GE event includes portable mammo launch

GE Healthcare introduced an ultraportable mammography system called SenoCase that's the size of a large suitcase at its September 15 media event in New York City.

SenoCase is designed to function like the company's Senographe Essential, a full-sized digital mammography system, but will cost much less. GE's objective is to offer SenoCase as an affordable mammography system that can be transported in a car, without the need for a special van, for rural healthcare facilities.

"We think the SenoCase will allow for portable breast imaging on a global basis, as a rugged, robust system with an affordable opening price point that can propel this kind of capability into world areas," said Jeff Immelt, GE chairman and CEO, at the event.

GE also highlighted its SenoBright contrast-enhanced spectral mammography technology. First touted at the 2010 RSNA meeting, SenoBright combines digital mammography, low- and high-energy x-rays, and a contrast agent, and is designed for following up suspicious results from screening mammography.

SenoBright has been installed in 17 facilities in Europe and Asia. It is currently pending 510(k) clearance by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not yet available for sale in the U.S.