Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) and Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ:VOLC), a global leader in catheter-based imaging and measurement solutions for cardiovascular applications, today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Pursuant to the agreement, Philips will commence a tender offer to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Volcano for USD 18.00 per share, or a total equity purchase price of USD 1 billion (approx. EUR 800 million), to be paid in cash upon completion. The board of directors of Volcano has unanimously approved the transaction and recommends the offer to its shareholders. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015.

Millions of imaging tests are performed in the United States each year.  Although most of these exams are interpreted by a radiologist, patients usually receive their results from the ordering physician.  In many cases, the radiologist, as the imaging expert, is actually the physician best equipped to explain imaging findings. Lightbulb Radiology bridges this gap between the radiologist and the patient.

InnoLife, a consortium of 144 European companies, research institutes and universities, has been selected by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) as the Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) for EIT Health. With a total volume of EUR 2.1 billion it is one of the largest public funded initiatives for health worldwide.

Mobile X-ray imaging systems are essential tools for surgeons who want to view the positioning of medical devices or evaluate the progress of a variety of corrective procedures. Surgeons on the medical staff of Baylor University Medical Center (Dallas, Texas) now have access to high-quality images in as little as five seconds thanks to the implementation of two CARESTREAM DRX-Revolution Mobile X-ray Systems. These systems are moved from patient to patient as needed in the hospital’s 56-bed surgical suite.

The 100th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), the world’s premier forum for science, education and technology in radiology, is expected to attract more than 50,000 people from around the globe.

The Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA) today announced that Andy Dhokai has joined the organization’s Government Relations department. The addition of Dhokai will help to strengthen the trade association’s expertise in health policy and legislative advocacy.

The American Society of Radiologic Technologists has launched Medical Relief Readiness, an educational series that provides radiologic technologists with the tools and information they need to successfully transition to positions in the medical disaster relief field and developing countries.

Kit designed in collaboration with Weill Cornell Imaging at NewYork-Presbyterian and Marvel Custom Solutions to ease anxiety of pediatric patients undergoing an MRI exam.