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For other articles and previous issues click here. December 16, 2005 RSNA
Showcase In addition to the latest scientific and clinical research, RSNA hosts one of the largest medical technology shows in the world. The latest imaging modalities, information technology, and support equipment fill two massive exhibit halls in Chicago’s McCormick Place. Our RSNA showcase is a sampling of those products and services.
The new workstation’s dimensions and surface shape may be customized for the user’s needs and include corner units to make the most of limited space. It is available in a range of colors and finishes. For more information, visit www.afcindustries.com.
Agfa’s Impax Enterprise combines Impax 6.0 PACS, Impax RIS, SMMS (System Monitoring & Management Services), Impax Reporting, Impax Auditing, and Integration Services and encompasses the building blocks for an electronic health record. For more information, visit www.agfa.com.
Existing AccessNET PACS users may also upgrade their configuration to include the tools found in the AccessRAD module for integration of their daily workflow requirements. For more information, visit www.aspyra.com.
The system uses UltraRODEO Plus fat and normal ductal tissue suppression technique. This provides specialized pulse sequences fine-tuned to suppress fat and normal ductal tissue and minimizes the water and protein hot spots that can complicate MRI images. Also with this system comes the new AuroraSUPERSHIM, a shimming technology specifically developed for breast imaging. The process provides additional fat suppression to boost image quality, reduce hot spots, and enable visualization of the axillae along both breasts. Another advancement from Aurora is Aurora CAD, an integrated advanced-image acquisition, processing, and analysis software application. The software automatically recognizes and compensates for patient motion artifacts and distortion. The Aurora 1.5T Dedicated Breast MRI has a wider aperture for the largest access area to the breasts for MRI-guided biopsies and the massage-like table design contoured for the female anatomy enhances patient comfort and reduces motion artifacts. Additionally, the Aurora 1.5T Dedicated Breast MRI features a 64 centimeter gantry, the largest available, to accommodate women up to 500 pounds and image up to and including a G-cup bra size. For more information, visit www.auroramri.com.
Also, Beekley exhibited their new PointGuards Temporary Tattoo Covers intended to protect temporary marks during radiation therapy and ensure accurate day-to-day set-up reproduction. PointGuards provide a watertight seal and stay in place for up to four weeks, even during bathing and daily activities. Made of hypoallergenic, latex-free adhesive, PointGuards are said to be less irritating to skin than some current methods. For more information, visit www.beekley.com.
MammoPad is a single-use, FDA-cleared foam cushion that covers the cold, hard surfaces of mammography equipment. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 40% of women do not get regular mammograms, despite experts’ recommendations that women aged 40 and older get annual screenings. Numerous studies confirm that mammography pain is a major reason many women don’t get regular screens. In multiple studies, the breast cushion has been found to significantly reduce discomfort for most women, including women whose breast cancer has been treated by lumpectomy and radiation. Studies have also demonstrated that MammoPad does not interfere with x-ray quality and can actually increase the amount of compression women can tolerate. More than 5 million women have already used the breast cushion. MammoPad Select is BioLucent’s certification and outreach program for breast centers that provide the MammoPad breast cushion to all women getting mammograms. The program certifies participants as Softer Mammogram Providers, which provides market differentiation, and are supported with a complete marketing and communication program at no additional charge. The MammoPad Select program includes all the necessary tools for promoting the center’s use of MammoPad to referring physicians, public relations partners, and the public. For more information, visit www.mammopad.com.
For more information, visit www.coactiv.com.
The Horizon’s ultra-compact footprint easily allows it to be placed on a desk, counter, or in mobile applications. It requires less than two feet of desk space and weighs less than 70 pounds. The Horizon delivers diagnostic quality images and unmatched versatility in a multiple-modality imaging department. Some of the imager’s key capabilities include the following: • the ability to load and print multiple media types simultaneously; • 4,096 shades of gray and high-resolution, 320-dots-per-inch printing; • multiple film sizes save by printing on the most economical size for each study; • no toner, wax, or ribbons to replace; • excellent transitional, cost-effective media in a PACS environment; and • color output that truly rivals conventional color photographic film. For more information, visit www.codonics.com.
For more information, visit www.confirma.com.
The new microphone features buttons that control the on-screen cursor, including a tab backward and tab forward functionality to speed navigation through voice-driven templates and form fill-ins. Other features include a “transcribe” button to recognize speech or send dictation to a transcriptionist automatically, when physician self-completion will not be used. For more information, visit www.dictaphone.com.
