Medical Expedition Brings Modern Technology to Isolated Rain Forest Tribes; First Use of Medical Imaging Technology to Benefit Indigenous Populations.To download high-resolution, print-ready JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. images, click on the thumbnail image above. WARNING: these images are very large (800K+) Click here for caption Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4606427 VALE DO JAVARI Vale do Javari (English language: Javari Valley) is one of the largest reservations for indigenous people in Brazil. It lies in Western Amazonas state and derives it's name from Javari River, the most important river. , Brazil--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 2004 Beginning Monday, April 5, a multidisciplinary team will lead a groundbreaking health mission into the Brazilian rain forest. The eight-week "Expedition Imagem do Javari," for the first time, will bring the benefits of advanced medical imaging healthcare to the indigenous tribes of the remote Vale do Javari region to diagnose and treat contagious diseases contagious diseases: see communicable diseases. that pose a threat to their survival. Unique to the expedition is the use of digital medical imaging technology, in the form of computed radiography radiography: see X ray. (CR) and a picture archiving and communications system In telecommunication, a communications system is a collection of individual communications networks, transmission systems, relay stations, tributary stations, and data terminal equipment (DTE) usually capable of interconnection and interoperation to form an integrated whole. (PACS (Picture ArChiving System) A storage and management system for high-resolution images. Typically pertaining to the medical field, images such as X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans require a greater amount of storage than other industries. ) provided by Eastman Kodak Company's Health Imaging Group. This digital imaging solution - in keeping with the delicate ecosystem of the Brazilian rain forest since no chemical processing is required - will enable remote examination and diagnosis of members of these isolated tribes and communities. More specifically, physicians leading the expedition will travel by boat deep into the rain forest. With Kodak's technology aboard, they will be able to acquire digital medical x-ray images of tribe members and will be able to send the images and accompanying medical reports via satellite to a state-of-the-art radiology clinic in southern Brazil. There, a team of physicians will perform analyses and will prescribe medication and other first-aid items as appropriate to each individual's needs. The physicians also will begin to develop a longer-term strategy to combat future disease outbreaks. The Expedition team expects to screen about 800 to 1,000 individuals within the Matis, Marubo, Kanamari and Korubo tribes. Spending four to 10 days in each village performing radiological exams, ultrasounds and blood tests, they expect to detect infectious diseases infectious diseases: see communicable diseases. such as hepatitis A Hepatitis A Definition Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus, the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It varies in severity, running an acute course, generally starting within two to six weeks after contact with the virus, and lasting no , B and Delta; yellow fever yellow fever, acute infectious disease endemic in tropical Africa and many areas of South America. Epidemics have extended into subtropical and temperate regions during warm seasons. ; malaria; and tuberculosis. Because of their isolation, the tribal populations lack the immunity to fight off diseases that may have been transmitted as a result of contact with Western society, even those diseases that would be considered relatively benign in many parts of the world. This mission is part of a larger effort to preserve the health and longevity of known Amazon tribes, as well as to prevent the spread of diseases to indigenous communities that have never been contacted. The team's leaders are Dr. Sergio Brincas, the creator and lead physician of the expedition, who received training in radiology and image diagnosis in Brazil and the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ; Sydney Possuelo Sydney Ferreira Possuelo (São Paulo, April 19, 1940) is a Brazilian explorer, social activist and ethnographer who is considered the leading authority on Brazil's remaining isolated Indigenous Peoples. , Chief of the Brazilian Government's Federal Indian Department, and intermediary between the navigators and the tribes; and Bia Boleman, an expert in organizing expeditions into remote regions of South America South America, fourth largest continent (1991 est. pop. 299,150,000), c.6,880,000 sq mi (17,819,000 sq km), the southern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. . "In recent years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time very survival of these indigenous populations has been at increasing risk due to contagious diseases, mainly because it is a challenge to treat them without proper diagnoses," said Dr. Brincas. "This was reason enough to find a way to bring in modern medical imaging and satellite technology that can help detect many of these diseases and lead the way toward preserving the health and longevity of these communities." The majority of Brazil's isolated indigenous people live in the Vale do Javari, an Amazonian region covering roughly 20.7 million acres along the borders with Peru and Colombia. The Brazilian Government estimates that some 53 tribal cultures live in this region, in relative isolation from Western society. The region, which is located along the Itui and Itaquai rivers, was officially declared an Indian reservation in 1996. "Digital medical imaging technology has helped make this humanitarian effort possible in a way that might not be readily apparent," said Dan Kerpelman, President, Kodak's Health Imaging Group. "Without such technology, transmission of medical images and information from the rain forest to a leading medical facility simply would not be possible. And, therefore, treating these very special patients would likely have been prohibitive, since doing so would require that they leave familiar and secluded surroundings. It's also gratifying grat·i·fy tr.v. grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing, grat·i·fies 1. To please or satisfy: His achievement gratified his father. See Synonyms at please. 