SNM Preview 2004
The Society of Nuclear Medicine will mark its 51st annual meeting, with more than 3,800 nuclear medicine physicians, scientists, pharmacists and technologists ready to descend on Philadelphia from June 19th through June 23rd.
SNM organizers say some of the key topics for this year's annual forum include techniques for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, advanced imaging for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer, nuclear cardiology, and how nuclear medicine and bioengineering have joined forces to fight cancer.
PET-CT will be at the forefront of discussions and several categorical seminars during the course of the annual meeting, along with presentations on nuclear cardiology, reimbursement, brain imaging and PET in pediatrics.
Also on the agenda are plenary sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, June 20 through June 22, respectively.
Sunday's plenary session officially launches the annual meeting with a preview of the coming week's events and the annual Henry Wagner Lectureship. The Society also will present the Georg de Hevesy and Paul C. Aebersold Awards.
On Monday, Valentin Fuster, MD, director of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and Carlo M. Croce, MD, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia, will present "New Directions in Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer."
On Tuesday, Michael J. Welch, PhD, professor in the department of radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute if Radiology speaks on "Tracer Studies From Bench to Bedside: Past, Present and Future."
SNM also plans to hold its technologist certification exam review and mock certification exam on Saturday, June 19, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
THE EXHIBIT HALL
SNM 2004 opens its exhibit hall for three full days - Sunday, Monday & Tuesday - to approximately 150 vendors to show their products and latest technologies
GE Healthcare comes to SNM 2004 with the former Amersham plc now integrated, following GE's April acquisition of the British-based pharmaceutical company. GE plans to show the new combination of medical imaging and radiopharmaceutical resources and how the two specialties will benefit nuclear medicine and accelerate the potential for molecular medicine.
GE will upgrade the technology on its Infinia system with a 5 mm step option with Hawkeye for better resolution in SPECT/CT studies; a camera-based PET option; new detector flexibility to accommodate more patient positions; fan-beam collimation for brain studies; and productivity enhancements, including a new gantry display.
The company also is showing an advanced Discovery PET/CT application called HeartFusion, designed to non-invasively evaluate fused coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion information for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Discovery offers 2D, 3D, 4D and dynamic imaging capabilities, CT-attenuation correction and dedicated cardiac advanced applications.
GE's PETtrace cyclotron will add a high capacity 18F-F2 target developed in
collaboration with Hammersmith Imanet, and a high specific activity 11C-methane target.
Myoview (kit for the preparation of Technetium Tc-99m Tetrofosmin for injection), developed by the former Amersham, is used to diagnose heart disease by visualizing blood flow to the heart muscle.
Philips Medical Systems is introducing JetStream Workspace, the next-generation nuclear cardiology module designed to include all imaging elements of a nuclear cardiology laboratory into one environment. JetStream makes it possible for display, processing, review, reporting and image archiving to exist at a single location or distributed throughout the department in multiple locations.
Philips also highlights its CardioMD compact, nuclear cardiology gamma camera for the office-based practice. CardioMD provides good image quality, high throughput and a small footprint, according to the company. This highly innovative imaging system offers complete cardiac imaging capabilities and provides an ideal combination of easy-to-use features that both enhance departmental workflow and allow for simple patient setup.
Philips soon will offer its attenuation correction (AC) technology - VantagePro - on the CardioMD. FDA 510(k) clearance for Vantage Pro on the gamma camera is pending.
Currently, CardioMD features cardiac image processing applications, including AutoSPECT Plus, AutoQUANT Plus, CardiaQ and Emory Tool Box, a quantification and review application for Cardiac SPECT.
Also scheduled for display at SNM 2004 is Philips' Mosaic advanced, small-bore animal PET imaging system for pre-clinical research imaging.
In addition, Philips' ImTek MicroCat II in vivo small animal micro CT system is designed for high-resolution 3D images with data acquisition times as short as five minutes.
Nuclear medicine workstation company Segami Corp. brings to SNM 2004 a works-in-progress technology application the company refers to as stereo 3D.
The company says that stereo imaging allows for better localization of tumors, treatment planning and cath lab procedures. The stereo images can be shown on a projector system, whereby more than one reviewer can interpret the same multi-modality image simultaneously.
Also waiting in the wings is Segami's Juniper scheduling software designed to help manage the workflow in medical imaging centers. The web-based scheduling and registration system manages patient appointments, imaging equipment, staff and other resources. A unique feature of the system is its ability to store pre- and post-processed images. Juniper is scheduled to be available in July.
