Carestream debuted wireless DR System, CR/DR software

The DRX-1, unveiled at the 94th Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting by Carestream Health, is designed for high-volume departments and imaging centers, emergency departments, operating suites and portable exams.

It can be employed in applications where a 14- x 17-inch x-ray cassette would be used to be incorporated into all types of radiology environments without modification of existing rooms.

The company said the DRX-1, which will be available in the first quarter of 2009, can deliver preview images in about five seconds.  

Carestream also showed new operating software for its CR and DR portfolio and a new long-length imaging system for its Kodak Directview DR 7500.

The company said its new CR and DR operating software contains Kodak Directview EVP Plus, which allows for simple and independent control of brightness, latitude, detail contrast and other parameters. In addition, a new tool available with EVP Plus allows for images to be calibrated to radiologist preferences, which optimizes image presentation and reduces the need for reprocessing. The new interface protocols facilitate communication of images and information to PACS, ensure processing of patient studies and demographic information and deliver images in soft copy and hard copy formats. A similar user interface for CR and DR platforms improves technologist productivity and reduces the need for training.   
    
Carestream said the long-length imaging system for its Kodak Directview DR 7500 platform uses a tube tilting method. The system provides acquisition and stitching of up to five exposures and can produce images that are 17 inches wide and up to 64.5 inches in length. The automated software eliminates the need to orient or align images and incorporates basic orthopedic measurement tools.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses some of the biggest obstacles facing the specialty in the new year. 

Deepak Bhatt, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and principal investigator of the TRANSFORM trial, explains an emerging technique for cardiac screening: combining coronary CT angiography with artificial intelligence for plaque analysis to create an approach similar to mammography.

A total of 16 cardiology practices from 12 states settled with the DOJ to resolve allegations they overbilled Medicare for imaging agents used to diagnose cardiovascular disease.