Author: pr web

September 7, 2022

• Leiden University Medical Center joins global network of partners in the development of Philips Spectral Angio CT suite and its use in clinical research, bringing spectral CT imaging technology into an integrated hybrid angio CT suite with the aim of innovating a range of treatment procedures
• CIRSE 2022 presentation by University of Insubria (Varese, Italy) details positive results of study that uses spectral CT to better guide lung tumor biopsies  
• Philips and University of Pennsylvania announce collaboration to investigate spectral CT guidance during interventional oncology procedures and its potential to confirm treatment effectiveness in real time

Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced new milestones in the development of the world’s first spectral detector angio CT solution – Philips Spectral Angio CT suite – bringing the company’s breakthrough spectral CT imaging technology into an integrated hybrid angio CT suite. By combining its award-winning [1] Spectral CT 7500 system and its Image Guided Therapy System – Azurion with FlexArm – in a fully integrated interventional suite solution, Philips aims to give physicians immediate access to these two key imaging modalities in a single room, enabling innovation in minimally-invasive procedures in areas such as oncology, stroke, and trauma care.

Philips today announced a new clinical partner and highlighted clinical studies that focus on the added value of using spectral CT imaging technology during interventional procedures.

Expanding Philips’ clinical network
Leiden University Medical Center (Leiden, the Netherlands) has joined Philips’ global network of clinical partners to investigate how its spectral detector angio CT solution could potentially offer new treatment opportunities and improve patient care.

“We are excited to co-create an innovation that could play a defining role in improving patient care in the space of interventional oncology,” said Mark Burgmans, MD, Head of Interventional Radiology at Leiden University Medical Center. “Adding spectral CT imaging to the interventional suite will enable us to offer new treatment opportunities, avoid moving patients from one imaging suite to another, and offer the unique benefits of spectral CT information when you need it.”

Other leading clinical institutes that Philips is working with on this innovation are Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN, U.S.) and Baptist Health’s Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute (Miami, FL, U.S.).

Philips Spectral Angio CT suite combines the company’s latest diagnosis and treatment technologies. Philips Image Guided Therapy System – Azurion with FlexArm – is the company’s next-generation image-guided therapy platform, integrating best in class imaging systems, software, and specialized diagnostic and therapeutic devices to support exceptional treatment for the most complex procedures. The addition of Philips’ award-winning Spectral CT 7500 system means physicians only need one scan to capture all the spectral information required to differentiate and quantify different tissues. Spectral CT enables improved detection, delineation, and quantification of lesions, leading to better-informed planning for minimally-invasive procedures and more precise interventions. It has already proved its worth in other areas of oncology – for example, it has demonstrated higher sensitivity in detecting malignant findings and improved readings of incidental findings [2][3]. With its ability to improve tissue characterization, the Spectral CT 7500 offers significant benefits over conventional CT.

Through continuous research, Philips is building clinical evidence that supports the added value of spectral CT imaging for diagnosis and treatment guidance.

Research results show better targeted biopsies using spectral CT guidance
At this year’s Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe Annual Meeting (CIRSE 2022, September 10-14, Barcelona, Spain) a presentation is being given by Filippo Piacentino, interventional radiologist at the University of Insubria (Varese, Italy), on the value of spectral CT imaging guidance for performing high-confidence tumor biopsies [4]. The results being presented illustrate the potential for Philips’ spectral CT technology to better guide biopsies by distinguishing between active and non-active regions in a tumor. Ensuring that a biopsy contains a high number of actively dividing cancer cells is important for high-confidence diagnosis.

“With conventional CT, large masses may appear as a largely uniform mass, making highly targeted biopsy difficult,” said Filippo Piacentino. “By fusing images from Philips’ XperGuide live needle guidance with images from spectral CT, that are color-coded based on the effective atomic number of tissues and provide a large amount of additional information, we can now investigate the possibility of obtaining better defined biopsy targets with a fewer number of inconclusive biopsies.”

