commercially performed solid-state
nuclear medicine image was scanned in June of 2000 using a Digirad
2020tc.
Digirad, a leading provider of nuclear imaging and diagnostic
expertise, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first
commercially performed solid-state nuclear medicine image being
scanned. The image was captured in June of 2000 using a Digirad
2020tc and ushered in a new era of imaging to cardiology and
nuclear medicine.
The development of the solid-state camera began years before
when Dr. Bill Ashburn, a leader and pioneer in nuclear medicine,
read an article in the San Diego Union-Tribune about solid-state
technology being developed by San Diego Semiconductor.
Dr. Ashburn formed what would become Digirad and began the
creation of the first solid-state detector head. Throughout the mid
to late 1990s Digirad developed the technology, was awarded
patents, and continued to refine the manufacturing process.
The result of this effort was the Digirad 2020tc. This imager
was a single head, general-purpose nuclear medicine camera
featuring an articulating arm and a unique, rotating SPECTour chair
for cardiac SPECT imaging. Digirad received their 510(k) clearance
from the Food and Drug Administration in June of 1997 for the
2020tc imager.
After continued trials and purchase commitments, the first
Digirad 2020tc cameras were delivered in late May of 2000, and the
first commercial scans using solid-state in the history of nuclear
medicine took place in June.
“The 20th anniversary of the first solid-state scan is a
significant milestone for nuclear imaging, and we’re proud of the
role Digirad has played in the development of this technology,”
said Matt Molchan, Digirad CEO. “Our team has built off that
legacy, and we feel that the X-ACT+ and Ergo represent the future
of solid-state nuclear medicine.”
Although Dr. Ashburn passed away in 2004, his legacy is alive
and shapes the nuclear medicine industry to this day. Now in its
sixth generation of detector head technology, the Digirad line-up
includes ground-breaking solid-state imagers such as the Ergo,
X-ACT+ and Cardius line of cameras.
About Digirad –
Digirad is the nationwide leader in delivering diagnostic
expertise on an as needed, when needed, where needed basis. Through
a unique model of on-demand, direct to point-of-service healthcare
Digirad assists thousands of providers across the country through
three distinct business segments. Digirad’s Diagnostic Services
segment offers mobile diagnostic services including staffing, gamma
cameras, accreditation and supplies to cardiologists. For over 20
years, Digirad’s Diagnostic Imaging segment has led the development
and innovation of solid-state nuclear imaging gamma cameras. The
Mobile Healthcare segment, DMS Health, provides contract diagnostic
imaging, including CT, MRI, PET/CT, and nuclear medicine. For more
information, visit www.digirad.com.
Nothing in this news release is an offer to sell or lease any of
the equipment or devices referenced herein.
[Editors: For media related to this release, visit
https://www.digirad.com/solid-state-media-kit/]
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200602005770/en/
Digirad Martin B. Shirley +1 770-813-8323
marty.shirley@digirad.com
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