Segami also will show its flagship product, the Mirage workstation, which is compatible with virtually all vendors' DICOM-compliant medical imaging equipment.
Siemens Medical Solutions comes to SNM 2004 with its biograph line of PET/CT systems. Key new features include HI-REZ, a high-resolution PET option designed to provide improvement in volumetric image resolution; the new Pico-3D option for ultra-fast detector electronics to improve image quality; and a six-slice CT biograph companion to existing two- and 16-slice configurations. In addition, the biograph will feature further integration into the Siemens multi-modality e.soft@Leonardo post-processing IT workplace.
Siemens also demonstrates its c.cam reclining dedicated cardiac gamma camera system, which features a small footprint and enhanced patient comfort. The c.cam's fully integrated software allows analysis of ejection fraction and wall motion.
Siemens also unveils new tools to broaden its nuclear medicine system capabilities and facilitate multi-modality integration. e.soft@Leonardo integrates the suite of nuclear medicine e.soft functionality in the Leonardo workstation. The syngo-based multi-modality workplace enables post-processing of images from nuclear medicine, CT, MR and x-ray systems, as well as images for radiation therapy planning. e.soft@Leonardo will offer more than 50 multi-modality applications, such as syngo FusedVision3D, LungCare CT and calcium scoring.
syngo FusedVision3D is a set of 3D visualization tools designed to improve clinical workflow for viewing and evaluating multimodality studies. The application offers special three-by-three layout for viewing of PET, CT and fused PET/CT images in one display. syngo FusedVision3D also features a volume rendering technique with predefined image settings.
Toshiba America Medical Systems is showing its t.cam variable-angle gamma camera, which is designed to combine system performance and patient-focused technology for both cardiology and oncology diagnosis.
The t.cam Variable uses dual detectors with 76 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree angulation for whole-body scanning, general-purpose applications and SPECT imaging. Using HD4 detector technology and e.soft 3.5 computing platform, the t.cam Variable is designed for quick patient set-up and collimator exchange, as well as faster access to results and high throughput for every acquisition type. e.soft express is a software-only technology for review of cardiac and non-cardiac cases, as well as support for both display and hard-copy review.
Cardinal Health brings to SNM 2004 its Clear-Pb lead-plastic x-ray shielding, a lead-impregnated plastic that contains 30 percent lead by weight. Clear-Pb modular barriers cut down on installation time and provide a safer alternative to ordinary lead glass. Available in modular control booths, windowpanes, overhead and mobile barriers, Cardinal announces at SNM that its most popular mobile barriers are now available in brand-new stainless steel frames.
The company also features its Victoreen Advanced Survey Meter (ASM) 900 series. Measuring radiation in half the time for a typical survey, the meter's time-saving features include instant infra-red data transfer to PCs, radio-nuclide specific readings, peak hold function, advanced data logging capabilities with user-defined protocols, time and date stamp, multiple probe use, optional bar code scanner, built-in scaler functions and information management software. The newest version to the 990 survey meter series is the ASM-993 (in addition to the 990 and 992), which contains an internal energy compensated 30 R/hr GM detector plus an internal pancake detector.
Numa Inc. is featuring the newest member to its NumaStore family of products - NumaStore DVD Image Management System, an image management and archiving system tailored to meet the needs of nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, PET and PET/CT departments. Providing safe, long-term storage for medical images, the system manages the flow of images throughout the nuclear medicine department and beyond.
Numa also highlights NumaList, a DICOM modality worklist manager. The tool adds or corrects DICOM modality worklist information in DICOM image files, enabling the correct patient demographic information to be added to the DICOM images with little or no user input.
Syntermed Inc. comes to SNM 2004 with its Emory Cardiac Toolbox and Nuclear Report Professional. The company also will be making a preliminary introduction of NeuroQ which provides quantification and analysis for neuroimaging technology and currently includes PET DP. Syntermed says PET DP was developed by Dan Silverman, MD, PhD, head of the Neuronuclear Imaging Section in UCLA's Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and will be introduced as a quantification tool for quantifying FDG uptake in the brain allowing for the determination of normal versus abnormal brain function.
MedImage Inc. is highlighting a new feature to MedView, its display program intended for nuclear medicine, PET and PET/CT that runs on Mac or Windows. The new feature allows users to burn a complete patient study onto a DICOM CD, which contains the MedView application and images.
