Discover how Siemens touches the lives of Americans every day. View our collection of video news stories that have aired in many local news markets across the country.

Diagnosing Strokes Faster

When it comes to strokes, time is critical. Brain cells begin to die within minutes of being deprived of oxygen. The sooner a diagnosis is made, the sooner the treatment begins, the greater the patient has for making a full recovery. The DynaCT imaging application is helping put valuable time on the side of the patient by providing physicians highly detailed anatomical images directly in the interventional suite without the need to move the patient out of the sterile environment for evaluation.

Treating Tumors Faster and More Safely

Physicians at UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center are using a new imaging technology to obtain three-dimensional images of a patient’s anatomy just prior to radiation therapy treatments. As a result, physicians can pinpoint radiation doses to more precisely treat tumors, while sparing healthy tissue, which can mean a quicker and safer recovery for patients.

Detecting Cancer Through Molecular Imaging

According to the American Cancer Society, one in two men and one in three women will get cancer in their lifetime. But research in molecular imaging could help physicians detect cancer before symptoms appear and monitor treatment more effectively.

Maintaining a Healthy Heart

When the wife of a Los Angeles man suggested the couple celebrate their anniversary by having their hearts scanned by a 64-slice CT system, he had no idea doctors would tell him his aorta was in imminent danger of rupturing. Doctors were able to identify and surgically correct a thoracic aneurysm, which would not have been detectable through a routine physical exam or X-ray.

Digital Mammography

One in eight women is at risk for breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Advances in digital mammography may help physicians make better diagnoses by enabling them to manipulate and share breast images. A recent study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute suggests digital mammography detects up to 28% more cancers than traditional mammography for women under the age of 50 or with dense breasts.

Electronic Health Records Help Save Lives

In 2004, President Bush called for the widespread adoption of electronic health records within the next 10 years. In 2005, following Hurricane Katrina, HHS Secretary Michael Leavitt proclaimed, "If there was ever a case to be made for electronic medical records, this disaster, this incident underscored that need." Now, in 2006, lobbyists and healthcare advocates are again saying, the time is now. But what exactly is an electronic health record, and why should Americans care?

Diagnosing the Obese

America's obesity epidemic is doing more than increasing the prevalence of certain diseases; it's also increasing the likelihood of misdiagnosis. A recent study conducted by the University of Washington found that overweight women were more likely to be referred for further testing following a mammogram - and obese women have a 20 percent higher risk for getting a false-positive.