New clinical collaboration on reduction of the risk of tumor recurrence
Philips also today announced a research collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania, PA, U.S.) to study the practicality of using spectral CT-based tissue temperature mapping to provide real-time feedback during tumor thermal ablation procedures to confirm its effectiveness before the patient leaves the room. This will potentially reduce the risk of localized tumor recurrence.

“Announcing these important milestones in the development of our unique Philips Spectral Angio CT suite shows our strong commitment and progress in co-creating the future of image-guided therapy,” said Karim Boussebaa, General Manager of Image Guided Therapy Systems at Philips. “By combining the best of our award-winning modalities into a single suite we aim to unlock new treatment approaches that could benefit both patients and their physicians.”

Visit Philips at CIRSE 2022
To learn more about Philips Spectral Angio CT suite, visit Philips at CIRSE 2022 and join the Philips symposia in which leading physicians will share their latest clinical insights on using this new imaging approach in interventional oncology. You can register via our dedicated CIRSE 2022 webpage.

[1] Minnie Award for Best New Radiology Device
[2] Analysis by Aarhus University Hospital Aarhus, Denmark. Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
[3] Analysis by University Hospital Cleveland, USA. Results from case studies are not predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.
[4] Filippo Piacentino, ‘Spectral CT as innovative imaging guidance in large lesions lung biopsies. XperGuide and Z-effective fusion for more defined targets, more diagnostic samplings and more biomarkers information’. CIRSE 2022

For further information, please contact:

Joost Maltha
Philips Global Press Office
Tel: +31 6 10 55 8116
Email: joost.maltha@philips.com

Fabienne van der Feer
Philips Image Guided Therapy
Tel.: +31 622 698 001
E-mail: fabienne.van.der.feer@philips.com

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people’s health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum – from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2021 sales of EUR 17.2 billion and employs approximately 79,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter.

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• Philips Spectral Angio CT suite

Highly layered magnetic material is compatible with semiconductor packaging 

RENO, Nev., Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Atlas Magnetics, Co., “AM,” is a Nevada-based fabless semiconductor company focused on advance material deposition on standard semiconductor packaging film to create unique IC solutions. AM announces a high-performance magnetic material to reduce the size of the magnetic components used in consumer and IoT electronic circuits effectively removing the inductor from the PCB in applications such as DC/DC power conversion.

AM solves the problem of direct integration of magnetics into integrated circuits “chips” by electroplating highly layered magnetic alloys directly on semiconductor epoxy packaging films for short connection to the semiconductor die using standard IC bumping processes.

This long-desired concept of using available semiconductor manufacturing processes to remove discrete components, such as inductors and transformers, was previously hindered by cost, frequency response, and incompatible processes. However, this development resolves these barriers while delivering the promised size reductions and performance enhancements by magnetic material deposition at temperatures and pressures compatible with semiconductor packaging.

“While layering magnetic materials to create high frequency, high efficiency cores is nothing new, what’s new is how to cost effectively create micron to sub-micron layering. This is accomplished by reducing the process steps per layer from 13 to just 4. This simplified process allows new magnetic materials to be engineered for frequency (60 MHz or greater) and Qs (up to 35) with layering up to 60+ layers,” stated Atlas Magnetics CEO, John McDonald. “When these 0.2 to 0.4 mm cores are used in a finished inductor or transformer, values of up to 1 μH for lower power applications, and for high-power reduced inductance applications current densities of up to 10A/mm2 can be achieved.

In fact, the layering can be so fine as to yield materials with unique mechanical and electrical parameters. This opens new avenues of research for novel materials not previously economically feasible.”

