Digital x-ray begins to benefit from economies of scale, Part II

2002 11 18 16 56 26 706

GE Medical Systems
Booth #4129
GE of Waukesha, WI, will be debuting two new products from its x-ray stable, the Innova 4100 angiographic DR system and a fluoroscopic 3-D navigation system. Innova 4100 is targeted at single-plane vascular and mixed vascular/cardiac use labs. The company also says the systems can be used by neurosurgeons and interventional radiologists for such procedures as uterine arterial embolization and vertebroplasty.

2002 11 18 16 56 26 706

Innova 4100 features a 41-cm digital flat-panel detector with five times the dynamic range of an image intensifier and 20% greater detective quantum efficiency. The system is coupled with a 3.97-million-heat-unit vascular x-ray tube with 0.3-, 0.6-, and 1.2-mm focal spots, a motorized bolusing angiographic collimator, and a new system interface.

Innova 4100 is based on GE’s Revolution amorphous-silicon digital flat-panel detector, and can achieve 16, 20, 30, and 40-cm fields of view. It has a 1024 x 1024 matrix size, acquisition frame rate speeds from 0.5 to 30 frames per second, and a 100 kW high-frequency grid pulsed generator. A final application for clearance has been filed with the FDA, and the product is expected to be globally available in December.

GE is also spotlighting its Fluoro Navigation with 3D tool to attendees this year. The product creates 3-D images from a fluoroscopic image dataset in real-time in the operating room. Based on electromagnetic tracking technology, GE believes the product will reduce x-ray exposure and improve procedure accuracy. The tool, targeted toward orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons with a cranial or spine focus, has received FDA 510(k) marketing clearance and is expected to be globally available in January 2003.

Hologic
Booth #3500
Digital x-ray and mammography provider Hologic is swinging into town with its 2002 11 14 16 34 03 706Epex family of DR systems, including the new Epex Symphony. The system is designed for hospitals that want a two-detector solution, with one detector working in conjunction with on-table, in-table, and cross-table imaging, and another detector in a tilting wall stand -- all utilizing the same overhead tube crane, the same generator, and the same operator console. The system is expected to ship this December.

The Bedford, MA-based developer will also be exhibiting Epex ER, a single-detector DR system with a choice of mobile stretchers for emergency or trauma applications; the Epex dedicated chest system with the Omniflex overhead tube crane or fixed floor-mounted tube-stand options; and the company’s original single-detector system, Epex, which utilizes a fixed radiographic table.

InfiMed
Booth #8308
InfiMed will exhibit its Innovision digital CCD camera, featuring expanded DICOM functionality, pre-programmable exam settings, expanded edge enhancement, and extensive image processing features. The Liverpool, NY, company is marketing the camera as a retrofit for existing radiography rooms or as a new installation.

The firm will also be demonstrating its PlatinumOne RF and DSA system at this year’s conference. The products encompasses the Innovision digital CCD camera, and are a digital solution for image acquisition, processing, and review for urology, fluoroscopy, and angiography applications, according to the vendor. The PlatinumOne RF or DSA is also available as a digital retrofit for existing radiography rooms or as a new installation.

PlatinumOne RF will be replacing InfiMed’s existing GoldOne QS and GoldOne RF products, and PlatinumOne DSA will be replacing GoldOne DSA. The GoldOne products will be phased out, the firm said.

Orex Computed Radiography USA
Booth #3365
2002 11 14 16 34 28 706 Yokneam, Israel-based Orex is introducing its Orex D-CR product line this year. D-CR is a complete system that integrates filmless laser scanners and erasable phosphor plates, image-management software, and a PC-based review station. The compact desktop systems are designed to accommodate placement in small spaces and are touted as affordable to purchase and maintain.

The product line scans phosphor CR plates to a PC workstation without requiring any special connections, according to the firm. The product suite consists of two models that will be demonstrated at McCormick Place.

The PcCR1417reads 42 plates an hour up to 14 x 17 inches in size. It has high-quality image transfer, automatic plate loading and erasing, and is fully DICOM compliant.

The RAIS2 (Redundant Array Integrated System) consists of two CR readers. With RAIS2, a study-oriented workflow environment is created by its ability to access a single patient file and read two images on two separate cassettes at the same time. If one reader goes down, the other provides built-in redundancy. Together, the two components read up to 82 plates an hour, according to Orex.

