THE WEST MIDLANDS’ FIRST DIGITAL AUTOPSY FACILITY SET TO OPEN IN SANDWELL
- New facility will be based at Sandwell Valley Crematorium, Newton Road, West Bromwich
- Revolutionary, non-invasive and compassionate digital technique - with huge potential benefits for bereaved families, examiners and investigators
- New facility will serve Black Country and West Midlands coronial services
An agreement has been reached between iGene, operator of the World’s first Digital Autopsy Facility network and Sandwell Council to create the West Midlands’ first Digital Autopsy facility at Sandwell Valley Crematorium, the £1.2m investment by iGene in technology and facility is expected to open in June 2014.
Digital Autopsy offers a significant humanitarian step forward in establishing the cause of unnatural death using sophisticated visualisation software – and a scanner rather than a scalpel.
Using revolutionary new technology, created by advanced medical software company iGene, part of the Malaysian INFOVALLEY group, digital autopsy uses unique 3D visualisation software and is set to transform the way autopsies are carried out in the future.
Digital Autopsy involves a scan of the body using a multi-slice CT scanner, before iGene’s proprietary software ‘INFOPSY®’ creates a 3D reconstruction of the body, enabling the pathologist to conduct a full, non-invasive digital post mortem using a large, touch-screen tablet computer. Where necessary, the scene of death or crime could also be reconstructed digitally using the 3D capabilities of the system. The results are available almost immediately.
The construction and equipping of the new Sandwell Digital Autopsy Facility is being funded by iGene, which will also train and support pathologists across the region in the benefits of this new technology.
Ash Govind, Global Vice President - Commercial Development for iGene, said today: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Sandwell Council, a forward-thinking local authority, to bring digital autopsies to the West Midlands.
"Digital Autopsy is more than just a technological innovation; it represents a tremendous compassionate step forward in establishing the cause of an unnatural death - easing the emotional burden on families at a time of intense stress with a dignified and non-invasive investigation.”
Sandwell Council's deputy leader Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: "The technology is quite incredible.
"Having the choice of a non-invasive post mortem will be comforting to many families. Also, in many cases a cause of death can be identified swiftly, which in turn can help make the burial or cremation process take place with fewer delays.
"It will also help to cut pressure on our mortuaries and hospitals conducting traditional post mortems.
"This won't replace the need for a traditional post mortem in all cases. However, as the technology is developed, there will come a time when the majority of autopsies could be done in this way and we're very proud to be leading the way on this in Sandwell."
iGene will lease a former office building at Sandwell Valley Crematorium for the digital autopsy centre.
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Deborah Smith
Wordsmith Communication UK Limited
07881 500557
ds@wordsmith-communication.co.uk
Claire Bustin
Sandwell Council
0121 569 3866
For further information:
(UK-based media) Deborah Smith, Wordsmith Communication UK Limited, on 07881 500557 or ds@wordsmith-communication.co.uk.
(Asia-Pacific media) May Barza, WeR1 Consultants Ltd (Singapore) on 65 67374844 or maybarza@wer1.net
About iGene:
iGene London Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of iGene Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian Company. The Company specializes in the development of Advance Medical Visualization Technology. It has won numerous international and local awards, cited by international journals for its work in the space of the use of visualization in post-mortem examination. You can find out more about Digital Autopsies by visiting: http://www.infovalley.net.my
Tags:
