“Celebrate the Image”—the theme of RSNA 2011—appropriately emphasized
the growing impact medical imaging is having in the clinical
environment, across multiple disciplines, and in medical science
throughout the world.
“Medical imaging has helped change the face of clinical care,”
noted 2011 RSNA President Burton P. Drayer, MD, in his RSNA presidential
address. Yet he stressed that it is a critical time for radiologists to
“remain clinically and academically essential,” encouraging
radiologists to “form a united front in advancing the needs of clinical
radiology and the imaging sciences.”
To fulfill this mission, RSNA 2011 hosted one of its most
comprehensive meetings to date, assembling a variety of interactive
opportunities, including a new pediatric cluster; the “India Presents”
session; a virtual symposium, where professionals from more than 100
countries networked; and virtual technical exhibits available to the 700
companies in the technical exhibit hall.
Similarly, Applied Radiology is celebrating the image with
coverage of RSNA 2011 in our print issue, in our interactive digital
edition, and on MyARTV (www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV), where you can watch interviews with leading physicians and technology providers—filmed live at RSNA.
Advanced Visualization
BRIT Inc. (Dallas, TX) showcased its Vision 3.8, the latest
version of the company’s high-performance DICOM diagnostic workstation,
which features an advanced image-rendering engine (AIRE), a Web-based
3-dimensional imaging advanced post-processing application, and
integrated urgent finding tools, including on-hold, voice controls and
BRIT’s Voice Entry reporting tool, SpeechWorks. www.brit.com. See a video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Philips Healthcare (Andover, MA) featured MicroDose, its new
full-field digital mammography (FFDM) solution, which reduces radiation
dose by up to 50% compared with other FFDM systems. www.healthcare.philips.com
Qi Imaging (Redwood, CA) (formerly Ziosoft) showed its QI
solution, PhyZiodynamics inVivo technology, which enables true fidelity
4-dimensional (3-dimensional in motion) and the gateway to 5-dimensional
imaging, also known as functional analytics of motion. The company
demonstrated how to navigate interactively within a beating heart,
contrast-perfused brain tumor, and other anatomy. www.ziosoft.com
TeraRecon, Inc. (San Francisco, CA) showcased a suite of tools
designed to allow physicians to approach imaging on an organ- or
disease-based basis. The suite includes Lobular Decomposition, an
analysis and segmentation tool that allows users to select the volume of
interest and the trees related to it, and to partition the volume into
lobes or territories. It also includes Volumetric Histogram, which
supports analysis of a given volume of interest to research into disease
processes; Motion Analytics, which provides a powerful 2-dimensional
representation of a 4-dimensional process; and more tools. www.terarecon.com
Vital Images (Minnetonka, MN) showed new features of Vitrea
Enterprise Suite (VES), version 6.2, with enhancements to its MR
Cardiac, CT Colon, CT Brain Perfusion and Body Perfusion applications.
It also introduced new liver and myocardial analysis applications, which
are both pending 510(k) clearance. Vitrea Enterprise Suite’s software
utilizes an intuitive clinical workflow, fueled by intelligent
automation to improve speed and simplicity. Versatile deployment options
allow Vitrea Enterprise Suite to be customized for unique enterprise
needs.
The advanced visualization solutions provider also featured its
recently introduced universal viewer VitreaView, version 6.2, with new
report views as well as display of key radiology images. VitreaView is a
universal viewer that addresses the needs of physicians who want
universal access through a simple intuitive user interface for patient
imaging. It offers secure integrated access to imaging through EMR, EHR,
or HIE. VitreaView also enables access to images from disparate
databases, providing one integrated universal viewer. www.vitalimages.com
Breast Imaging
Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. (Stamford, CT) highlighted its 3D
Digital Mammography solution, a breast screening technology that
presents the images to radiologists in an in-depth, 3-dimensional view.
Pairs of stereo images of the breast are acquired and then viewed by
combining a 3-dimensional review workstation and dedicated glasses
specifically designed to present 3-dimensional breast images. www.fujimed.com
Dilon Diagnostics (Newport News, VA)—In a new study presented at
RSNA 2011, Jean Weigert, MD, of Bradley Memorial Hospital in New
Britain, CT, concluded that breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI) is a
valuable adjunctive procedure when mammography and ultrasound fail to
provide a confident breast cancer diagnosis. Researchers also concluded
that BSGI is also a useful diagnostic modality to augment mammography in
the management of patients with difficult to diagnose breast tissue,
and in cases where unresolved clinical concern remains after a
mammogram. www.dilon.com
Hologic Inc. (Bedford, MA) highlighted the Hologic Selenia
Dimensions 2D + 3D system, which provides radiologists measurable
improvements in specificity and sensitivity over conventional digital
mammography. The Selenia Dimensions breast tomosynthesis allows
radiologists to offer their patients a conventional 2D digital mammogram
and a 3D tomosynthesis exam in a single compression. The test takes
just seconds and can be done at a dose below the U.S. mammography
screening guidelines. As part of diagnostic arsenal, Hologic also showed
Quantra technology, which estimates volumes in the breast and
calculates the volumetric fraction of fibroglandular tissue.