Philips Medical Systems
Booth #7150
The Bothell, WA, vendor will use the RSNA conference to display a host of x-ray applications and products slated to roll out starting this month through 2003.

In the interventional x-ray arena, Philips will be spotlighting release 3.2 of its Integris 3D-RA system. The product is capable of high-speed, high-resolution 3-D rotational angiographic imaging throughout the body, and can acquire a 120-image dataset in 4 seconds with an initial reconstruction time of 48 seconds, according to the company. The new release will be available this quarter.

The company will also be demonstrating its latest BV family workstation for vascular processing, cardiac QA (coronary analysis, ventricular analysis), static image display and review, local archive, network print and store, and DICOM CD authoring. The BV family workstation is available this month.

In the digital radiography realm, Philips will showcase Unique, multiresolution image-processing software for the company’s entire digital radiography line. Philips says that Unique is ideal for soft-copy viewing and film printing without the need for individually adjusted post-processing. Philips expects to ship the application in the second quarter of 2003.

The company is also showing its Bucky Diagnost family, a retrofit solution for bucky tables to upgrade to DR. Philips will also be highlighting its Digital Diagnost TH rolling wall stand that allows facilities to perform cross-table lateral exams with its digital detector. The products have received FDA 510(k) clearance and will be available globally in 2003.

Quantum Medical Imaging
Booth #3509
Quantum is highlighting updates to its product line released over the past year. The company will be displaying its Verti-Q Tilt, a tilting wall stand targeted for use with either digital radiography or analog x-ray systems, according to the Ronkonkoma, NY-based vendor.

2002 11 14 16 34 52 706

Verti-Q Tilt includes an adjustable receptor range of +90 degrees to -15 degrees, with motorized receptor tilt movement controlled through a remote-control switch. Automatic stops are provided at -15 degrees, 0 degrees, and +90 degrees, according to the vendor. The stand can accommodate a variety of views, including weight-bearing exams and standing skull procedures, according to Quantum.

Quantum will also be showing a tomography system released in May. Called Q-Rad Tomo, the product features a servo-driven design that makes the system easier to control, according to the firm.

The developer will be spotlighting its QT-711 Plus mobile floating-top table, released in October. The table incorporates the flexibility of a mobile radiographic table with a floating-top capability, and was designed for positioning patients within single-panel universal DR systems.

QT-711’s floating tabletop is 85 inches in length and allows 15 inches (± 7.5 inches) of longitudinal travel. The tabletop width is 27.5 inches and provides 5 inches (± 2.5 inches) of transverse travel. Patient-load capacity is 600 lbs. The table’s floating motion is controlled by a hand-operated locking lever, and its 5-inch caster wheels include foot-operated locking devices.

Siemens Medical Solutions
Booth #1129
Siemens will be highlighting Axiom Aristos FX, a digital radiography system that enhances the workflow of radiology departments, increases patient comfort, and provides optimal image quality, according to the Malvern, PA-based firm. The system’s flat-panel x-ray and ceiling-mounted display allows all radiographic scans to be conducted in one room.

Additionally, Aristos FX has organ-specific programs that automatically set exposure and image-processing parameters.

Toshiba America Medical Systems
Booth #7729
This year’s RSNA show will see Toshiba of Tustin, CA, step onto the digital x-ray field with the debut of its Ultimax flat-panel detector system. The company touts Ultimax as an all-digital multipurpose system for both static and dynamic studies, with a 14-inch flat-panel detector and versatile C-arm positioning. FDA clearance is pending for the system, which will be shown as a work-in-progress.

Toshiba will also be displaying its Infinix VC-i vascular platform. The system uses CCD technology, and is able to accept a flat-panel digital detector as a field upgrade. The product is targeted at the diagnostic and interventional procedures market and provides digital subtraction for rotation and stepping, head-to-toe and fingertip-to-fingertip anatomical coverage, and fast-spin 3-D acquisition. The system is available now at a price of $800,000 to $900,000, depending on configuration.

Go to page:
Agfa through Fuji
GE through Toshiba

By Jonathan S. Batchelor
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
November 18, 2002

Copyright © 2002 AuntMinnie.com

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