Digital X-ray is Vision and Reality
At RSNA 2007, vendors are offering the best features from DR and CR to help users get the most bang for their buck, whether those users are large medical centers or small physician practices. Vendors know that space, time and budgets are all being squeezed—so look for more compact, affordable equipment that offers flexible positioning, speedier throughput and further improvements in image quality. User-friendly software, touchscreens and preview technology are just some of the features designed to let technologists get their job done while staying with the patient as much as possible.
Agfa HealthCare (Booth 4106) is showcasing its CR systems—the desktop CR 30-X and compact CR 35-X. Agfa HealthCare’s advanced DX-S solution is a CR system with image quality, speed and flexibility that offers increased image quality and potential for dose reduction through DirectriX needle-based detector technology.
Canon Medical Systems (Booth 3311) is showcasing its full line of DR sensors integrated with a wide range of x-ray systems. The Canon CXDI-50G DR system is lightweight and has a large imaging area (14-inch by 17-inch). Canon also is showing a Field Deployable Digital Radiography System (FDDRS) integrated with Canon’s CXDI-50G, and the RadPro Overhead Tube integrated with Canon’s full-size CXDI-40EG detector.
The Canon CXDI-40EG General DR system provides a 17-by-17-inch imaging area, and lets users capture desired anatomical views for both large and small format x-rays.
Carestream Health (Booth 2513) is debuting the Kodak Directview Classic and Elite CR systems. These compact, floor-standing, single-cassette CR systems can help improve workflow, productivity and patient throughput. The systems offer a modular design, are significantly smaller than other Directview single-cassette systems and incorporate the latest generation of CR software from Carestream.
The company also is showing its newest DR platform, the Kodak Directview DR 9500 that has a ceiling-mounted U-arm that contains both a tube and detector to deliver unprecedented mobility and operational flexibility.
CMT Medical Technologies (Booth 1917) is presenting advanced features for its SmartRAD DR and SmartSPOT PrimaX systems. The patent-pending work-in-progress DuoRAD enables acquisition of dual-energy images in a single x-ray exposure by using a combined DR-CR unique technique.
CMT also is showing a new, work-in-progress system based on dynamic FPD—the SmartSPOT PrimaX FPD-43. This digital R/F and angiography imaging solution is based on the state-of-the-art Pixium 4343 Flat Panel Detector by Trixell. The SmartSPOT PrimaX FPD-43 is equipped with a user-friendly graphic user interface and capable of performing all clinical R/F and DSA procedures. The system’s basic capabilities include patient registration, image acquisition, archiving, viewing, post processing and DICOM 3.0 connectivity.
Fluke Biomedical (Booth 6927) is unveiling a new x-ray maintenance, calibration and quality assurance tool for service and radiation management professionals. This compact, wireless device features simultaneous all-in-one exposure measurement, including HVL, and choice of custom readout device or laptop/PDA communication with dedicated Zigbee interface for fast and secure results display and archiving.
Fujifilm Medical Systems USA (Booth 1129) is highlighting the new Unity SpeedSuite, a work-in-progress U-Arm DR system designed with motorized, multi-position single detector flexibility. The Unity DR system includes Fujifilm’s intuitive IIP workstation that offers image processing tools and delivers very high patient throughput.
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| GE Healthcare: Definium 8000 DR system |
GE Healthcare (Booth 1729) is showcasing the Definium 8000, which offers full DICOM 3.0 connectivity, and a user interface for the new auto-positioning overhead tube suspension that includes a touchscreen user interface, motorized 5-axis movements, and 90-degree rotating screen.
Auto Image Paste is a new method of acquiring and processing images of anatomies that would not fit in the span of a traditional detector. Up to five image acquisitions can be acquired, with the system automatically moving between acquisitions. Volume RAD provides physicians with multiple high-resolution slice images of the human anatomy.
These applications complement GE’s exclusive Dual Energy Subtraction, an advanced clinical technique that eliminates bone or soft-tissue obstruction from chest or abdominal images.
GE also is showing the Definium 5000, a U-arm-based DR system that incorporates GE’s digital flat-panel detector technology along with the U-arm that can fit into smaller rooms without the need of ceiling support structures for x-ray tube suspensions.
iCRco (Booth 4754) is demonstrating its True Flat Scan Path technology for a new line of CR systems—iDR. This scanning technique enables very fast scanning and erasing of CR cassettes in one step. The iDR system is a sealed scanning DR system that generates high-resolution and superior quality images, fully processed and delivered to a review station in 30 seconds.
IDC (Imaging Dynamics Company) (Booth 4729) is introducing its X-Series DR technology. The new X-Series CCD-based imaging detectors: X3G, X3C, and X4C represent digital alternatives to traditional film-based x-ray for any size of facility.
The new technology provides higher sensitivity and amplified dynamic range; anti-blooming for better image quality, reduced distortion and very low noise; lateral overflow drain to eliminate saturation artifacts; enhanced soft-tissue imaging without compromising bone detail; and significant increase in imaging performance.
The IDC X-Series, with low dose, high image quality and affordability, is designed to help facilitate a move to digital x-ray. Offerings like these have led the company to achieve over 600 percent growth globally in the past three years.
