The ultrasound division of Siemens Medical Solutions of Malvern, PA, will feature its new Acuson X300 and Acuson X500 ultrasound scanners, as well as upgrades to its ultrasound workstation software and new cardiac imaging techniques.
Acuson X300 is a compact, portable system that features what the company is calling an ErgoDynamic design intended to streamline clinical workflow. The scanner is ideal for environments where mobility is important or space is limited, the company said.
Acuson X300 includes tissue harmonic imaging to improve contrast and spatial resolution by reducing noise and clutter. A cardiac imaging package with a set of cardiac imaging modes, features, and reporting packages is also available.
The scanner has U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance, and is currently available in the U.S. and some international markets. The system is targeted at hospitals and outpatient clinics.
Acuson X500 is a multispecialty ultrasound system that, like Acuson X300, also offers multibeam image formation technology, as well as dynamic tissue optimization (DTO), which enhances contrast resolution in real-time to improve diagnostic capabilities and clinical outcomes, according to the company. In addition, Siemens' fourSight 4D technique combines volume acquisition with display and rendering rates for 3D and 4D imaging.
Acuson X500 is available with an advanced cardiac package that includes a full range of transducers, from pediatric to adult transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), and features such as integrated stress echo and DTI for color and spectral Doppler. Acuson X500 also has been cleared by the FDA, and is available in the U.S. and select world markets.
For the syngo US Workplace software, Siemens also plans to show its flexibility in performing image manipulation, remeasuring, and analysis with clinical applications accessible on a Microsoft Windows XP-based PC. syngo US Workplace features fourSight TEE views, 3D surface (volume) reconstruction for detailed anatomical display, and dynamic multiplanar reconstruction.
In addition, syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI) is a technique that visualizes, measures, and displays global and regional myocardial motion and mechanics in 2D, while syngo Auto Ejection Fraction provides a computer-aided detection (CAD) tool that utilizes pattern recognition technology for automatic calculation of ejection fractions in adult transthoracic exams.
Siemens' target niche for syngo US Workplace is hospitals and outpatient clinics. The software has received FDA clearance, and is currently available in the U.S. and select world markets.
Finally, Siemens will discuss its Acuson Antares scanner. The system is capable of 2D, color Doppler, 3D, 4D, and contrast agent imaging. The narrow, uniform slice thickness of the scanner's Hanafy lens transducer technology enhances performance in all imaging modes, according to the company, while its MultiHertz multiple frequency imaging technology provides independent frequency selection, eliminating the need to change transducers midexam to improve exam time and image quality.
Acuson Antares also supports fourSight 4D ultrasound technology, making the system capable of 3D/4D imaging and intuitive workflow by integrating 4D images within the clinical exam. The scanner is FDA-cleared and currently available in the U.S. and select world markets.
By Wayne Forrest
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
October 27, 2006
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