SNM organizers say some of the key topics for this year's annual forum include techniques for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, advanced imaging for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of cancer, nuclear cardiology, and how nuclear medicine and bioengineering have joined forces to fight cancer.
PET-CT will be at the forefront of discussions and several categorical seminars during the course of the annual meeting, along with presentations on nuclear cardiology, reimbursement, brain imaging and PET in pediatrics.
Also on the agenda are plenary sessions on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, June 20 through June 22, respectively.
Sunday's plenary session officially launches the annual meeting with a preview of the coming week's events and the annual Henry Wagner Lectureship. The Society also will present the Georg de Hevesy and Paul C. Aebersold Awards.
On Monday, Valentin Fuster, MD, director of the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, and Carlo M. Croce, MD, director of the Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia, will present "New Directions in Coronary Artery Disease and Cancer."
On Tuesday, Michael J. Welch, PhD, professor in the department of radiology at Mallinckrodt Institute if Radiology speaks on "Tracer Studies From Bench to Bedside: Past, Present and Future."
SNM also plans to hold its technologist certification exam review and mock certification exam on Saturday, June 19, from 12 noon to 6 p.m.
THE EXHIBIT HALL
SNM 2004 opens its exhibit hall for three full days - Sunday, Monday & Tuesday - to approximately 150 vendors to show their products and latest technologies
GE Healthcare comes to SNM 2004 with the former Amersham plc now integrated, following GE's April acquisition of the British-based pharmaceutical company. GE plans to show the new combination of medical imaging and radiopharmaceutical resources and how the two specialties will benefit nuclear medicine and accelerate the potential for molecular medicine.
GE will upgrade the technology on its Infinia system with a 5 mm step option with Hawkeye for better resolution in SPECT/CT studies; a camera-based PET option; new detector flexibility to accommodate more patient positions; fan-beam collimation for brain studies; and productivity enhancements, including a new gantry display.
The company also is showing an advanced Discovery PET/CT application called HeartFusion, designed to non-invasively evaluate fused coronary anatomy and myocardial perfusion information for the assessment of coronary artery disease. Discovery offers 2D, 3D, 4D and dynamic imaging capabilities, CT-attenuation correction and dedicated cardiac advanced applications.
GE's PETtrace cyclotron will add a high capacity 18F-F2 target developed in
collaboration with Hammersmith Imanet, and a high specific activity 11C-methane target.
Myoview (kit for the preparation of Technetium Tc-99m Tetrofosmin for injection), developed by the former Amersham, is used to diagnose heart disease by visualizing blood flow to the heart muscle.
Philips Medical Systems is introducing JetStream Workspace, the next-generation nuclear cardiology module designed to include all imaging elements of a nuclear cardiology laboratory into one environment. JetStream makes it possible for display, processing, review, reporting and image archiving to exist at a single location or distributed throughout the department in multiple locations.
Philips also highlights its CardioMD compact, nuclear cardiology gamma camera for the office-based practice. CardioMD provides good image quality, high throughput and a small footprint, according to the company. This highly innovative imaging system offers complete cardiac imaging capabilities and provides an ideal combination of easy-to-use features that both enhance departmental workflow and allow for simple patient setup.
Philips soon will offer its attenuation correction (AC) technology - VantagePro - on the CardioMD. FDA 510(k) clearance for Vantage Pro on the gamma camera is pending.
Currently, CardioMD features cardiac image processing applications, including AutoSPECT Plus, AutoQUANT Plus, CardiaQ and Emory Tool Box, a quantification and review application for Cardiac SPECT.
Also scheduled for display at SNM 2004 is Philips' Mosaic advanced, small-bore animal PET imaging system for pre-clinical research imaging.
In addition, Philips' ImTek MicroCat II in vivo small animal micro CT system is designed for high-resolution 3D images with data acquisition times as short as five minutes.
Nuclear medicine workstation company Segami Corp. brings to SNM 2004 a works-in-progress technology application the company refers to as stereo 3D.
The company says that stereo imaging allows for better localization of tumors, treatment planning and cath lab procedures. The stereo images can be shown on a projector system, whereby more than one reviewer can interpret the same multi-modality image simultaneously.
Also waiting in the wings is Segami's Juniper scheduling software designed to help manage the workflow in medical imaging centers. The web-based scheduling and registration system manages patient appointments, imaging equipment, staff and other resources. A unique feature of the system is its ability to store pre- and post-processed images. Juniper is scheduled to be available in July.