Hologic introduced several new breast biopsy features, including
the Affirm guidance system designed for performing minimally invasive
breast biopsy. Its pre-programmed settings for Hologic Eviva and ATEC
biopsy devices are designed to offer radiologists quick and efficient
set-up for reduced procedure times. Another advancement in breast biopsy
procedures is Trident, Hologic’s mobile system with a direct digital
detector technology to produce high-quality images for rapid
verification of tissue specimens such as breast biopsy samples. www.hologic.com
GE Healthcare (Chalfont, St Giles, UK) showcased SenoBright, GE’s
newly FDA-cleared contrast-enhanced spectral mammography (CESM)
technology that combines 2 high-quality images that, when looked at
together, create one clear image of the breast. This fast imaging
technique is an alternative to the long waits associated with other
tests.
www.gehealthcare.com
Giotto USA (Wichita, KS) featured the Giotto Image 3D and 3DL
Digital Mammography Systems, which offer 3-dimensional imaging with an
18 × 24 cm Bucky and the 3DL with an 24 × 30 cm Bucky. The Giotto
provides 2 systems in one by adding the optional Biopsy Digit
stereotactic biopsy device, enabling stereotactic biopsy procedures,
prone or upright, combining mammography and prone stereotactic biopsy
all in one unit. www.imsitaly.com
Naviscan (San Diego, CA)—In a presentation at RSNA 2011,
researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
showed that using PEM to measure PEM values (PUV) from baseline might
indicate whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy is effective. PEM is
Naviscan’s high-resolution PET scanner showing the location as well as
the metabolic phase of a lesion in breast tissue. The metabolic view is
designed to assist physicians in making optimal care decisions by
providing an ability to distinguish between benign and malignant
lesions. www.naviscan.com
Philips Healthcare featured MicroDose, its new full-field digital
mammography (FFDM) solution, which reduces radiation dose by up to 50%
compared with other FFDM systems. www.healthcare.philips.com
Sectra (Linkoping, Sweden) launched Sectra OneScreen, an online
solution to identify patients in the risk group for osteoporosis, which
can be used in combination with mammography. With a single, standard
X-ray image of the hand the women’s bone health (Bone Mineral Density,
BMD) is estimated, using DXR technology. The image is taken at the same
time as breast images, using the same radiology equipment. It is then
sent to Sectra’s online lab for analysis.
Sectra also showcased Sectra Breast Imaging PACS, with tools to
streamline mammography workflow, and introduced the possibility of
reading breast tomosynthesis images in Sectra Breast Imaging PACS. www.sectra.com
Siemens Healthcare (Malvern, PA) showcased the MAMMOMAT
Inspiration full-field digital mammography system with screening,
diagnostic, and stereotactic biopsy capabilities. The unit offers 3
anode/filter combinations to match breast density and thickness. The
Opdose feature automatically selects the appropriate anode/filter
combination and the lowest radiation dose for individual breast
characteristics. Inspiration’s Opcomp function applies compression only
as long as the patient’s breast is soft and pliable, stopping at the
point of optimal compression. www.siemens.com/healthcare
Computed Tomography
GE Healthcare showed the recently 510(k)-cleared Optima CT660
64-slice system, providing a scalable, low-dose platform that enables
fast, high-performance imaging in a variety of clinical settings. GE’s
dose lowering included Veo, a model-based iterative reconstruction
(MBIR) technology, and DoseWatch, a solution for tracking patient dose
and optimizing imaging safety. The company
also unveiled its new CT workstation, the Dexus workflow environment, designed to improve efficiency through PACS integration.
In support of lowering CT dose, GE released a new dose-tracking
and reporting solution, DoseWatch, engineered to help healthcare
facilities analyze patient exposure levels over time. DoseWatch captures
standardized dose information on
CT, interventional, mammography and x-ray systems from a range of equipment vendors. www.gehealthcare.com
Hitachi Medical Systems America (Twinsburg, OH) featured its CT
system SCENARIA, which features a 64-slice gantry with a wider 75-cm
aperture and automatic lateral shifting tabletop, to enhance access and
ease anxiety. The system includes Hitachi’s full package of advanced
dose reduction and dose awareness features, from Intelli EC–3D Automatic
Exposure Control and Intelli IP—Iterative Processing—to Dose Check and
DICOM Dose Structured Reporting, and more. Advanced applications modules
can be added, including Cardiac Package, Neuro Time Density Analysis
and TeraRecon’s full suite of iNtuition 3D visualization and analysis
programs. www.hitachimed.com See a video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Philips Healthcare showcased the Philips MX16EVO CT system, which
offers16-slice technology and a wide detector, designed for fast,
high-resolution scanning, with shorter breath-hold time and high patient
throughput. Included is metal artifact reduction technology, which
enhances visualization of critical structures by reducing the
interference of metal artifacts. The cost-effective MX16EVO slice CT
system allows institutions to excel at routine CT scans, as well as
expand into neurological and CT angiography (CTA) imaging with excellent
image quality. www.healthcare.philips.com
Siemens Healthcare unveiled SOMATOM Definition Edge Single-Source
CT, equipped with the Stellar Detector, which has TrueSignal
technology, engineered to reduce electronic noise and potentially
improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the images. The scanner is designed
to capture structures up to 0.3 mm, and to provide a rotation speed of
0.28 sec. According to the manufacturer, this may enable physicians to
perform a customary thorax-abdomen examination in approximately 2 sec
and potentially eliminate the need for patient breath holding during a
scan.
