Celebrating the image at RSNA 2011

“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

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