Re: GE touting non-medical use of 4D US for fetal baby pictures
From: Rich Dempsey RDMS/RVT (ridem@msn.com)
Sun Jun 30 20:19:24 2002
Dear Dr Lyons:
Sorry. The GE website lists various facilities in various US
locations.The GE California "locator page" is:
http://www.gemedicalsystems.com/rad/us/4d/4d_sitequest.html?address=&city=&state=CA&zip
There the "First Look" company is listed. It is at the "FirstLook" site
that the non-medical use of US is advertised.
GE reps are claiming that GE has no control over the end-use of its
product. Still in their California "locator page" they chose to include
an "entertainment ultrasound business", alongside the many reputable
research facilities and "great names" in Ultrasound diagnosis in CA
using their product.
Oversight? or a "wink and a nod?"
At Sat, 29 Jun 2002, Edward Lyons wrote:
>
>How is the GE Website "touting entertainment 4D fetal ultrasound"? I can see GE mentioned on the "Firstlooksonogram website but I see NO mention f firstlooksonogram on the GE website. Did I miss it?
>ps has anyone seen the ever increasing number of drug company ads for a hole host of new drugs that patients are asked to try or ask their docto about? What is the difference with an imaging company advertising their latest CT or ultrasound imaging tool?
>Ted
>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>From: evsono@pipeline.com
>Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 11:59 AM
>To: Multiple recipients of list ULTRASOUND
>Subject: Re: GE touting non-medical use of 4D US for fetal baby pictures
>
>Done! additionally, another tactic would be to give the phone number of
>the GE salesman to any patient inquiring about getting a 4d scan. (
>preferably, his home number)
>
>i would urge the aium, acr and sdms to issue policy positions on this
>contentious issue.
>
>art
>
>At Wed, 26 Jun 2002, Rich Dempsey RDMS/RVT wrote:
>>
>>Cross-posted form SDMS Discussion Forum:
>>
>>The official GE web site is touting entertainment 4D fetal ultrasounds
>>on their site:(http://www.firstlooksonogram.com/index.asp ) It is stated
>>there that a company known as "First Look Sonograms" is using their 4D
>>technology to produce "baby pictures". The physician in charge of this
>>racket is a perinatoligist!!!!!
>>
>>QOUTE:
>>
>>"First Look Sonogram specializes in 4D prenatal ultrasounds. You can
>>now share the exciting first look of your unborn child with those
>>closest to you. This experience will impress all in attendance and make
>>the forthcoming birth that much more exciting. Our services are
>>non-medical and for your enjoyment and commemorative purposes."
>>As to pricing: The products that are included with each paid visit are:
>>
>>• 2-5 pictures of the baby from your sonogram
>>
>>• Video cassette of your complete ultrasound session recorded w th the
>>music of your choice.
>>• Color images of the baby saved to CD-ROM
>>
>>• Website hosting for images & baby gift registry
>>• Home theater viewing environment for all your guests
>>
>>Pricing
>>
>>First Look Sonogram will accept cash, check or credit cards only
>>
>>One time sonogram session
>>Includes all the above mentioned products $275
>>Package of two visits $475
>>Package of three visits $650
>>
>>The statement that these services are "non-medical" are a violation of
>>FDA policy on the use of US.
>>
>>I have reported it to the FDA, and ask you to do so as well.
>>
>>Contact:Diagnostic Devices Branch Office of Compliance Center for
>>Devices and Radiological Health HFZ-322 2098 Gaither Road Rockville,
>>Maryland 20850
>>
>>or
>>
>>notify FDA by phoning 301-594-4591 or FAXing 301-594-4636
>>
>>or
>>
>>email complaint to
>>Howard A. Press [HAP@CDRH.FDA.GOV]
>>
>>The FDA's statement on the practice is at :
>>
>>http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/fetalvideos.html
>
>--
>art fougner, md
>
