MEDRAD and USF sign research agreement to study FDG administration effect on the workflow for PET imaging procedures

Aug 25 2009

MEDRAD, Inc. has signed a research agreement with the University of South Florida (USF) to study the impact of automated Fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) administration on the workflow for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging procedures. Clinicians at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida will utilize MEDRAD's Intego(TM) PET Infusion System to measure and infuse patient-specific FDG doses while industrial engineers from USF gather and analyze workflow data.

The study is designed to compare manual infusion to automated infusion, and to quantify time, cost, and labor savings that is expected to result from the process improvements enabled by automated FDG infusion. The Intego System improves workflow by eliminating manual steps in the preparation and handling of patient doses through design that incorporates a multi-dose FDG vial and dose-on-demand technology. Intego also provides safety and accuracy benefits by reducing radiation exposure from dose preparation and infusion by at least 20% and infusing FDG within +/- 2% of the measured dose.

"Intego improves workflow and saves time, compared to manual infusion," says Doug Descalzi, Executive Director, MEDRAD Molecular Imaging. "Intego workflow and process advantages are unique and can be significant contributors in a growing PET clinic's efforts to manage costs and drive utilization."

The Intego System automatically extracts a patient dose from a multi-dose vial and infuses it directly into the patient, virtually eliminating manual dose preparation and handling and the corresponding radiation exposure to the technologist inherent in manual preparation. With the Intego System's dose-on-demand capability, the prescribed dose can be delivered when the patient and clinician are ready. This enables the clinician to easily and efficiently respond to schedule changes, patient delays, and add-on patients. Innovative features, including real-time dose availability information, an integrated ionization chamber, and an optional weight-based dose calculation, allow the healthcare provider to customize each patient's dose. Safety features include a tungsten multi-dose vial shield, a fully lead-lined mobile cart, and an automated saline flush to remove residual FDG from the line after each infusion.

"As a busy PET site, we are keenly interested in improving our workflow and processes, and measuring Intego's potential impact in these areas," says Edward Eikman, M.D., Moffitt Cancer Center. "Intego is novel and creates potential to provide top level care while managing the practical challenges of PET imaging."

"We are enthusiastic about working with MEDRAD and Moffitt to quantify the benefits that automated FDG infusion can bring," says Ali Yalcin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, University of South Florida.