Also introduced at RSNA was the software to work in conjunction with the “M” series. LumiCal Calibration Software combined with the Double Black Imaging hardware allows each display to be remotely calibrated to the DICOM grayscale display function and monitored from a central workstation, send notifications to the central workstation or administrator when the LCD requires service, and allows the administrator to adjust and perform DICOM 3.14 calibration on each LCD from the remote location. For more information, visit www.doubleblackimaging.com.
For more information, call 205-941-1942 or visit www.eisys-inc.com.
The Java version, an addition to HIPAAT’s Windows and Linux versions, supports IHE’s Audit Trail and Node Authentication profile. For more information, visit www.hipaat.com.
The new InDex data migration service includes a new partnership with DeJarnette Research Systems, Inc. to provide clients with a data migration solution tailored to address both technical hurdles and cost constraints typical of transitions with multiple archives. The new service migrates information from a site’s existing archive(s) to InSiteOne’s permanent onsite/off-site archive and disaster recovery service. For more information, visit www.insiteone.com.
InteleViewer Workstation edition features full DICOM support, including DICOM Query/Retrieve, Store, Print Supporting Presentation State Key Images, and JPEG 2000 transmission. The workstation also presents benefits such as a complete range of viewer functionality, including thumbnail display, cine, linked stacking, MPR, annotations and measurements, key image creation, and one-click CD burning. InteleViewer Workstation edition is customizable—by user and modality—and is standards-based, making it ideal for use with single modalities or with full PACS systems. Also at RSNA, Intelerad publicized a full set of new MPR tools, including double oblique MPR, in-plane reformatting, slice averaging, and accommodation for gantry tilt angulation and slice thickness variation, as well as the new Teaching Files Reading Simulator. Created for academic institutions, the Reading Simulator features collections and presentations and allows the medical student to perform soft-copy reading in a fully simulated reading environment complete with the display of a teaching file case history. Cases are tagged and indexed using key word parameters to facilitate searching for specific case types. For more information, visit www.intelerad.com.
The 64-bit drivers are designed for AGP, PCI, and PCI Express display controller boards and is intended to improve performance on all Matrox medical imaging display controller boards. The new processor architecture of the Windows XP Professional x64 Edition driver can run new 64-bit applications along with most existing 32-bit applications, allowing users to make a gradual shift to 64-bit technology at their own pace, while preserving current investments in 32-bit applications. The 64-bit driver allows users to run memory- and calculation-intensive applications more efficiently. For more information, visit www.matrox.com.
Horizon Rad Station eJacket solution enables quick access to exam results using a Web browser. eJacket provides referring physicians with portable access to information from the diagnostic imaging service for the studies they ordered for their patients. This information includes reports with embedded flagged images, scanned documents, voice clips, flagged images, or the entire image set. Horizon Cardiology is an integrated cardiovascular image and information management system, providing diagnostic image management, archiving, procedure reporting, and workflow management. It integrates reports, images, waveforms, and measurements into the patient’s electronic record. Horizon Optical Imaging captures endoscope video output and converts it to DICOM format, enabling viewing, storage, and distribution via McKesson’s Horizon Medical Imaging PACS. For more information, visit www.mckesson.com.
“With the new Continuum system, we’ve delivered more features and increased simplicity,” says John Thomas, executive director of marketing, MR Business Unit. “The enhancements to this product should give the MR nurse or anesthesiologist more confidence in infusing MR patients by reducing confusion that can contribute to medication error.” In addition to more selection of drug-specific units of measurement and reduced need for complicated conversions, the updated infusion system introduces a new dose selection program, Non-Weight Dose, to assist in dose calculation for drugs not dependent on patient weight. Continuum allows healthcare professionals to dispense cardiac stress agents at flow rates up to 1,200 milliliters per hour and to account for time along with bolus weight and body weight with the improved bolus function. For more information, visit www.medrad.com.
