Hologic corporation is a developer, manufacturer and supplier of diagnostic and medical imaging systems related to women's health. It develops digital imaging technology for general radiography and mammography applications. Its core business units are focused on osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease of bones that leads to an increased risk of fracture. In osteoporosis the bone mineral density is reduced, bone microarchitecture is deteriorating, and the amount and variety of proteins in bone is altered...

 assessment, mammography

Mammography

Mammography is the process of using low-energy-X-rays to examine the human breast and is used as a diagnostic and a screening tool....

 and breast biopsy

Biopsy

A biopsy is a medical test involving sampling of cells or tissues for examination. It is the medical removal of tissue from a living subject to determine the presence or extent of a disease. The tissue is generally examined under a microscope by a pathologist, and can also be analyzed chemically...

, direct-to-digital x-ray for general radiography applications and mini C-arm imaging for orthopedic applications. Its major brands include Lorad, Fluoroscan, Selenia, Securview, Discovery, Multicare and Directray.

Hologic is a leader in women's healthcare, particularly breast cancer

Breast cancer

Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...

 diagnosis.

Hologic is currently developing tomosynthesis technology for breast cancer diagnosis. Hologic first demonstrated the technology at the Radiological Society of North America in November 2003. It provided patient images and a prototype add-on to its Selenia digital mammography

Digital mammography

Digital mammography is a specialized form of mammography that uses digital receptors and computers instead of x-ray film to help examine breast tissue for breast cancer. The electrical signals can be read on computer screens, permitting more manipulation of images to theoretically allow...

 system. Clinical trials for Hologic's tomosynthesis technology began in the summer of 2004.

Hologic was the recipient of Frost and Sullivan's 2004 Technology Leadership of the Year Award in women's healthcare.

Hologic/Cytyc Merger

On May 20, 2007, Hologic announced a merger (via a cash and stock transaction) with the Cytyc Corporation

Cytyc

Cytyc Corporation was a company engaged in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of clinical products that focus on women’s health. Its products covered a range of women's health applications, including cervical cancer screening, breast cancer risk assessment, treatment of excessive...

 to create a $10 billion women's healthcare company with over $1 billion in projected annual sales. The new company name will be "Hologic" and Cytyc will be a wholly owned subsidiary. The combined corporation will deal in products for screening, diagnostics and therapy for breast and cervical cancer

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...

, menorrhagia

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Causes may be due to abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus...

, prenatal health, osteoporosis, endometriosis

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...

 and permanent contraception

Contraception

Contraception is the prevention of the fusion of gametes during or after sexual activity. The term contraception is a contraction of contra, which means against, and the word conception, meaning fertilization...

. The brands under the combined company include, ThinPrep, Lorad, NovaSure, Suros ATEC, Discovery, FullTerm, R2 and MammoSite, and it will have operations in over twenty countries. Patrick Sullivan, of Cytyc will be chairman of the new company, and Jack Cumming, of Hologic, will be Chief Executive Officer. Cytyc shareholders will hold 55% of the firm, and Hologic will own 45%.