Also new to its CT portfolio is the SOMATOM Perspective, a CT
scanner that offers the eMode software solution, designed to optimize
the best correlation between dose, efficiency and image quality,
automatically selecting scan parameters so that the CT operates with as
low a load as possible. Potentially suited to cover a variety of
clinical fields, the SOMATOM Perspective may potentially allow clinics
and practices to extend their range of available examinations.
Siemens also highlighted its computed tomography (CT) iterative
reconstruction algorithm SAFIRE—Sinogram Affirmed Iterative
Reconstruction, image reconstruction software. SAFIRE is said to help
users reduce dose by up to 60% compared to previous filtered back
projection techniques. It also has a reconstruction speed of 20 images
per sec. www.siemens.com/healthcare
Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (Tustin, CA) unveils next
generation dose reduction technology, Adaptive Iterative Dose Reduction
3D (AIDR 3D), which is a works-in-progress and pending 510(k) clearance.
Available on Toshiba’s Aquilion ONE, Aquilion Premium and Aquilion
PRIME systems, AIDR 3D enables scanning at lower radiation dose compared
to conventional scanning, using an algorithm designed to work in both
the raw data and image data space to reduce noise while maintaining
image quality. AIDR 3D is integrated with SUREExposure 3D, software that
calculates the minimum radiation exposure required for every exam, and
adjusts dose for each patient based on a pre-set, targeted level of
image quality. www.medical.toshiba.com
Contrast Media
Bracco Imaging S.p.A. (Milan, Italy) featured an evolution in the
Empower CTA injector with new connectivity features that support data
exchange with RIS and PACS. This connectivity aims to simplify workflow,
allowing users to document and communicate injection information. The
company also featured IRiS, Bracco’s contrast management software for an
MR suite that can track patient identification, creatine values,
contrast, and consumables such as syringes. The company also showcased
its automated 3-channel syringe-less contrast media injector for CT
examinations. The CT Exprés 3D, the primary product of Swiss Medical
Care, which Bracco recently acquired, is a closed-injector system
designed to deliver enhanced safety, faster workflow, and improved cost
management. www.bracco.com
Covidien (St. Louis, MO) highlighted its Optivantage Dual-Head CT
contrast delivery system equipped with RFID-enabled intelligence to
help safeguard against medical errors. RFID tags or transponders
automatically captures, stores, and transmits data. The RFID enabled
Optivantage contrast delivery system combined with the use of RFID
enabled Ultraject prefilled syringes prevents accidental air embolism
caused from using an empty, used syringe. The powerhead provides a color
LCD screen that is fully programmable at the patient’s side. Also on
display at the Covidien booth was the Angiomat Illumena contrast
delivery system, which enables users to switch between angio, cardio and
CT modes. http://imaging.covidien.com. See a video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Medrad, Inc., a business of Bayer Healthcare and Nuance
Communications Inc., highlighted their new collaboration to bring
radiology professionals an interoperability solution that automates
documentation of CT contrast-injection data through connectivity between
the MEDRAD Certegra informatics platform and Nuance PowerScribe | 360
Reporting. The first installation of the reporting system debuted at the
Mt. Sinai Medical Center (MSMC) in New York. Through the partnership,
users can auto-populate contrast-injection records into radiology
reporting systems—eliminating contrast-injection record look-ups and
dictation, driving accuracy and consistency of documentation across
physicians. www.bayerhealthcare.com, www.medrad.com, www.nuance.com
Diagnostic Displays
Barco (Kortrijk, Belgium) displayed its Mammo Tomosynthesis 5MP,
the first FDA-cleared system for breast tomosynthesis. The display comes
with some groundbreaking technologies specifically developed for
multimodality mammography. The Mammo Tomosynthesis 5MP displays
multimodality images using RapidFrame technology, which is engineered to
speed pixel refresh when reviewing multi-frame image sequences such as
tomosynthesis or breast MRI, eliminating blurring or ghosting. The
display also uses per pixel uniformity technology to remove disturbing
screen noise.
Barco also launched its Coronis Fusion 4MP DL, a 30-inch
diagnostic color display that can be used as one wide-screen desktop or 2
seamless 2 megapixel heads. Equipped with Diagnostic Luminance
technology, the Coronis Fusion 4MP DL aims to address the dual needs of
color and grayscale imaging, enabling radiologists to read all their
studies without changing workstations. www.barco.com
Dome NDSsi (Waltham, MA) featured the Dome S-series displays with
a front-mounted sensor to take direct measurements from the front of
the display. The S-series sensor covers are designed to minimize visual
obstruction. DirectRead technology is mounted to the sensor close to the
screen, using a plastic light pipe to a sensor in the back in order to
capture more light and make more precise measurements. On the S10, a
patented rear sensor mounted behind the front sensor compensates for the
variation in the backlight near the edge of the display. This also
protects against sensor drift as the backlights age.