2. ," he added, "that the experiences of these patients will help educate people everywhere how medical technology can improve their lives--via remote diagnostics Vehicle Diagnostics Vehicle diagnostics enables a mechanic to diagnose the exact mechanical condition of the vehicle and its systems and components. Remote Diagnostics enables to perform such diagnosis without requiring the vehicle to physically be present for checkup. , virtually instantaneous turnaround of medical images and, of course, the benefits that come from high quality imaging." On the goals of the expedition, Sydney Possuelo said, "When you protect the isolated Indian, you promote the vibrant culture and history of the Amazon, and in turn, secure the biodiversity biodiversity: see biological diversity. biodiversity Quantity of plant and animal species found in a given environment. Sometimes habitat diversity (the variety of places where organisms live) and genetic diversity (the variety of traits expressed of our world." The Expedition Imagem do Javari was created by Instituto Dunas e Ventos de Expedicoes Medicas e Esportivas and will be implemented in partnership with the Isolated Tribes Division of the Brazilian Government's Federal Indian Bureau (FUNAI FUNAI Fundação Nacional do Índio (Brazil) ). Kodak's Health Imaging Group and the Brazilian Radiology Academy are contributing technology and funding technical staff support to the expedition. For more information on Expedition Imagem do Javari, please visit www.imagemdojavari.org.br. Expedition Imagem do Javari Fact Sheet WHAT: A Humanitarian Mission A multidisciplinary team will lead an unprecedented humanitarian health mission - the Expedition Imagem do Javari - into the heart of the Brazilian rain forest. The Expedition is the first to bring advanced medical imaging equipment to the area's indigenous tribes to diagnose and treat infectious diseases that threaten their survival. WHERE: Vale Do Javari The majority of the indigenous people in Brazil live in the Vale do Javari - an Amazonian region covering roughly 20.7 million acres along the Itui and Itaquai rivers, near the borders of Peru and Colombia. The Brazilian Government's Federal Indian Bureau (Fundacao Nacional do Indio, or FUNAI) estimates that some 53 tribal cultures live in this region in relative isolation from Western society. The Vale do Javari was officially declared an Indian reservation in 1996. WHEN: Timing of Expedition The eight-week Expedition will venture into the Javari River The Javari River is a river in South America. It flows from the border between Amazonas state, Brazil, and Loreto department, Peru to join the Amazon near Benjamin Constant. Its length is 540 miles (870 km). This river has a lot of water in it. basin, a tributary of the Amazon River Amazon River Portuguese Rio Amazonas River, northern South America. It is the largest river in the world in volume and area of drainage basin; only the Nile River of eastern and northeastern Africa exceeds it in length. , on April 5, 2004. The period between March and May was chosen to coincide with the rainy season, which enables better river access to these isolated areas. The Expedition could take more or less time depending on environmental factors, how the team is received by the tribes, and the extent of intervention required in each location. WHY: To Protect the Health of the Indigenous Tribes The Expedition is equipped to screen 800 to 1,000 Indians within the Matis, Marubo, Kanamari and Korubo tribes. Diseases posing a serious health threat to the tribes range from hepatitis A, B and Delta; to yellow fever; malaria; and tuberculosis. Because of their isolation, the tribal populations lack the immunity to fight off many diseases, even those diseases that would be considered relatively benign in modern societies. This mission is part of a larger effort to preserve the health and longevity of known Amazon tribes, as well as to prevent the spread of diseases to indigenous communities that have never been contacted. HOW: The Medical Technology Because the Vale do Javari region lacks laboratory facilities capable of screening for infectious diseases, the Expedition will bring sophisticated imaging equipment into the region. Medical equipment used in the Expedition will consist of the latest in X-ray and digital imaging technology including the following from Eastman Kodak Company's Health Imaging Group: KODAK DIRECTVIEW CR 500 System (a computed radiography system) and KODAK DIRECTVIEW PACS System 5 (a picture archiving and communications system). Images taken by the Expedition team will be sent via satellite to an advanced radiology clinic, Clinica Imagem, in Florianopolis, Brazil, for analysis and consultation. If disease is encountered, treatment will be administered on site. If necessary, individuals will also be offered the opportunity to receive hospital care. After the initial on-site screenings performed by the Expedition team, the Vale do Javari Healthcare Unit (the local health authority) has agreed to monitor and maintain the health of the tribes. WHO: The Expedition Team The Expedition will be presided over by the Instituto Dunas e Ventos de Expedicoes Medicas e Esportivas in partnership with the Isolated Tribes Division of FUNAI. The undertaking is supported by Eastman Kodak Company's Health Imaging Group and the Brazilian Radiology Academy (Colegio Brasileiro de Radiologia). -- Dr. Sergio Brincas (Expedition Founder) - Dr. Sergio Brincas graduated from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina is a public university located at Florianópolis, the capital city of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. It is one of the leading Latin-American research universities, and the only Federal University in the state of Santa Catarina. in 1990, and specialized in radiology and image diagnosis. Dr. Brincas works for Clinica Imagem in Florianopolis and studied at the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology Armed Forces Institute of Pathology A section of the US military which provides consultations, reference atlases and educational programs for pathologists (AFIP AFIP Administración