April 4, 2008 – Philips entered into a seven-year research partnership with West China Hospital, an affiliate of the Sichuan University in Chengdu, China to develop new medical imaging procedures for the diagnosis and monitoring of certain types of cardiovascular disease, including coronary artery disease, one of the major diseases in China, as well as cancer and mental diseases.
The research agreement will include eight new research projects involving Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT).
Chronic diseases, including those caused by cardiovascular problems, cancer and diabetes, caused 80 percent of deaths in China during the 1991-2000. The lack of timely medical treatment and efficient prevention measures are reportedly the main reasons for the continuing high levels of such diseases.
For more information: www.medical.philips.com