Also presented by Merge eMed were several clinical applications including the Cedara I-ReadMammo, a multimodality and vendor neutral breast imaging software application that serves as a one-stop workstation for digital mammography, and Cedara B-CAD, the first computer-aided detection (CAD) solution specifically for breast ultrasound. B-CAD assists radiologists in the analysis of solid breast nodules by automatically analyzing, segmenting and classifying shape and orientation characteristics of user-selected regions of interest and includes annotations based on the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System Atlas. Merge eMed also showcased several advanced visualization modules at RSNA, including their Baby Explorer, which captures ultrasound images directly from conventional ultrasound systems, and displays four viewports to display the sweep: 3-D surface rendered, axial, coronal, and sagittal. Window, zoom, pan, and special manipulation tools provide high-quality fetal views. Colon Review, with powerful tools for reviewing colon or other luminal studies and reporting the findings is a solution for expanding imaging capabilities to include virtual colonoscopy. Lung Review is a comprehensive lung nodule visualization and analysis package that incorporates advanced viewing tools, nodule segmentation, a decision tree based on clinical study recommendations, and automatic report generation. AccuStitch is an advanced image stitching and angle measurement application, which allows the user to stitch thoracic and lumbar films and compute the Cobb angle measurements. For more information, visit www.merge.com. Minrad
Shows SabreSource Targeting Tool SabreSource mounts on a C-Arm fluoroscope, with an FDA-accepted claim of accuracy of within 1 millimeter at 1 meter and allows the surgeon, anesthesiologist, or interventional radiologist to turn off the x-ray and follow the laser beam guide to the subsurface target—substantially reducing exposure. The laser beam acts as a guide, providing a true axis of entry and an accurate approach angle, potentially reducing repeated exposures in x-ray based assessments. For more information, visit www.minrad.com.
Used by leading research institutions for more than 15 years, these 15-element head coils are now available for the 3T clinical market under the brand name Cheetah Coils. They’re FDA cleared/CE marked and available for GE and Siemens 3T MRI systems. Also shown was MR Instruments’s line of 3T extremity coils available in large, medium, and small sizes, which will be available for delivery in early 2006. “The efficient design inherent in Cheetah Coils’ proprietary technology allows for the production of significantly more information with considerably less power, about one fourth on average, than coils of conventional technology,” says Dr. Kenneth Bradshaw, CTO, MRII. “These features give greater diagnostic yield, better images, faster scans, greater patient safety, and increase program ROI.” For more information, visit www.cheetahcoils.com.
CereTom generates up to eight slices per revolution for head and neck scanning in a 25-centimeter field of view. The system can be powered by a battery with enough power to image four to eight patients over a four-hour span and recharge through any 90- to 270-volt outlet. Images are then transferred from the scanner through wireless image transfer system to the company’s Clarus wireless workstation. The system costs less than $300,000 to buy and run for one year, making it a cost-effective second scanner or an affordable option to facilityes that might not otherwise be able to afford a CT unit. For more information, visit www.neurologica.com.
Designed as a tool for imaging professionals, the site will offer a sub-portal for imaging businesses looking to outsource reading and a similar area for off-site reading service providers as well as a platform to connect these two communities to forge new business relationships. The Virtual Radiology Community Web site will also provide a gateway to the VRN image management solution, which is an application service provider (ASP) offering that resides on the Neurostar’s hosted bank of servers. Complementing this will be radiology articles, surveys, user forums, and bulletin boards focusing on radiology topics from multiple perspectives. It will also enable physicians and patients to download and carry relevant medical images with them for viewing on any PC. For more information, visit www.neurostarsolutions.com or call 866-809-4746.
Philips’s new SmartExam is an innovation for MR workflow, which enables clinicians and technologists automatic planning, scanning, and processing through a single mouse-click. The customizable system allows for shorter total examination times for patients, while radiologists capture clinical results without operator variability. SmartExam has the flexibility to perform MR exams defined by the user, and tailored to the user’s conventions and practices. Another technological innovation introduced by Philips is the Simultaneous Multi Energy detector. The new detector is made of layers designed to simultaneously detect both low-energy (soft) and high-energy (hard) x-rays. Simultaneous Multi Energy detectors do not require a second beam of radiation and thus avoid the potential of time lag, registration artifacts, and unnecessary radiation dose. Also introduced was a new full-coverage detector platform based on Nano-Panel technology that will image an entire organ, such as the heart or head, in a single rotation. The new detector is based on tiles that can be integrated into panels of any size. Also introduced at RSNA is the CT Halo, which eliminates the need for a separate control room for imaging suites, giving caregivers more time to focus on patient care by decreasing procedure steps. It also enables the operator to control all gantry functions from inside the scan room and more closely monitor the patient. Philips also unveiled the next generations of its x-ray and ultrasound products and capabilities. For more information, visit www.medical.philips.com.