Federal de Ingresos Públicos (Argentina) AFIP Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (US DoD) AFIP Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (Rawalpindi, Pakistan) ) in Washington, D.C. -- Sydney Possuelo (Expedition Partner and Indianist) - Sydney Possuelo has worked with Brazilian Indians since the 1970's and was partner to many reputable Brazilians that worked with the tribes. Currently, Possuelo works as head of FUNAI's Indian Department. Dr. Possuelo's experience interfacing with the tribes of the Vale do Javari will allow him to play the important role of intermediary between the Expedition team and the tribes. -- Bia Boleman (Expedition Director of Production) - Bia Boleman founded the company Dunas e Ventos. Dunas e Ventos has been organizing expeditions through Latin American deserts since 1981. Boleman has also participated in many expeditions throughout various locations in South America. Boleman will serve as the Expedition organizer. For more information on Expedition Imagem do Javari, visit www.imagemdojavari.org.br. Kodak Health Imaging Product Facts KODAK DIRECTVIEW CR 500 System Computed radiography (CR) refers to technology that captures x-ray images and stores them onto phosphor-based image plates. These image plates are then scanned to create a digital radiographic radiographic (rā´dēōgraf´ik), adj relating to the process of radiography, the finished product, or its use. image, which is ready for display and interpretation by health care professionals. Current industry trends indicate that CR and DR medical image capture will result in a full conversion from film to digital technology in the future. The KODAK DIRECTVIEW CR 500 System enables radiologists to quickly capture and view high quality digital x-ray images in a fast tabletop system. Built-in image processing image processing Set of computational techniques for analyzing, enhancing, compressing, and reconstructing images. Its main components are importing, in which an image is captured through scanning or digital photography; analysis and manipulation of the image, accomplished software enables automatic processing and enhancement of images for the highest possible image quality. The CR systems are compatible with picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), which allow electronic transfer of images and information via secure Internet connection to remote sites for analysis. KODAK DIRECTVIEW PACS System 5 Picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) provide fast, easy, universal access to diagnostic images and reports, allowing clinicians, referring physicians, radiologists, and other healthcare providers to view images and information on site or at remote locations. Unlike older film-based systems, multiple users--even those in different facilities--can view PACS images simultaneously, speeding up diagnosis and treatment times to enhance patient care. The KODAK DIRECTVIEW PACS System 5 allows storage, display and management of large volumes of medical images (such as x-rays, CT scans CT scan: see CAT scan. See CAT scan. and MRI 1. (application) MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging. 2. MRI - Measurement Requirements and Interface. images) and accompanying information. Kodak's PACS System 5 also provides fast and easy access to these images, through a central database that provides management of information archived in storage components throughout a healthcare system. In addition to the transfer and management of images, the capacity to interface with other systems allows access to patient medical records and other information to provide integrated diagnostic solutions. About Kodak's Health Imaging Group Kodak's Health Imaging Group is a world leader in developing, manufacturing and marketing intelligent imaging products from analog to digital and in providing innovative medical-imaging services, including those to assist customers with interoperability and other needs. Its product portfolio includes computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography digital radiography Imaging A format for producing x-rays in which film used to produce conventional x-ray images is replaced with more sensitive sensitive electronics; DXRs produce images with1⁄2 (DR) systems, laser imagers, picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), radiology information systems A Radiology Information System (RIS) is used by radiology departments to store, manipulate and distribute patient radiological data and imagery. The system generally consists of patient tracking and scheduling, result reporting and image tracking capabilities. (RIS RIS rabies inhibiting substance. ), traditional mammography mammography, diagnostic procedure that uses low-dose X rays to detect abnormalities in the breasts. The early diagnosis of breast cancer made possible by the routine use of mammography for screening women increases a woman's treatment alternatives and improves her systems, x-ray film Noun 1. X-ray film - photographic film used to make X-ray pictures bitewing - a dental X-ray film that can be held in place by the teeth during radiography systems for general radiography, and dental imaging products. Its services portfolio includes everything from basic repair and maintenance to services encompassing equipment integration (from multiple vendors), storage and archiving, secure e-mail - and more. The group, with 2003 revenues of $2.43 billion, has served the global healthcare community for more than 100 years. The Health Imaging Group and Kodak's other major businesses - Commercial Printing; Commercial Imaging; Display & Components; and Digital & Film Imaging Systems - together are leading participants in infoimaging, a $385 billion industry created by the convergence of image-and-information technology. Infoimaging unites three closely related imaging markets that enable end users to more easily capture, process and share images and information: devices (such as Health Imaging's CR and DR systems), infrastructure (online networks and delivery systems for images, including PACS) and services & media (software, film and paper). For more information about Kodak's Health Imaging Group visit www.kodak.com/go/health. MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=4606427 |
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