Sonic Incytes Medical Corp has secured FDA 510(k) clearance for Velacur ONE™, an AI-guided point-of-care ultrasound elastography device aimed at diagnosing and monitoring chronic liver diseases like MASLD and MASH. Building on its predecessor, Velacur™, the new model offers improved portability, a refined interface, and advanced features such as B-mode imaging and AI-based organ overlay for precise liver localization. The device measures attenuation, VDFF (Velacur Determined-Fat Fraction), and liver stiffness, combining these metrics to aid in early detection and treatment monitoring. VDFF technology, cleared in 2024, shows strong correlation with MRI-PDFF—the gold standard for liver fat measurement—and enables higher reimbursement…
Author: Abhay Panchal
Self-employed gastroenterologists can see substantial salary growth over the course of their careers, according to data from Medscape’s salary explorer. Nationwide, those with one to seven years of experience earn an average of $410,000 annually. That figure rises steadily with experience: That marks a 41% increase from early to mid-career compensation — followed by a plateau, with earnings remaining steady from 15 to 28 years of experience.
The latest U.S. News & World Report rankings spotlight U.S. institutions excelling in gastroenterology and hepatology research and reputation. University of California–San Diego leads the list, followed closely by Harvard University, both recognized for their pioneering work in GI science. Other top contenders include the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Baylor College of Medicine, each with strong clinical programs and high-impact research. The rankings reflect subject-specific scores, global standing, and academic influence, offering a snapshot of where the field’s most influential studies and clinical advancements are emerging. From the Ivy League’s Yale and Columbia…
In this first-in-human pilot trial, Norton, Papaefthymiou, Telese, Vignolo, Rodriguez Grunert, and Haidry explored radiofrequency vapor ablation (RFVA) as a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for poorly controlled type 2 diabetes. The through-the-scope device delivers circumferential thermal vapor to the duodenal mucosa, aiming to replicate some of the metabolic benefits seen with bariatric surgery. Across 27 patients, RFVA achieved 100% technical success, was well tolerated (peak pain score just 1.4), and caused no serious adverse events. Early data suggested modest HbA1c reductions at 4, 12, and 24 weeks, with full mucosal healing seen on biopsy by one month. While the trial…
A recent review in Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology spotlights promising developments in gastrointestinal oncology — especially for colorectal and pancreatic cancers, where late-stage diagnoses have long limited options. Highlights include fruquintinib for refractory metastatic CRC, the tucatinib + trastuzumab combination for HER2-positive CRC, and expanded uses for trifluridine-tipiracil in combination regimens.
Epic, which powers electronic health records for nearly half of U.S. hospitals, is preparing to launch its own AI note-taking tool for clinicians — a space so far dominated by startups like Abridge, Suki AI, Nabla, and Microsoft-owned Nuance. The move could cut into competitors’ market share, though industry experts like Brendan Keeler predict a slow start before steady improvement. The appeal is clear: ambient scribes save doctors hours of documentation, as seen in Kaiser Permanente’s 15,700-hour annual time savings. But with costs ranging from $100–$400 per doctor per month, Epic’s integrated offering — backed by its free-tool strategy —…
Cardinal Health is deepening its specialty care footprint with a $1.9 billion deal to acquire Solaris Health, a urology-focused MSO, from Lee Equity Partners and physician owners. The acquisition, expected to close by year-end, will fold Solaris’ 750+ providers and 250+ locations across 14 states into The Specialty Alliance, boosting Cardinal’s multispecialty platform to about 3,000 providers in 32 states. CEO Jason Hollar called urology an “attractive specialty” with robust ancillary services, noting that the move accelerates Cardinal’s growth strategy alongside recent acquisitions in oncology, GI, and diabetes. Despite flat Q4 revenue, the company raised its 2026 earnings outlook, betting…
Private equity’s deepening role in US healthcare — from hospitals and nursing homes to high-margin specialty practices — has drawn sharp scrutiny from federal and state enforcers. The Biden-era FTC and DOJ aggressively challenged “roll-up” strategies, warning they can hike prices, reduce care quality, and limit access. While the second Trump administration appears less hostile, state regulators have stepped up, using “mini-HSR” laws in at least 15 states to review even smaller healthcare deals.
Microba Life Sciences Limited has completed a $14.5 million capital raise through a placement and share purchase plan. The funds will fuel the company’s ongoing work in microbiome research and development, aiming to strengthen its role in diagnostics, therapeutics, and gut health innovation.
Dr. Robin Mendelsohn, Co-Director of MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal and GI Cancers, weighs in on the FDA-approved Shield blood test — the first of its kind for average-risk adults 45 and older. While it’s less invasive than colonoscopy, she notes that Shield misses over a third of stage 1 colorectal cancers and detects just 13% of precancerous polyps, falling short of the prevention goal.