Konica Minolta Medical Imaging (Booth 2554) is introducing the Regius Nano CR, a single-bay CR system engineered to make DR more affordable in low procedure volume facilities and ancillary departments. The Regius Nano CR is available in two models. Nano CR-The Enterprise Solution utilizes the same easy-to-use interface as Konica Minolta’s flagship Xpress CR to provide sophisticated software tools for superior image quality and customization while requiring fewer steps to complete the exam. Nano CR-The Clinic Solution uses the same intelligent and automated software as the IQue CR, resulting in minimized user training requirements in addition to delivering consistently high-quality images.
Konica Minolta also is showcasing its Regius 370 Upright DR, which features the most advanced phosphor detector available, Cesium Bromide (CsBR), to produce a high level of detective quantum efficiency (DQE) comparable to flat-panel DR systems.
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| Philips: Eleva Experience intuitive user interface |
Philips Medical Systems (Booth 4129) is showcasing the Eleva Experience, a standardized, intuitive user interface. Philips also is showing its wireless flat-panel detector for instant image display on Eleva workspots.
The Practix Convenio DR, Philips’ wireless, digital, portable x-ray device, allows for complete workflow at Convenio’s Eleva workspot (HIS/RIS connectivity) from patient request to image archiving.
The DRF room solution combines high-quality DR and fluoroscopy and uses Philips’ UNIQUE image processing and DoseWise concept.
Quantum Medical Imaging (Booth 4771) is showcasing DiRex, a complete digital imaging solution. Quantum, in partnership with Agfa HealthCare, designed the DiRex system to use a specially configured Agfa DX-S CR system and Quantum radiographic system, integrated into a single room digital imaging solution.
Quantum also is highlighting its new QV-9000 Digital Universal Radiographic System, which offers fully motorized C-arm positioning.
Also on display is the latest feature of TechVision—complete two-way generator integration and image preview.
Quantum also is demonstrating the tabletop CR30-SP+ and upright CR35-SP+ which both include MUSICA2 Image Processing Software from Agfa.
Radlink (Booth 4711) is introducing three distinct CR Pro machines that follow its CR Pro that uses sealed fiber-optic laser technology. The CR Pro 2100 is Radlink’s core CR product, based on a proprietary “sealed fiber optics” design that maximizes transfer efficiency in private physician offices where low-power x-ray equipment is common. The CR Pro 2200 is designed for multiple physician practices where all digital images must be stored in a secure, HIPAA-compliant database for future access. The CR Pro 2200 bundles a robust PACS with up to 10 Terabytes of secure storage.
RTI Electronics (Booth 4125) is highlighting new features of its x-ray multimeter Piranha, including a light detector and mAs probes. The Piranha measures kV, time, dose, dose rate, dose/pulse, pulse rate, HVL, and total filtration. The new detectors add capability to measure mA, mAs, lx and cd/m2.
Siemens Medical Solutions (Booth 7713) is showcasing image quality and workflow enhancements for the Axiom Artis interventional angiography systems. Siemens also is highlighting the 3D cross-sectional imaging application, syngo DynaCT, which allows soft-tissue imaging in the angiography suite and virtually eliminates the need to transfer patients to other modalities for follow-up procedures, Siemens says.
The company’s special systems division is highlighting enhancements to the Arcadis line of C-arms, including an improved and ergonomic trolley that facilitates maneuverability and reduces space requirements.
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| Swissray: ddRCompact DR system |
Swissray International (Booth 7162) is unveiling a new dual-detector DR line of products incorporating portable x-ray detector technology for greater positioning flexibility and advanced applications.
Swissray is showcasing its ddRCompact, which incorporates the new digital High Definition Silicon Solid State detector with Micro Lens Technology, delivering outstanding spatial resolution at low radiation dose. The new ddRCompact Series comes with Automated Positioning System for automated positioning and image acquisition requirements.
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| Toshiba: Kalare DR system |
Toshiba America Medical Systems (Booth 7130) is displaying its DR system offerings, including the T.Rad-Plus Digital and Kalare systems. Designed for maximum productivity, the T.Rad universal C-arm design facilitates shorter exam times and greater diagnostic confidence. The Kalare R&F system incorporates a portable DR panel, creating a 100 percent filmless system allowing a single system to work like two.
Toshiba is introducing its low contrast imaging feature as a work in progress that will be available on all of Toshiba’s Infinix products. This new feature will allow soft-tissue imaging in the angio suite and the technique will improve CT-like imaging at the point of treatment.
Toshiba also is showcasing the Infinix VF-i/BP, its biplane x-ray system that combines a versatile multi-axis floor mounted positioner and a ceiling suspended omega C-arm featuring variable iso-center.
Unfors Instruments (Booth 2109) is unveiling a new edition of its Unfors Xi system for multi-parameter measurements of all imaging modalities. The new Unfors Xi Platinum edition includes improved features such as longer waveform memory and the addition of a survey detector for measurements of leakage and scatter radiation.
Varian Medical Systems (Booth 1358) is introducing two new PaxScan products—the PaxScan 4336R and the PaxScan 4343R. Both panels incorporate identical detector arrays and readout electronics. They come bundled with Viva software and sample code to ease the design of detector set-up and calibration, image acquisition, and image optimization.