More information: www.atlasmagnetics.com

About Atlas Magnetics, Co.
Atlas Magnetic, Co., a Nevada corporation, was Series A funded in late July 2021 with $22.8M raised. AM has since grown to 40+ employees located around the world with primary research being conducted at the Nevada Center for Applied Research (NCAR) located at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

Atlas Magnetics, Co.
Media Contact: 
May Teeratrakoonchai
may@atlasmagnetics.com
408-502-4093

Solution provides visibility, intelligence and operational control to optimize rubber tire gantry crane fleet utilization and reduce TEU handling costs

Port of Tanjung Pelepas

ATLANTA , Sept. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Navis, a leading global provider of port and terminal operating systems and carrier and vessel technology solutions, today announced Port of Tanjung Pelepas successfully implemented Navis RTG Optimization to improve utilization of its rubber tire gantry crane fleet and reduce handling costs per TEU. RTG Optimization processes multiple dynamic business rules and complex operating constraints to automate execution decisions, increase crane productivity and improve operating efficiency.

As one of the world’s busiest container ports and Malaysia’s largest container terminal with an annual capacity of 12.5 million TEUs, Port of Tanjung Pelepas operates state-of-the-art facilities that include 172 rubber tire gantry cranes to manage container stacking on-site. Port of Tanjung Pelepas is a joint venture between MMC Corporation and APM Terminals, a leading global ports group. PTP is one of the first APMT terminals to implement Navis RTG Optimization.

“We are excited to partner with Port of Tanjung Pelepas and APMT to support their business goals,” said Kirk Knauff, CEO of Navis. “RTG Optimization is an example of the innovation we are driving in our execution platform to unlock new value for our customers.”

As the premier global provider of terminal operating systems, Navis’s deep domain knowledge, implementation agility and ease of partnership enabled successful implementation and delivery of RTG Optimization at Port of Tanjung Pelepas.

Marco Neelsen, Chief Executive Officer of Port of Tanjung Pelepas said, “The transition of digitalization and automation is speeding up in the entire maritime industry. To secure efficient, sustainable operations and business competitiveness, PTP has proactively invested in its assets and infrastructure aligned with the PTP ESG agenda and digital strategy roadmap. PTP is committed to continue with the journey and further create sustainable value for our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders.”

Joe Schofield, Chief Operating Officer of Port of Tanjung Pelepas said, “Digitalization is the way of the future, and our goal is to use technology to create a safer work environment for our workforce while simultaneously improving our efficiency, productivity, and customer experience.

“Our recent accomplishment in becoming the first port in Malaysia to surpass the 1 million TEUs handling mark in a month is a good example of how enhanced visibility across all RTGs in our yard and upcoming jobs at our terminal, enable us to take strategic action to enhance our efficiency, crane productivity and truck turnaround time. This simultaneously provides our workforce with an advanced tool to continue delivering best-in-class service for our customers.”

About Navis, LP
Navis, the premier port and terminal operating system and provider of carrier and vessel technology solutions, combines industry best practices with innovative technology and world-class services to enable customers, regardless of cargo type, to maximize performance and reduce risk. Through a holistic approach to operational optimization, Navis customers benefit from improved visibility, velocity and measurable business results. Whether tracking cargo through a terminal, improving vessel safety and cargo capacity, optimizing rail network planning and asset utilization, automating equipment operations, or managing multiple terminals through an integrated, centralized solution, Navis helps all customers streamline operations.

About the Port of Tanjung Pelepas
The Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) is Malaysia’s largest container terminal. The port delivers reliable, efficient and advanced services to major shipping lines and box operators, providing shippers in Malaysia and abroad extensive connectivity to the global market.

PTP is a joint venture between MMC Corporation Berhad (70%), a leading utilities and infrastructure group and APM Terminals (30%), a leading global ports group with a global port network in 62 countries.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0f7d11e6-8909-4a49-816d-3e2d7ddf1db8

Media Contact:
Suzy Swindle
sswindle@kaleris.com / suzy.swindle@navis.com

YEREVAN, Armenia, Sept. 06, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Some of the most influential names in science, music and arts have been named as the latest Laureates of the Stephen Hawking Medal for Science Communication at STARMUS VI festival.