Dome also highlighted its premium 10MP diagnostic grayscale
display, the Dome S10. This high-grade medical display is designed with
the brightness required for mammography and speed needed for
tomosynthesis. The S10 grayscale display is capable of showing 5
megapixel (MP) images on each panel for back-to-back chest wall reads.
Its widescreen 10MP grayscale display has a sleek, lightweight,
low-power design. www.ndssi.com/products/dome. See video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Digital Radiography
Agfa Healthcare (Mortsel, Belgium) showcased its new,
high-productivity DX-D 600 platform, which comes in 3 different
configurations. With the versatile manual system, you have the
possibility of a mixed CR/DR configuration, with several options for 1
or 2 fixed or switchable detectors in the wall stand and table. The
semi-automatic configuration includes vertical tracking on table and
wall stand, and fixed or portable DR detectors in both the wall stand
and the table. www.agfahealthcare.com
Carestream Health (Rochester, NY) showed its work-in-progress
CARESTREAM DRX-Revolution Mobile X-Ray System, a new mobile DR system
featuring a unique, collapsible column that allows unobstructed views
for enhanced visibility and safety while moving the system. It is a
dual-drive system with 2 monitors that can make 360-degree turns in
tight spaces to improve productivity in bedside imaging. www.carestream.com
Canon (Tokyo, Japan) rolled out its first compact wireless DR
detector, the CXDI-80C Wireless DR Detector, at RSNA 2011. The system
features a lightweight body design with an imaging area of approximately
11 x 14-inches, compatible with standard-size Bucky trays, enabling
radiology room upgrades from analog to cutting-edge digital imaging.
Providing high-quality images with low X-ray exposure to the patient,
the CXDI-80C Wireless DR Detector weighs 5.1 pounds and incorporates a
6.1-megapixel image sensor with a pixel pitch of 125 microns, a cesium
iodide (CsI) scintillator, and can produce up to 140 images on a fully
charged battery. www.usa.canon.com
Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. showed its latest extensions to
its portable digital radiography (DR) arsenal with the FDR D-EVO
Portable Upgrade System and the FDR Go flex. The FDR D-EVO system can be
fitted with any of Fujifilm’s wireless FDR D-EVO models and includes
the FDX Console workstation. The workstation includes a smartly designed
swivel and tilting display to simplify image previewing for the
technologist. The lightweight, compact FDR Go flex consists of a
wireless FDR D-EVO flat panel detector, a full-featured laptop
workstation and supporting mini components box.
Fujifilm also presented its flagship DR system the FDR
AcSelerate, which will include enhanced features necessary to perform
dual energy subtraction with multi-stage registration and tomosynthesis
exams. The recent tomosynthesis upgrade on FDR AcSelerate will capture
up to 60 images in one fluid sweep, and then images are displayed on the
PACS workstation. www.fujimed.com
Konica Minolta Medical Imaging (Wayne, NJ) emphasized its digital
radiography system’s flexibility and quality image acquisition. At RSNA
2011, Konica Minolta introduced Aero DR Portable Retrofit Solution, a
new portable x-ray upgrade kit to turn portable x-ray systems into a
digital, wireless solution. The solution is designed for a quick, easy
and inexpensive transition from analog to digital. The portable and
cable-free device has a 15.5 × 15.5 × 3-inch footprint, small enough to
fit inside the storage bin, and is designed for use in surgery and
emergency environments. www.medical.konicaminolta.us
Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (Tustin, CA) introduced the
Kalare Wireless X-ray, a system designed to improve productivity and
efficiency in x-ray imaging. The digital x-ray system includes a new
wireless 14 x17-in panel with a rotating Bucky ray for increased
movement. The rotating Bucky tray rotates from portrait to landscape,
reducing the need to lift and rotate the detector to increase
productivity. www.medical.toshiba.com
Interventional X-ray
Canon unveiled its first mobile C-Arm system, the Xephilio,
equipped with Canon’s newly developed x-ray Flat Panel Detector, the CSX
Dynamic Detector. The flat-panel detector is designed to capture
high-quality clinical images at a low dose for both static x-ray images
and mobile fluoroscopic live video. The wide C-arm depth is designed to
provide broader coverage of the patient’s body parts for intervention
and orthopedic surgery. www.usa.canon.com
GE Healthcare unveiled the Discovery IGS 730, with both floor-
and ceiling-mounted systems, providing laser-guided motion technology on
a motorized mobile gantry for predictable and precise trajectories. The
system can make wide bore 3-dimensional acquisitions. With more than 20
advanced applications available, the Discovery IGS 730 is positioned
for a new era of interventional procedures. The C-arm, a motorized and
fully mobile system, is based on laser guidance and can move freely from
imaging position to parking or back-out positions, using predefined
trajectories to provide total patient access. The Discovery IGS 730
features One-Touch-Back-Out, enabling fast and easy gantry movement away
from the patient.
GE also introduced the Innova IGS 630 biplane cardiovascular and
interventional imaging system. The system features Innova CT HD, with
3-dimensional imaging, and a comprehensive set of advanced applications
for interventional neuroradiology. It offers a dose management solutions
and an enhanced end user experience for optimized workflow through
customized display possibilities. These features are appropriate for
interventional neuroradiology procedures, which uses minimally invasive
image-based technologies to help physicians diagnose and treat diseases
of the central nervous system, head, neck and spine.