Designed for use in radiology, cardiology, nuclear medicine, PET, and CT, and the operating room, Planar’s Dome E4C features widescreen, 16:9 format that eliminates the image split associated with dual- head monitors and provides more screen space for multiple images. Along with the other color displays in the Dome EX line (the E2c and E3c), the E4c features 2-D color imaging, image fusion, and 3-D imaging. The Dome E4c can also display more than 90% of a computed radiography image without the need to scale it down and can show 15 full-size 512 X 512 color and grayscale images simultaneously. Additionally, Planar introduced the Dome EX line with color and grayscale displays in 2- and 3-megapixel resolutions, as well as a new 5-megapixel grayscale display. For more information, visit www.planar.com.
Available in 2- and 3-megapixel, grayscale, and color, the four displays offer the latest generation in backlight stabilization. Via a front luminance sensor and an internal temperature sensor, data is collected, analyzed, and luminance levels are automatically adjusted, eliminating backlight fluctuation. The I-Series displays include two grayscale displays, the ME251i and the ME351i, and two color displays, the CCL250i and the CCL350i. All displays feature a digital interface, high luminance and contrast, DICOM compliance, and VESA Compatibility. Also new from Quest is its new series of LCDs, including the 32-inch MultiSync LCD3210, the 40-inch MultiSync LCD4010, and the 46-inch MultiSync LCD4610, the largest LCD information display available on the market. Quest is also pairing the large-screen displays with liquid resistant, stainless steel enclosures, and mobile display carts. Designed to protect the screen investment, the stainless steel enclosure completely encases the LCD and is finished with a sheet of glass making it a solution for surgical suites and operating rooms. For more information, visit www.questinc.com.
For more information, visit www.r2tech.com or call 866-243-2533.
For more information, visit www.ramsoft.biz.
New for CinemaVision: a lightweight headset that integrates video display and audio systems into a single unit designed for maximum comfort and convenience. The headset delivers a resolution of 240,000 pixels for each of the two displays to provide high-quality, realistic video. It provides quality digital stereo sound with a passive noise-attenuation technology and an intercom for ongoing communication between the technologist and patient. The entire headset fits within the MRI coil, making patient set-up fast and simple. Other features include patient volume control and a design that allows the patient to see the technologist and communicate directly with him or her during the scanning process. The New FuncLAB is an fMRI solution for clinical practices and academic applications. FuncLAB combines a complete functional imaging workstation featuring high-quality, 3-D graphics and sound capabilities with a fully automated data processing component, eliminating complex, time-intensive manual data analysis. The fMRI data processor server attaches to the department network and functional and anatomical images are automatically sent in DICOM format from the MRI device to the processor with no manual intervention. After identifying and associating the data to a specific study and sensory task, the system processes the information. The resulting brain maps of anatomy fused with functional results are available on-site and over the Web through a browser-based interface.
PACS-Guard provides real-time 24/7 monitoring of critical system performance and extends Sectra’s ability to provide remote service and support. For more information, visit www.sectra.com.
The Somatom Definition will image patients with high or irregular heart rates, or even arrhythmia, without beta blocker medications that have been previously needed to slow a patient’s heart. The system also enables physicians to better identify and characterize plaque, an early indicator of heart disease. The Somatom Definition capabilities include scanning with two different x-ray energies simultaneously, which allow physicians to better differentiate, characterize, isolate, and distinguish bone, soft tissue, and fluid. This dual-source CT system uses two x-ray sources and two detectors at the same time. With 0.33 seconds per rotation, electrocardiogram-synchronized imaging can be performed with 83-millisecond temporal resolution, independent of the heart rate, resulting in motion-free cardiac images. Featuring a 78-centimeter bore opening and a 200-centimeter scan range, the Somatom Definition increases patient comfort and access, allowing clinicians to image more of the body in less time. The first U.S. installations will take place in early 2006 and will include Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.; The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio; William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich.; and New York University Medical Center. Siemens also debuted its new automated digital radiography system. The Axiom Aristos FX offers a complete solution to streamline workflow. The Axiom Aristos FX Plus builds upon the success of Siemens’ flagship digital radiography system, the AXIOM Aristos FX, with an array of enhancements and applications to further streamline workflow and improve patient throughput, including the following: • Enhanced system drive mechanism-It expedites flexible, convenient patient positioning and imaging. • Redesigned detector housing-It improves grid management. With the touch of a button, the grid is released for easy exchange or removal from any position. • Wireless remote-Collimator setting, patient table movements, tube and detector position, and oblique tracking can be managed without leaving the patient’s side. • Operating system-The 19-inch monitor provides for clearer visualization of images, helping to increase diagnostic confidence and improve quality assurance. • DICOM DX Object-This enhancement digitally labels patient positions to assist the radiologist in more precise interpretation of a study. The system can be easily customized and integrated into pediatric, trauma, and orthopedic environments. In addition to a traditional adult design, the system’s tabletop and supports are available in pediatric design with child-friendly decals to help ease patient anxieties. Scoliosis and advanced orthopedic applications can also be performed on the system via the latest software, VB20. For more information,
