Ohio-based Alpha Imaging and Ind.-based Major Health Partners (MHP) have inked a deal to purchase Gamma Medica’s LumaGEM Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) system. The MBI technology will be offered as a secondary screening and diagnostic tool following mammography, particularly for women with dense breasts.

Designed for dense breast tissue, MBI has proven to be as effective secondary screening method compared to full-field ultrasound or MRI with far fewer false positives. In fact, clinical research shows that the use of LumaGEM MBI reduces the need for tissue biopsies by 50% compared to other modalities. Many patients say that MBI is also more comfortable than conventional mammography or MRI, according to Gamma Medica officials.

Gamma Medica President and CEO Philip Croxford spoke out about the installation, saying: “Our relationship with MHP and Alpha Imaging has opened the door for more women in Indiana and the Midwest to access MBI as a standard secondary screening protocol, following digital mammography or tomosynthesis. We are pleased to be working together to ensure early detection for women across the U.S.”

Scott Miller, MD, a radiologist at MHP, echoes Croxford’s comments. “The Mayo Clinic and others have shown the utility of MBI for both supplemental screening for breast cancer with underlying dense breast tissue and diagnostic problem-solving in breast health care,” he says. “We consider MBI to be an integral component of breast cancer diagnosis, and we were impressed by the data documenting a significant increase in cancer detection rates through use of the LumaGEM MBI system.”

For more information about this deal, visit Gamma Medica.