GE also introduced a new mobile x-ray system, a fully digital
Optima XR220amx, designed to streamline transportation and help improve
patient positioning. Optima is part of GE’s x-ray platform powered by
FlashPad, a digital wireless x-ray detector designed to enable flexible
positioning. www.gehealthcare.com
Hologic Inc. presented the works-in-progress Hologic Fluoroscan
InSight-FD mini C-arm, which features a high-resolution flat detector
that rivals standard x-ray images in a mini fluoroscopy system. The
system is designed to have a greater range of motion in a more
ergonomic-friendly design for ease of positioning and greater surgical
access, as well as new image processing for superb image quality. www.hologic.com.
Philips Healthcare featured its next-generation Veradius Mobile
C-arm with flat-detector balances, consistent image quality and clarity
with a design that allows for sufficient space and convenience in
challenging cardiac, vascular and orthopedic surgeries. The device is
equipped with a large field of view that is not affected by geometrical
or magnetic distortions. www.healthcare.philips.com
Siemens Healthcare displayed the Luminos Agile, the first
patient-side controlled system with dynamic flat-panel detector
technology, height-adjustable table and dual-use capability for
fluoroscopy and radiography. It has a 17 × 17 dynamic flat-panel
detector provides a larger view without repositioning or changing the
field of view, reducing overall fluoroscopy time and dose. The low table
height is designed for a patient-side system, adjusting from 25 to 44
in, and has a 600 lb. table weight capacity. Fully synchronized
fluoroscopy and radiography capability is available on the Agile by
incorporating the Siemens Ysio digital radiography option. www.siemens.com/healthcare.
IT
Agfa Healthcare (Greenville, SC) debuted IMPAX Clinical
Applications 2.1, a suite of advanced image processing and 3D rendering
tools. The PACS is designed to address the clinical needs of
radiologists and clinicians by integrating the advanced processing
applications directly into the IMPAX PACS workflow. Because all reading
and reporting tools are integrated directly within the IMPAX workflow
and on one desktop, the solution is said to enable more efficient and
rapid availability of results. Users can switch between applications
without reloading study images, and access priors for comparative data
sets quickly.www.agfahealthcare.com
BRIT Inc. introduced Peer Review for Radiologists, a cloud-based
solution for radiologists to perform peer reviews as per the ACR
recommended scoring system. Exams are uploaded via DICOM TLS or an
upload widget. Reports can be attached to the studies sent via HL7. A
system administrator enters the percentage of exams to be reviewed by
modality type and the system randomly selects these studies, eliminating
any selection bias.
BRIT also showed DoctorWorks Version 1.2, its upgraded iPad
medical imaging viewer solution, which now provides simultaneous viewing
of 2 studies and the addition of a timeline of studies on both the
study information screen and the viewing screen. DoctorWorks allows
radiologists to share images, reports, integrated EMRs, CCRs, critical
results and ER discordance cross-enterprise by connecting to BRIT’s
Roentgen Works PACS server. www.brit.com. See video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Candelis (Newport Beach, CA) and Microsoft (Redmond, WA) have
teamed up, whereby Candelis’ ASTRA cloud-hosted suite of services will
provide for the secure transferring of patient digital medical images
and studies to patients’ Microsoft HealthVault accounts upon their
request.
Microsoft HealthVault is a personal health application that lets
consumers gather, store and share health information online. Candelis’
Astra cloud-hosted suite of software services, which includes Astra
Plus, Astra Lite, and Astra Mobile, is a downloadable app that allows
users to send and receive imaging studies and reports across a WAN, and
to route studies across a LAN via DICOM. Astra Lite is a thin client,
browser-agnostic tool for delivering reports. Astra Mobile was developed
specifically for Apple’s iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch and allows users
to view and print reports and images from their handheld device. www.candelis.com and www.microsoft.com
Carestream Health showed its zero footprint Vue Motion viewer,
which is available on its PACS platform and as part of its Vue PACS
cloud-based service. Carestream’s SuperPACS technology exchanges
information with disparate RIS/PACS systems to create a streamlined
multi-site radiology workflow. CARESTREAM Vue for Cloud-Based Services
delivers high-performance applications on a pay-per-use basis.
