Ultrasound developer Aloka will introduce a new version of its high-performance ProSound Alpha 10 ultrasound system, which incorporates image enhancements and features to help facilitate HIPAA compliance.
The Wallingford, CT, company's newest scanner, Alpha 10 has a lightweight, flat-panel LCD monitor in addition to new capabilities, such as broadband harmonics, eTracking and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and directional eFlow (D-eFlow).
Aloka's broadband harmonics are designed for greater sensitivity and spatial resolution by providing delay control of the frequency and amplitude in each individual ultrasound transmission.
The company's eTracking feature is designed to evaluate vessel wall stiffness and detect atherosclerosis much earlier than the commonly used intima media thickness (IMT) technique. By estimating a patient's blood vessel age, a healthcare provider can advise the patient to alter his or her lifestyle through diet and exercise to prevent atherosclerosis. eTracking also aids in evaluation of the treatment.
eTracking also enables FMD, a noninvasive way to assess endothelial function. FMD measures minute vasodilatation with 0.01-mm accuracy, according to the company.
Aloka describes directional eFlow as a new high-definition blood-flow imaging mode, primarily for vascular imaging. With the Alpha10's broadband transmission and reception, D-eFlow delivers greater spatial and temporal resolution and can be used for both high-velocity and low-velocity blood flow.
By Wayne Forrest
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
October 27, 2006
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