visit www.medical.siemens.com. Sony
Exhibits Printers The digital UP-D897 and analog UP-897MD monochrome ultrasound system-compatible printers on display were designed for productivity-driven medical environments and deliver 325-dpi A6 output in approximately two seconds. The UP-D897 model has a USB 2.0 high-speed interface to connect to a digital ultrasound system. Shown as works-in-progress the UP-970AD and UP-990AD models are designed for mobile c-arm, ultrasound, cardiac cath, and related medical-cart applications where space is a premium. Helping facilities transition to new technology, these are the first Sony printers in this category to output from both digital and analog signals. The UP-990AD model prints on both blue film and thermal paper. Also featured was the UP-D72XR, another compact, high-speed monochrome digital imager for use with mobile c-arms, ultrasound, and cardiac cath images. The device supports both USB digital and parallel interfaces. A USB connection enables work in the familiar Microsoft Windows environment and allows the unit to link to the Sony FilmStation dry imager. The UP-D72XR printer delivers thermal 8- X 10- inch prints on both blue film and paper. Rounding out the exhibit were innovative devices for image display, storage, and archiving such as the UP-D77MD color dye-sublimation DICOM imager, with 300-dpi letter size output. The new imager is particularly suited to nuclear medicine applications, PET-CT, and 3D CT and can fine-tune color output to match a display without altering grayscale values. Once calibrated, settings may be copied to other UP-D77MD printers to streamline setup and deliver consistent output across all devices. The imager boasts a compact footprint and a 90-second print speed. Again this year, anchoring Sony’s RSNA printer display was the FilmStation diagnostic quality 14X17 dry film imager, which delivers images from a system with the industry’s smallest footprint. For more information, visit www.sony.com/medical.
ThinkingPACS rounded out its orthopedic offerings with integrated orthopedic digital templating features including a full library of offerings from most major orthopedic manufacturers. Finally, the company also debuted its fully integrated 3-D processing, including multiplanar reformatting, maximum intensity projections, and volume rendering for all modalities. Thinking Systems is sold and supported in the United States through its Master Distributor Walker, Inc. of Tampa, Fla. For more information, visit www.gewalker.com.
Toshiba has extended its cardiac CT training program to meet the growing demand for hands-on training using its Aquilion 64 CFX, its 64-slice CT system. Training will also address development of a successful CT business model for clinicians adopting cardiac CT. Phase 1 of the training program includes a one-week, on-site course offering functional experience using 64-slice CT technology. Training content is developed in an effort to optimize scanning and diagnoses techniques—giving clinicians the opportunity to scan, view, and manipulate images acquitted using the Aquilion CFX. Courses offer continuing medical education credit and provide an array of practical coursework. Physicians may also enroll in a follow-up, 90-day self-study course, following completion of phase 1. Toshiba also unveiled its new room configuration for its T. Rad Plus product line—offering traditional radiographic systems and a removable digital radiography panel and adjustable PIVOT table. The new room configuration enables clinicians to overcome patient positioning challenges faced by radiography departments while improving patient comfort. A key component of the room configuration is Toshiba’s new PIVOT table, which features a rotating base that allows users to move the table to the desired position when imaging patients. Also available as part of the design is a removable 14- X 7-inch DR panel that can be positioned to accommodate a wide range of patients. For more information, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.
Viatronix also released the enhancements to the V3D-Vascular platform for coronary and other vessel analysis. The new features will automatically detect and segment the carotid arteries and create 3-D movies ready to be sent to PACS. Additionally, Viatronix unveiled an open CAD interface for its V3D-Colon platform and Lung CAD platform. For more information, visit www.viatronix.com.
Howard Sanford, head of the radiology department at Aiken Regional Medical Center in Aiken, S.C., says, “WinScribe has eliminated the requirement to cut and paste transcribed text into Aiken’s radiology management system cutting average report turnaround by up to 48 hours. Reports are available to physicians on average 90 minutes after the radiologist dictates the report. Transcription productivity has improved by more than 150%.” WinScribe users can dictate anywhere, anytime and have their dictation automatically routed to the relevant transcription staff, wherever they are located. The solution also supports Health Level Seven standards, making it simpler to integrate into hospital system environments. For more information,
visit www.winscribe.com.
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