Carestream’s cloud-based family of services includes Vue Cloud PACS, Vue Cloud Archive, and Vue Cloud Community, which offers image exchange and access portals. www.carestream.com
Claron Technology (Toronto, Canada) introduced a web-based 2D and
3D image viewer accessible wherever a Web browser is available with no
application download. Compatible with Windows, Apple, Linux, iPad,
iPhone, Android and Blackberry, the new Nil iPhone/iPad product will
provide complete access to all the functionalities, including
side-by-side viewing, arrangement and comparison of multiple
series/multiple studies. The new Nil app also supports viewing protocols
for PET/CT and PET/MR data fusion for optimized viewing of enhanced MR
and CT studies. www.clarontech.com
CoActiv Medical (Ridgefield, CT) demonstrated its EXAM-PACS
web-based PACS solution’s ability to acquire, display and archive the
new DICOM standard breast tomosynthesis exams, including the Hologic 2D
and 3D Combo multiframe exams. The company also debuted EXAM-RIS v.2.0, a
customizable RIS that offers a full range of features, such as
specialized worklists and automated referring-physician communications
to a seamless HL7 interface for billing and more, new EXAM-RIS. www.coactiv.com
Dell Inc. (Round Rock, TX) highlighted its solutions for
healthcare providers to store, manage, and share medical imaging data
through a large cloud-based medical archive platform. The Dell Cloud
Clinical Archive offers a single-source end-to-end solution designed to
simplify data retention, facilitate disaster recovery, and allow medical
professionals to access and share images across a variety of
applications and platforms. www.dell.com/healthcare
Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A. (Stamford, CT) rolled out
Synapse® PACS 4.0, which includes improvements to image visualization
with image processing for all of Fujifilm’s digital radiography and
full-field digital mammography systems. This upgrade also enhances
ease-of-use with customizable user interface functions, native 64-bit OS
support, active overlays, resident reading, spine labeling, and a user
dashboard.
Fujifilm also debuted version 6.1, the latest addition to the
company’s Synapse RIS and Synapse TeleRIS applications, which offers
graphical dashboards that provide end users with the ability to better
monitor and manage performance in real time; Synapse Financials for RIS,
which provides a seamless option of incorporating practice management
into the system; and advanced dose management features. www.fujimed.com
GE Healthcare demonstrated the Centricity Radiology Mobile Access
2.0 platform, designed to enable radiologists to use their iPad and
iPhone devices to remotely accesses images and reports from Centricity
PACS, as the mobile product has clearance for primary diagnosis. The
diagnostic clearance for the solution is limited to CT and MRI exams on
an iPad or iPhone when not in proximity to a PACS workstation. www.gehealthcare.com
iCAD Inc. (Nashua, NH)— iCAD highlighted a new work-in-progress,
MRI-guided prostate biopsy prototype solution that features a
combination probe and positioning software (PrecisionPoint for
VividLook). The software uses in-plane scan specification and localizer
scans to determine needle position, and a semi-rigid arm that allows for
a broader range of motion.
The company also debuted its Prostate MR-TRUS Fusion Integration,
a work-in-progress integration of prostate MRI/TRUS-Fusion to enable
radiologists and urologists to provide a more accurate assessment of the
prostate gland. Additionally, iCAD featured its next-generation CAD
solution for mammography, SecondLook Premier, as well as its SecondLook
Digital Multi-Vendor solution. www.Icadmed.com
LifeImage (Newton, MA) launched LINCS service, a network designed
to help physicians improve patient care and reduce costs. The network
allows physicians to share medical images and associated information
with each other, with medical centers, with referring physicians and
with their patients. LINCS has a directory function to find and contact
an appropriate connection, once the contacted physician approves the
connection, the physicians can share and view images throughout the
patient-care process. www.lifeimage.com
McKesson (San Francisco, CA) showcased its Horizon Medical
Imaging™ and McKesson Radiology Manager™ solution, which are designed to
improve the departments’ workflow, break down the communication
barriers and improve access to patient information by the entire care
team. The architecture is engineered to be scalable to facilities
requiring a complete storage and information management solution. www.allaboutpacs.com
Medweb (San Francisco, CA) announced that its Cloud PACS Service
extends certified IHE-compliant Image Archiving to all sizes of medical
practices, and is now available as an integrated storage service, giving
clinicians a single resource that links to all image sources in their
community. Medweb’s certification specifically addresses the workflows
for intramural Radiology and PACS workflow, as well as Cross Enterprise
Document and Image Sharing, and related encryption, logging, and
collaboration profiles for sharing medical imaging and documents between
hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s offices. www.medweb.com
Philips Healthcare demonstrated its MDC PACS, designed to
streamline a hospital’s workflow and information structure. The solution
allows web-based viewing of images across multiple hospital and
off-site locations. By streamlining access to radiological data, the MDC
PACS aims to improve diagnostic confidence and patient care. www.healthcare.philips.com
Rogan-Delft (Veenendaal,, The Netherlands) featured the
Rogan-Delft PACS using the IBM database product DB2 and IBM storage
solutions for storing medical image files. The company also highlighted
Rogan-Delft Health IT products, such as RIS and XDS will also be able to
use DB2 and other IBM products. www.rogan-delft.com
Siemens Healthcare (Malvern, PA) launched several apps available
for download from the App Store that are designed to operate on the
iPad, iPhone and iPod. These include Touch.syngo.via WebViewer,
syngo.via WebReport, syngo Workflow Mobile, which deliver radiology
information system capabilities to mobile devices. syngo Dynamics
Mobile, which allows cardiovascular imaging specialists to extend their
access to image and report review beyond the workstation to
Internet-enabled devices; and syngo.plaza virtualized, which brings the
acclaimed functionality and user interface of syngo.plaza, are now
available on mobile devices. www.siemens.com/healthcare
MRI
GE Healthcare debuted MAVRIC SL, a 510(k)-pending magnetic
resonance (MR) imaging technique for imaging the joints of patients with
metallic implants and for assessing soft tissues in the vicinity of
arthroplasty and metallic instrumentation. MAVRIC SL is intended for use
on GE 1.5T and 3.0T MR systems. The MR750w with GEM suite coils, GE’s
new wide-bore MR system, helps accommodate more patients through
thoughtful design. www.gehealthcare.com
Hitachi Medical Systems America Inc. rolled out its new 1.5-tesla
MR system, ECHELON, an oval bore system, its flagship 1.5 tesla model.
