LAUNCH OF FIRST IN THE WORLD DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

PROJECT BASED IN IOWA ASSISTED WITH U.S. HOUSE FUNDS

 

VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNOLOGY HAS ALREADY SAVED LIVES IN TEST PHASE

WASHINGTON, DC – A medical facility in Marshalltown, Iowa is developing technology that is expected to save many lives.  In fact, in the past few weeks a local physician can attest to how technology that will be used in cooperation with the new virtual reality diagnostic imaging protocol being developed by the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center saved his life when it found a 99% blockage in a major artery in his heart.

The technology being developed by the not for profit community hospital and Mechdyne/Fakespace in Marshalltown received a federal financial vote of confidence this week when the U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved legislation that included $320,000 in funding for the life-saving project.  Iowa Congressman Tom Latham secured the funding in the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2007.

“This cutting edge, first in the world life saving technology is truly an Iowa innovation,” stated Latham.  “And it is being developed in Iowa, by Iowa interests based on technology developed at Iowa State University.”

The technology is the first in the world to merge high resolution medical imaging with large scale virtual reality imaging.  It provides more detailed three-dimensional imagery which allows physicians greater insight into their patients and provides a faster and more accurate diagnosis.

For example, currently, with scans of the heart or any other CAT scan type procedures, the images can only be viewed from the outside of the vein or artery.  The new technology will allow doctors to view the images from "inside" an artery or vein.  Looking down an artery or vein to see how much blockage or plaque is restricting blood flow with this new medical diagnostic imaging and non-invasive procedure will be a significant advancement in medicine.  The technology could be used for not only heart/artery scans but also cerebral scans, virtual colonoscopies, and bronchoscopies to name a few.

The three-dimensional visualization of the data obtained from the scan also allows for greatly increased patient, and patient family, education by allowing them to intuitively view and navigate their bodies and better understand their conditions.  It will greatly increase patient health literacy and safety, and lead to a better understanding of their health issues.

The measure that includes that funds secured by Latham is expected to be considered by the full House of Representatives sometime over the next week.

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The Office of Congressman Tom Latham
2247 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-5476