DOTmed News HD was on the scene at Aurora's booth at the recent 2009 RSNA Annual Meeting. Featured in this video is Debbie Thomas, vice president of marketing for Aurora, talking about Aurora Imaging's 1.5 Tesla Dedicated Breast MRI System, AuroraCAD technology and Dedicated Breast MRI Mobile Solution.

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CEO Olivia Ho Cheng Spoke with DOTmed

Women's health has been in stark relief since the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) presented new recommendations for mammography screening in November. DOTmed met with Aurora Imaging CEO Olivia Ho Cheng at RSNA to get the goods on the company's dedicated breast MR technology and to gauge her opinion of the USPSTF's proposed changes.

Cheng noted that lawmakers, physicians, radiologists and manufacturers need to stay vigilant and focused on early detection.

"From the technology side, many, including scientists, physicians and engineers, are putting their effort into working together to come up with better solutions for early detection," remarked Cheng. "Until we find a more effective and affordable way to do it, I don't think it is wise to toss away evidence-based guidelines that are already in place and have been proven to be effective."

Aurora Imaging has felt the pressures of the economic downturn, Cheng told DOTmed. "We are experiencing a slow economy and health care reform is reducing reimbursement and creating a cloud over us."

Still, the company has been keeping a close eye on the market, and according to market research, the total number of patients who underwent breast MRI in the first half of 2008 jumped 23 percent from the previous year. Forecast annual growth is expected to be around 28 percent each year for the following five years. This is not only due to the sale of fixed-unit breast MRI systems, but mobile solutions, as well.

The Aurora Breast MRI Mobile Solution (see video) saw its first year at the recent RSNA annual meeting. Aurora's mobile MRI solution is more accessible for rural areas and lower volume practices, and was developed in partnership with Alliance Imaging, a logistics and mobile solutions provider for all imaging modalities.