The oval bore is designed to create a feeling of openness and greater
comfort for patients and has a thin-type wide table. Imaging hard to
reach positions with conventional systems is feasible such as easy
setting of off-center imaging for the shoulders and so on. Also on
display was OASIS, an open type 1.2 tesla super conducting MRI system,
which using an open bore to reduce patients stress, and enable patients
with large frames and the elderly who cannot lie down straight, as well
as children.www.hitachimed.com See video interview on www.appliedradiology.com/MyARTV.
Philips Healthcare exhibited the Intera 1.5T MRI system, designed
to simplify imaging exams using SmartExam technology. SmartExam is a
scanning system that reduces scanning time and increases operator
efficiency. In addition, Intera 1.5T comes with SENSE parallel imaging
technology, making scanning faster and increasing image resolution. The
company also highlighted the Achieva 1.5T SE, targeted at sites that
want to introduce MRI services for the first time or add capacity to
current MRI capabilities. The system includes PowerSave, a solution that
can help reduce energy costs. www.healthcare.philips.com
Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. introduced the Vantage
Titan 1.5T MR Series, offering an 8-channel (works-in-progress) and
32-channel (WIP) systems in addition to its 16-channel MR system. Titan
8-channel MR includes a 71-cm bore, Pianissimo noise reduction
technology, noncontrast imaging, integrated coils with Atlas SPEEDER
technology and an M-Power user interface, at a price point unmatched in
the industry. The 32-channel system is designed for enhanced cardiac
imaging with high slew rate gradients, for high spatial and temporal
resolution.
Toshiba also unveiled a new pediatric coil suite for its Vantage
Atlas and Titan MR systems. The new coils, a works-in-progress, are
optimized for pediatric patients, producing better image quality for
body, spine and neuro imaging. The Vantage Titan 3T MR system is
equipped with Multi-phase Transmission technology, for more homogeneous
abdominal and pelvic images. Toshiba’s Pianissimo sound-reduction
technology helps reduce exam noise by up to 90%. www.toshiba.medical.com
PET
GE Healthcare debuted its PET/CT+MR solution as the next step in
hybrid imaging. The combination of these technologies produces striking
images of the brain, breast and prostate, helping doctors see fine
vessel detail, visualize cardiac anatomy and function, as well as detect
small lesions and monitor response therapy—a combination that may hold
promise for managing patient care.
The company also introduced the new Discovery PET/CT 710, with
128-slice imaging capabilities, and Q.Suite—a collection of capabilities
that support consistency of quantitative measurements in daily quality
control, scanner workflow, motion correction, reconstruction algorithms,
and analysis and reporting applications. Q.Suite is designed to extend
quantitative PET by generating more consistent standardized uptake value
(SUV) readings—enabling clinicians to assess treatment response
accurately. www.gehealthcare.com
Philips Healthcare announced Ingenuity TF PET/MR, a hybrid
modality that offers Astonish TF Time-of-Flight technology combined with
the soft tissue imaging of Achieva 3.0T MRI in a whole-body footprint,
received 510(k) clearance from the FDA and is now commercially available
in both the US and Europe and Canada.
Studies have shown that bringing the highest fidelity PET and MR
imaging together improves the quality and accuracy of diagnostic images.
Also, Philips PET/MR system can produce up to 70% less ionizing
radiation than PET/CT while providing greater visualization of the
cardiovascular disease process. Additionally, the Ingenuity TF PET/MR
was able to effectively image the prostate for the first time and detect
deadly cancers in organs such as the pancreas at a significantly
earlier stage.
Philips also showcased TruFlight Select PET/CT, the company’s
first economical PET/CT system to incorporate the premium time-of-flight
(TOF) technology, Astonish TF, helping to provide virtually all
clinicians access to the advantages of premium TOF technology. TOF
technology is designed to enhance image quality by reducing image
artifacts and providing higher sensitivity. The resulting images help
clinicians better detect and locate lesions to increase diagnostic
confidence and preserve healthy tissue during treatment. According to a
recent study, TOF scans can help to improve lung and liver lesion
delectability. In the study, the improvement was more pronounced in
heavy patients. This product is expected to become globally available in
the fourth quarter. www.healthcare.philips.com
Siemens Healthcare introduced Biograph mMR, which enables
simultaneous whole-body acquisition of data from a 3.0 tesla MR and a
PET scanner. The system enables users to generate the location,
function, and metabolic activity of organs in a single image at the same
time. \ Potential clinical applications for molecular MR include the
early identification and staging of malignancies, therapy planning, and
treatment. The Biograph mMR shows the greatest promise in oncologic and
neurologic applications.