The winners are Diane Ackerman, poet and essayist; Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace; and the NASA Communications Unit.

In addition, a special Stephen Hawking Medal will be presented to STARMUS co-founder and Queen guitarist Dr. Brian May at the request of the Advisory Board and petitions of STARMUS alumni, including Nobel laureates, astronauts and science communicators. The award reflects Dr. May’s outstanding contribution to both music and to the public understanding of science.

Brian May was presented with the award by legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who played at a special ‘Sonic Universe’ concert at the festival, alongside System of a Down’s Serj Tankian, astronaut Chris Hadfield and supergroup Sons of Apollo. He also played tribute to Freddie Mercury on stage, on what would have been his 76^th birthday.

The Stephen Hawking Science Medal are prestigious international awards that recognise the merit and importance of popular science at an international level. The medal is named after Professor Stephen Hawking, who was also its first recipient, and is organised by STARMUS, an international science and art festival that this year is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia.

Previous winners have included Hans Zimmer, Elon Musk, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jim Al-Khalili, Jean Michel Jarre and Buzz Aldrin.

The design of the medal is a portrait of Professor Hawking by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, the first man to perform a spacewalk and member of the Advisory Council for STARMUS since its first edition.

The medals will be presented at a special ceremony at STARMUS tomorrow, 6 Sept. 2022.

Professor Garik Israelian, co-founder and director of STARMUS Festival, says, “These medals were created with the support of Stephen Hawking to celebrate those outstanding individuals and teams who honour his legacy in communicating scientific ideas and breakthroughs to inform, inspire and engage the widest possible audience. We congratulate all those receiving medals today as they join the growing list of prestigious Stephen Hawking Medal Laureates.”

Stephen Hawking Medal Winner Diane Ackerman says: “I’m deeply honored and delighted to receive this medal from such a distinguished gathering of curious and creative minds. That Starmus encompasses both the Arts and the Sciences makes it especially meaningful to me, since I’ve always been a writer–in poetry and prose–who is enthralled by the sciences. Science and art share the same spark of curiosity, the same fire of invention.”

Marc Etkind, NASA Associate Administrator for Communications, says: “It is a great honour for everyone at NASA to receive this prestigious award. Our mission at NASA is to explore the unknown in air and space, to innovate for the benefit of humanity, and inspire the world through discovery.” 

Stephen Hawking Medal winner Dr. Brian May says, “First of all, I want to pay tribute to Freddie; it’s amazing to receive this extraordinary present on his birthday! Thank you so much to the board; this medal really means so much to me. STARMUS reflects so much about what I passionately believe in, that science and art do not live in isolation; to be a great scientist without being something of an artist, and you can’t be an artist without something of an understanding of the universe we live in. Thank you Stephen Hawking for this medal and award, and Rick Wakeman, for the introduction, as I didn’t know I am that person.” 

STARMUS this year is being held in Armenia and dedicated to the 50^th anniversary of the first soft landing on Mars by “Mars 3” and the first orbiter “Mariner 9”. “Mariner 9” took the first high-quality images of Mars while “Mars 3” brought the first rover, Prop-M, to the surface of Mars. It was founded to create a platform that unites world-renowned scientists, Nobel Prize laureates, astronauts, and the brightest minds in science, art and technology. The festival enables them to share their experience, knowledge and the latest inventions with attendees, helping to inspire people across the globe to explore the world of science.

Armenia was chosen for its long and impressive history of astronomy, astrophysics and space exploration. For much of the 20^th century, it was home to the Soviet space programme, and to this day, it remains a key location for the international community, housing The Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory and the Aragatz Station.

