As the digital revolution continues to sweep across the radiology landscape, many technology manufacturers have released new first- and second-generation digital radiography (DR) and computed radiography (CR) products. Several of the CR/DR products previewed at RSNA 2002 have become commercially available in recent months.

Canon adds two
products to DR line

Canon U.S.A., Inc. (Lake Success, NY) recently received FDA approval for two new additions to their DR line: the CXDI-50G Portable Digital Radiography System and the CXDI-40C Premium Digital Radiography System.

The CXDI-50G is a portable digital radiography system with a 14- * 17-inch detector. The unit, which is large enough for chest and abdominal X-rays, weighs <11 lb and is <1 inch thick. Designed for use as a bedside examination tool, especially in trauma situations, it can also be used for applications that may be difficult to perform with a fixed device.

Total image processing time is 20 seconds, with preview images available in 3 seconds. The amorphous silicon flat-panel sensor has a grayscale of 4096 and approximately 6 million 160-micron pixels. Built-in software allows for connectivity to picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), radiology information systems (RIS), or any DICOM printer.

The FDA has also approved the company's new flagship DR system, the CXDI-40C. Designed for most general radiographic applications, the unit features a 17- * 17-inch imaging area with an amorphous silicon flat-panel sensor with a cesium iodide (CsI) scintillator, a high detective quantum efficiency (DQE), and a high film speed (equivalent to ISO 400). It is available in both wall-stand and table configurations.

The Canon Control Station stores captured images and displays preview images on a touch-sensitive wall-mounted operation panel. The system also includes DICOM-based networking capabilities.

These additions to our DR product line display Canon's commitment to advancing medical imaging technology and expanding the scope of digital radiography, said Eric Kuramoto, director and general manager of the medical systems division. The Canon CXDI-50G provides a wider range of DR applications than ever before. We believe it provides customers with all the reasons they are looking for to make the move to digital radiography.

Fuji introduces multicassette CR

Fujifilm Medical Systems USA (Stamford, CT) recently introduced the latest addition to its CR line: the ClearView-CS (Figure). This new reader offers a multicassette stacker design, providing multiroom capability. The system also includes dual-sided reading technology. With this technology, the captured X-ray information is read simultaneously from both sides of the imaging plate, resulting in 100% higher DQE, and lower noise. The spatial resolution sampling is 50 microns for both 18- * 24-cm and 24- * 30-cm cassettes.

The ClearView-CS can process up to 178 imaging plates per hour and can be upgraded for mammography applications, processing up to 20 screening mammography exams per hour from multiple examination rooms.

The introduction of ClearView-CS is a testament to Fuji's ongoing commitment to provide customers with the most advanced digital X-ray solutions, said John Strauss, director of marketing, imaging systems at Fuji. The addition of this reader extends our comprehensive, technology-consistent product array.

The ClearView-CS is expected to be commercially available in the fall of 2003.

Orex debuts CR with
integrated mini-PACS

Orex Computed Radiography (Auburndale, MA) recently added a fully integrated mini-PACS to its line of desktop CR products. The Orex/Onyx-RAD allows users to send and receive DICOM files and burn CDs at the CR reader. The viewer includes advanced features such as pan, zoom, and annotate, and a proprietary unsharp masking feature provides edge enhancement. The unit is Internet- and Intranet-enabled to permit remote image transfer; lossless and various lossy compression levels are available.

When combined with one of the Orex distributed computerized radiography (D-CR) systems, Onyx-RAD mini-PACS provides PC-based quality control, review, and advanced image management in a compact system.

With tabletop formats and the ability to process up to 84 plates per hour, the Orex D-CR line was designed to address the needs of freestanding radiology clinics and medical professionals whose low imaging volume does not justify the cost and space requirements of large central units. At present, the D-CR line includes the single-cassette PcCR 1417 and the dual-reader RAIS 2 (Redundant Array Integrated System). The PcCR 1417 reads up to 41 plates an hour up to 14 * 17 inches, while the dual system reads 84 plates an hour. Both are available with built-in Onyx-RAD.

Ceiling-mounted C-arm with flat-panel detector from Siemens

Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, PA) recently unveiled a new, fully digital ceiling-mounted cardiac imaging system equipped with flat-panel detector (FD) technology. The AXIOM Artis dTC has an optional integrated ultrasound solution and a multimodality display, permitting the visualization of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance images on the system. The unit employs the company's proprietary syngo technology, providing full DICOM compatibility and integration with hospital information systems (HIS) and RIS.

The AXIOM Artis dTC also includes the new CareShuttle transport system, designed to eliminate repositioning of the patient in the exam room. The patient is prepared and transported to the cardiology system on a single tabletop that is then docked to the system table. Vital signs can be monitored continuously during transport and intervention.

The ceiling-mounted C-arm, combined with the compact FD technology, allows for access to virtually all anatomic regions. System controls can be accessed via the tableside touch-screen display.

Flat-panel detectors not only improve image quality, but, in combination with the ceiling-mounted design, also significantly improve access to the patient for cardiac procedures, said Manfred Fink, vice president of the X-ray and angiography unit at Siemens. The high resolution obtained allows the user to visualize even the finest vascular structures and stents in precise detail.

Kodak begins shipping CR 850

Eastman Kodak Health Imaging (Rochester, NY) has begun commercial shipment of its latest CR system, the DirectView CR 850.

This single-cassette system offers a throughput of up to 100 cassettes per hour. Designed for use in areas with limited floor space, such as the emergency department or the intensive care unit, the CR 850 has a footprint of 25 * 29 inches (63 * 73 cm). Its privacy features include user identification and authentication, display blanking, and automatic user logout.

The system includes a 15-inch flat panel display and a barcode reader for patient and cassette identification.

The new system supports the company's DirectView remote operations panels, which allow patient/cassette identification, image review, and image distribution to be performed in the examination room, and the optional enhanced DirectView EVP software. It also supports the company's new long-length imaging system. An optional software package allows users with Kodak DryView laser imaging systems to print a true-size segment from anywhere within a composite long-length image and to print up to 4 true-size segments to form a composite long-length film image up to 129 cm in length.