In addition, the company featured the Biograph mCT a positron
emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanner, Siemens
Healthcare provides a system that enables precise measurement of
metabolic processes and data quantification, including the assessment of
neurological disease and cancerous tissue, as well as cardiac blood
flow (perfusion). The clinical indications for the new Biograph mCT
support physicians in treating many oncological, cardiological and
neurological diseases through earlier, more exact diagnosis, and in
therapy planning and precise monitoring of disease progression.
Designed to bring accuracy and reproducibility to quantification
in PET, the system is said to better characterize cancer lesions,
measure absolute myocardial blood flow allows for accurate assessment of
multi-vessel disease, and improve diagnosis of neurological conditions
and management of patients presenting signs of Alzheimer’s disease. www.siemens.com/healthcare
SPECT
GE Healthcare showcased the Discovery NM/CT 670, as single photon
emission tomography (SPECT/CT) system designed to improve workflow,
dose management, and overall image quality. The hybrid system combines a
newly designed SPECT gantry with the BrightSpeed Elite 16-slice CT,
engineered to shorten acquisition times. It has a wide bore and the
table is capable of handling patients up to 500lbs.
Also featured in the GE booth was the Brivo NM615, an advanced
gamma camera developed through GE’s Evolution technology. This
single-head system has the ability to achieve shortened scan times,
rivaling a dual-head system. Brivo NM 615 SPECT allows doctors to lower
injected patient dose by as much as 50 percent of those of standard
nuclear medicine scanning protocols, or the potential for patients to
spend significantly less time on the table during exams without
compromising image quality. www.gehealthcare.com
Siemens Healthcare put the spotlight on its Symbia family of
SPECT and SPECT•CT scanners with the IQ•SPECT, a technology that
supports routine scans using half dose and double speed to provide
comprehensive cardio workup, while easing the burden of the global
molybdenum shortage via a reduction in technetium dose. Diagnostic
SPECT•CT, including calcium scoring, uses half of the typical technetium
dose and cuts acquisition time from approximately 20 minutes to less
than 5 minutes with the addition of IQ•SPECT. www.siemens.com/healthcare
Ultrasound
GE Healthcare updated its LOGIQ S8 ultrasound, a lightweight,
portable ultrasound system, such as S-Agile Ultrasound, technology that
uses flexible clinically-based models of the body to help deliver
consistently clear images for virtually all body types, particularly for
overweight and obese patients. It also now features Scan Assistant;
software that allows for a streamlined workflow, enabling the operator
to customize the system to perform commonly used functions
automatically.
The LOGIQ E9 now has improved color and 4-dimensional imaging;
expanded elastography applications for prostate, thyroid,
musculoskeletal, liver and gynecology; and transducers for transcranial
Doppler, and the ability to load in multiple datasets, including PET
images. www.gehealthcare.com
Hitachi Aloka Medical (Tokyo, Japan), a new dedicated ultrasound
company after Hitachi acquired Aloka Co., Ltd., showcased a
4-dimensional elastography. The company’s new Ascendus and the F75
ultrasound systems feature 4-dimensional elastography. www.hitachi-aloka.co.jp
Philips Healthcare debuted the ClearVue 550 (pending 510(k)
clearance), which is designed to be a user-friendly, lightweight and
energy-efficient ultrasound system that produces high-quality imaging at
an affordable price. The product uses proprietary Active Array
technology, which results in enhanced image quality in both 2D and color
images, lighter-weight cabling, increased system reliability, and
easier serviceability. The versatile platform aims to meet a broad range
of clinical application needs, including abdominal, OB/Gyn, small
parts, vascular, musculoskeletal, cardiac, pediatrics, urology, and
Transcranial Doppler (TCD). www.healthcare.philips.com
Siemens Healthcare launched the ACUSON S3000, a 510(k) pending
ultra-premium ultrasound platform. The new system has eSie Fusion
imaging, a works-in-progress, which enables the automatic fusion of
3-dimensional CT volumes with real-time ultrasound via a single click.
It includes advanced automated ultrasound fusion imaging, and
multimodality review capabilities for additional clinical and spatial
information in the analysis of complex pathology and/or when performing
interventional procedures, such as biopsies. www.siemens.com/healthcare
SuperSonic Imagine (Aix-en Provence, France) demonstrated its
UltraFast Doppler, which unites color flow imaging with pulsed wave
Doppler, and is said to have frame rates up to 10 times faster than
conventional color Doppler. The system also acquires fully quantifiable
Doppler data throughout the color box, enabling the generation of
post-processed pulsed wave Doppler spectra from multiple locations in
the same image. www.supersonicimagine.com
Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. launched the Aplio 500
ultrasound system, which is 510(k) cleared. The system comes optional
with Fly Thru and Smart Fusion features. Fly Thru using 3-dimensional
volume rendering to “fly through” interiors of ducts and vessels for
better exploration of lesions and masses, and to assist in planning
interventional procedures. The other feature, Smart Fusion, shows both
CT and ultrasound images side-by-side on a single screen. Smart Fusion
syncs the 2 images, helping to locate hard-to-find lesions and aiding in
ultrasound-guided biopsy without additional CT scans. Toshiba’s Smart
Fusion is easy to use, with the most intuitive user set-up available. www.medical.toshiba.com