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.