Diagnosoft, Inc. recently secured FDA approval for their Diagnosoft HARP
product, software that assists physicians in the analysis of magnetic
resonance (MR) images by providing quantitative measurements and
visualization of regional heart function. Based on exclusively licensed
technology from Johns Hopkins University (the technology was developed by
the founders at JHU), this product is the first FDA approved software
designed for the analysis of tagged MR images. Diagnosoft, Inc. is a
privately held company (see diagnosoft) specializing in image
analysis software for assistance in diagnosis, staging, and therapeutic
monitoring of cardiovascular diseases.
"Robust image analysis methods applied to so-called "tagged" MR images
provide cardiologists and radiologists with a powerful tool for the
measurement and visualization of cardiac muscle performance -- that is,
regional cardiac function -- at a level that has not been possible before,"
said Dr. Jerry Prince, PhD, Diagnosoft Founder and Professor at JHU.
"Radiologists have been limited to the visual analysis of MR images in
order to detect weaknesses or abnormalities in the heart muscles. With the
Diagnosoft HARP software, images can now be automatically analyzed to
reveal a quantitative measure of function and these measures can be
visualized on a standard map designed to help physicians correlate
abnormalities with coronary arteries that could be blocked."
Beta versions of Diagnosoft HARP software have already been licensed
for research purposes to more than two dozen research-oriented institutions
around the world, including Carnegie Mellon University, Johns Hopkins
University, Cleveland Clinic, Allegheny General Hospital, Cincinnati
Children's Hospital Medical Center, and the University of Pennsylvania
School of Medicine. With FDA approval, Diagnosoft HARP is now cleared for
clinical applications and can be used by radiologists, cardiologists, and
pharmaceutical companies in assisting the diagnosis, staging, and
monitoring heart disease as well as in the development of new therapies.
Drs. Nael Osman and Jerry Prince, both founders of Diagnosoft,
developed the HARP algorithm at Johns Hopkins University, where they are
both currently on the faculty and experts in medical image analysis. Dr.
Matthias Stuber, also a founder and faculty member at JHU, brings
additional expertise in MR imaging to the company.
"I am very excited about our recent FDA approval," said Dr. Nael Osman,
"Now, Diagnosoft customers can benefit from the full power of the HARP
algorithm. We will now see our technology actually used in clinical
medicine to help detect early heart disease in a way that was not possible
before. This was my vision when I started Diagnosoft."
About Diagnosoft HARP(R)
Diagnosoft HARP is a computer assisted tool that displays new
diagnostically relevant information about cardiac performance to the
clinician. More information should assist in more specific diagnosis using
noninvasive imaging methods, which is more efficient for the clinician and
safer for the patient. The Diagnosoft HARP algorithm automatically
generates cardiac bulls-eye diagrams of myocardial strain, directly and
comprehensively visualizing regions of deprived myocardial function and
effectively becoming the clinicians "second pair of eyes."
About Diagnosoft, Inc.
Diagnosoft, Inc., based in Maryland and California, is a medical
imaging company dedicated to diagnostic decision support by increasing
physician productivity and accuracy while helping to improve patient
outcome and reduce medical errors. Diagnosoft, Inc. is a leader in the
research and development and of computer-aided diagnostic software, an
innovative technology that assists cardiologists & radiologists in the
earlier detection of cardiac disease and coronary abnormalities. For
information, visit diagnosoft.
Diagnosoft(R) is a registered trademark of Diagnosoft, Inc.
HARP(R) is a registered trademark of Johns Hopkins University. Diagnosoft,
Inc. disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
Diagnosoft, Inc.
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