Summary: GE Medical Systems (Waukesha, WI) recently in-troduced
ultrasound technology that takes the still-picture quality of
standard ultrasound and gives it the quality of real-time video. By
constantly updating the three-dimensional (3D) images, GE has added
"real-time motion" to create revolutionary "4D images" with th
GE Medical Systems (Waukesha, WI) recently in-troduced
ultrasound technology that takes the still-picture quality of
standard ultrasound and gives it the quality of real-time video. By
constantly updating the three-dimensional (3D) images, GE has added
"real-time motion" to create revolutionary "4D images" with the
appearance of a moving video. Unveiled at the 2002 Annual Meeting
of American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's (ACOG) in Los
Angeles, the GE Voluson 730 4D Ultrasound System has the potential
to expand diagnostic capabilities, therapy planning, and
ultrasound-guided minimally invasive diagnostic procedures, such as
biopsies.
In clinical obstetrics and gynecology, 4D ultrasound with
real-time motion can give clinicians additional important
information regarding a baby's motion, behavior, and surface
anatomy in utero, as well as improved visualization of problems
related to a woman's uterus and ovaries.
In addition, the company sees future potential for this
technology in the assessment and treatment of patients with breast
and prostate cancer and other conditions. The system's 3D
multiplanar view also can help physicians visualize suspect lesions
in three planes, simultaneously allowing for more precise biopsy
needle placement.
The GE system, which is built on a digital platform, features a
beamformer that processes four times more data than conventional
ultrasound systems, significantly increasing the dynamic range of
the system to provide detailed, high-quality images. This increased
dynamic range also increases the system's data processing
capabilities and dramatically impacts all ultrasound modes,
high-resolution 2D, volumetric 3D, and real-time 4D imaging.
"Physicians have told us they need high-tech solutions that
improve the quality of care, while also improving patient
confidence," said Joseph M. Hogan, president and CEO of GE Medical
Systems."GE's 4D ultrasound with real-time motion gives doctors the
information they need while creating images that patients can
easily understand."
"On other ultrasound systems, my doctor pointed to my baby's
anatomy on the monitor and I couldn't understand what the doctor
was trying to explain," noted Michelle Tooms, a patient from
Mansfield, TX. "With GE's 4D ultrasound, the quality was amazing. I
even think I saw the baby smile. The images made me feel close to
her."
As a full-service ultrasound system, GE expects that the Voluson
730 will be used for breast imaging, interventional urology, and
general imaging, as well as the following specific
obstetric/gynecologic indications:
* determining fetal age
* analyzing fetal development
* evaluating multiple and/or high-risk pregnancies
* detecting fetal abnormalities
* detecting structural problem with uterus
* detecting placental abnormalities
* detecting abnormal bleeding
* determining ectopic pregnancy and other abnormalities of
pregnancy
* detecting ovarian tumor/fibroids
* locating the placenta
GE expects to have more than 1,500 systems installed by the end
of this year.