The Stephen Hawking Medal press conference with Laureates is at 2.30pm AMT/ 11.30am BST / 6.30am  EDT

For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Four Communications

caroline.jones@fourcommunications.com |

nathaniel.ashley@fourcommunications.com |

The Stephen Hawking Medal press conference with Laureates will take place at 2.30pm AMT/ 11.30am BST / 6.30am EDT. To request accreditation to join, please email starmus@fourcommunications.com

Related Images

Image 1: Brian May wins Stephen Hawking Medal

(L-R) Rick Wakeman, Brian May, Garik Israelian

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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• Brian May wins Stephen Hawking Medal

• New prevalence figure 22–126% higher than previous estimates
• Prevalence expected to reach 592 million by 2050
• Researchers urge global action on smoking cessation and air pollution reduction

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Over 480 million people worldwide likely suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, according to a late-breaking abstract led by ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) presented at the European Respiratory Society Congress today.¹

This figure is 22–126% higher than today’s most cited estimates, which range from 212–392 million reported over the past decade.^2,3,4

COPD is a chronic, progressive disease that restricts a person’s ability to breathe. Early-stage sufferers may use inhaled medications to reduce symptoms. Advanced stages may require supplemental oxygen or mechanical ventilation in the home or hospital.

COPD-related healthcare utilization and lost productivity costs European Union countries an estimated €48.4 billion per year.⁵ In the United States, COPD-related hospitalizations alone cost over $3 billion a year.⁶

ResMed’s global analysis combined known cases of COPD plus likely cases based on known risk factors, such as smoking, and other indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Researchers expect that number to reach an estimated 592 million by 2050 if current risk factor trends continue.

“This number should be a warning,” said study co-author and ResMed Chief Medical Officer Carlos M. Nunez, M.D. “It should urge doctors to be more vigilant in screening and testing, since early treatment can enhance quality of life and longevity; urge people and their loved ones to learn and spot symptoms early; urge payers to help everyone take these proactive steps; and frankly inspire stronger, more immediate action to lower risk factors for COPD like smoking and air pollution.

“In less than a generation, we’re headed north of 600 million cases globally,” Nunez continued. “But we can curb that number and help save millions of lives with education and meaningful action.”

Am I at risk for COPD?

Leading causes of COPD are:⁷

• Smoking
• Long-term exposure to air pollutants, including dust, fumes, or chemicals
• A rare heredity gene defect called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, which your doctor can test you for

COPD symptoms

Ask your doctor if you or a loved one is experiencing:⁸

• Increased shortness of breath
• Frequent coughing or wheezing, with or without mucus
• Daytime fatigue
• Chest tightness

ResMed recently led a global research effort to update the world’s estimated prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): 936 million, nearly tenfold higher than the previous figure. Lancet Respiratory Medicine published the findings in 2019.⁹

About ResMed
At ResMed (NYSE: RMD, ASX: RMD) we pioneer innovative solutions that treat and keep people out of the hospital, empowering them to live healthier, higher-quality lives. Our digital health technologies and cloud-connected medical devices transform care for people with sleep apnea, COPD, and other chronic diseases. Our comprehensive out-of-hospital software platforms support the professionals and caregivers who help people stay healthy in the home or care setting of their choice. By enabling better care, we improve quality of life, reduce the impact of chronic disease, and lower costs for consumers and healthcare systems in more than 140 countries. To learn more, visit ResMed.com and follow @ResMed.

References
1 Boers E et al. ERJ Suppl (ERS Congress late breaking abstract) 2022
2 GBD 2019 Murray C J L et al. (2020)
3 Adeloye D et al. J Glob Health 2015
4 Adeloye D et al. Lancet Respir Med 2022
5 « The economic burden of lung disease ». Eur Lung (Accessed 18 August 2022)
6 Perera PN et al. COPD 2012
7 COPD Foundation. https://www.copdfoundation.org/What-is-COPD/Understanding-COPD/What-Causes-COPD.aspx (Accessed 30 August 2022)
8 COPD Foundation https://www.copdfoundation.org/What-is-COPD/Understanding-COPD/What-is-COPD.aspx (Accessed 30 August 2022)
9 Benjafield AV et al. Lancet Respir Med 2019

In Europe: resmedEUnews@allisonpr.com