Segami also will show its flagship product, the Mirage workstation, which is compatible with virtually all vendors' DICOM-compliant medical imaging equipment.
Siemens Medical Solutions comes to SNM 2004 with its biograph line of PET/CT systems. Key new features include HI-REZ, a high-resolution PET option designed to provide improvement in volumetric image resolution; the new Pico-3D option for ultra-fast detector electronics to improve image quality; and a six-slice CT biograph companion to existing two- and 16-slice configurations. In addition, the biograph will feature further integration into the Siemens multi-modality e.soft@Leonardo post-processing IT workplace.
Siemens also demonstrates its c.cam reclining dedicated cardiac gamma camera system, which features a small footprint and enhanced patient comfort. The c.cam's fully integrated software allows analysis of ejection fraction and wall motion.
Siemens also unveils new tools to broaden its nuclear medicine system capabilities and facilitate multi-modality integration. e.soft@Leonardo integrates the suite of nuclear medicine e.soft functionality in the Leonardo workstation. The syngo-based multi-modality workplace enables post-processing of images from nuclear medicine, CT, MR and x-ray systems, as well as images for radiation therapy planning. e.soft@Leonardo will offer more than 50 multi-modality applications, such as syngo FusedVision3D, LungCare CT and calcium scoring.
syngo FusedVision3D is a set of 3D visualization tools designed to improve clinical workflow for viewing and evaluating multimodality studies. The application offers special three-by-three layout for viewing of PET, CT and fused PET/CT images in one display. syngo FusedVision3D also features a volume rendering technique with predefined image settings.
Toshiba America Medical Systems is showing its t.cam variable-angle gamma camera, which is designed to combine system performance and patient-focused technology for both cardiology and oncology diagnosis.
The t.cam Variable uses dual detectors with 76 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree angulation for whole-body scanning, general-purpose applications and SPECT imaging. Using HD4 detector technology and e.soft 3.5 computing platform, the t.cam Variable is designed for quick patient set-up and collimator exchange, as well as faster access to results and high throughput for every acquisition type. e.soft express is a software-only technology for review of cardiac and non-cardiac cases, as well as support for both display and hard-copy review.
Cardinal Health brings to SNM 2004 its Clear-Pb lead-plastic x-ray shielding, a lead-impregnated plastic that contains 30 percent lead by weight. Clear-Pb modular barriers cut down on installation time and provide a safer alternative to ordinary lead glass. Available in modular control booths, windowpanes, overhead and mobile barriers, Cardinal announces at SNM that its most popular mobile barriers are now available in brand-new stainless steel frames.
The company also features its Victoreen Advanced Survey Meter (ASM) 900 series. Measuring radiation in half the time for a typical survey, the meter's time-saving features include instant infra-red data transfer to PCs, radio-nuclide specific readings, peak hold function, advanced data logging capabilities with user-defined protocols, time and date stamp, multiple probe use, optional bar code scanner, built-in scaler functions and information management software. The newest version to the 990 survey meter series is the ASM-993 (in addition to the 990 and 992), which contains an internal energy compensated 30 R/hr GM detector plus an internal pancake detector.
Numa Inc. is featuring the newest member to its NumaStore family of products - NumaStore DVD Image Management System, an image management and archiving system tailored to meet the needs of nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, PET and PET/CT departments. Providing safe, long-term storage for medical images, the system manages the flow of images throughout the nuclear medicine department and beyond.
Numa also highlights NumaList, a DICOM modality worklist manager. The tool adds or corrects DICOM modality worklist information in DICOM image files, enabling the correct patient demographic information to be added to the DICOM images with little or no user input.
Syntermed Inc. comes to SNM 2004 with its Emory Cardiac Toolbox and Nuclear Report Professional. The company also will be making a preliminary introduction of NeuroQ which provides quantification and analysis for neuroimaging technology and currently includes PET DP. Syntermed says PET DP was developed by Dan Silverman, MD, PhD, head of the Neuronuclear Imaging Section in UCLA's Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, and will be introduced as a quantification tool for quantifying FDG uptake in the brain allowing for the determination of normal versus abnormal brain function.
MedImage Inc. is highlighting a new feature to MedView, its display program intended for nuclear medicine, PET and PET/CT that runs on Mac or Windows. The new feature allows users to burn a complete patient study onto a DICOM CD, which contains the MedView application and images.