Ultrasound: A Sound Investment
More features and functions on a multitude of models - at a variety of price points - is the recurring theme for ultrasound at RSNA 2003.SonoSite Inc. (booth #3944), developer of the hand-carried ultrasound device, is showcasing its full line of patient imaging products, including its new release - the Titan mobile ultrasound system. Based on SonoSite's Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) chip technology, the Titan is designed to capture high-resolution, diagnostic-quality images and store and retrieve those images wherever and whenever they are needed. SonoSite says Titan is compact, upgradeable and highly resistant to failure.
Features include color power Doppler, pulsed wave Doppler, tissue harmonic imaging, SiteLink DICOM and on-board DICOM, as well as a triple transducer connect, which affords the user the ability to switch between transducers in less than six seconds.
Philips Medical Systems (booth #1352) comes to RSNA 2003 with new configurations and features for its EnVisor. The additions include QuickScan intelligent features, three new transducers, on-line OB trending and more international languages.
QuickScan intelligent image optimization with iScan and High Q automatic Doppler waveform analysis is designed to provide more consistent image results between users and reduce keystrokes for improved productivity. Three new transducers
for small parts and vascular, radiology and ob/gyn, and cardiology expand EnVisor's clinical utility in the shared service environment.
Philips' Live 3D (also known as 4D) is bolstered with double the rendering speed, a streamlined user interface, enhanced resolution and 3D color Doppler. Live 3D also targets the ob/gyn physician and patient with twice the 3D cineloop memory for longer image captures and trending of fetal development.
Siemens Medical Solutions' Ultrasound Division (booth #1740) demonstrates new capabilities for its Acuson Sequoia ultrasound system, in particular its Matched Response Technology, which utilizes Native Patient Specific Imaging to detect, measure and adapt to a patient's individual acoustic properties in real-time. The technique allows clinicians to optimize imaging and Doppler performance for all patients, while streamlining workflow throughout the entire exam.
Siemens is offering expanded clinical applications for the Sonoline Antares ultrasound system with a new transducer and acoustic technologies. The company also will showcase clinical examples of its fourSight 4D imaging technology.
Toshiba America Medical Systems (booths #1551 & #7749) leads with its Nemio and Aplio ultrasound systems. Each product line has a variety of configurations and options.
Nemio 10, Nemio 20 and Nemio 30 offer escalating price points from $28,000 to $130,000, depending on features, such as multi-frequency transducer technology, multi-frequency tissue harmonic imaging, directional colorangio, panoramic view and advanced DICOM.
TAMS' Aplio is the premium ultrasound product line with features such as intelligent component architecture, advanced dynamic flow and the company's ApliPure for spatial frequency compound imaging. Aplio systems range in price from $165,000 to $225,000.
GE Medical Systems (booth #4500) plans to show VoiceScan technology on its Logiq 9 ultrasound scanner. The voice-activated feature will allow physicians and sonographers to control system functions by voice command alone.
Healthcare professionals would use a wireless headset to activate VoiceScan, interact with the Logiq 9 scanner and direct the system to perform more than 150 actions.
GEMS says VoiceScan will act as a "third hand" and be particularly helpful in performing venous augmentation in the lower extremities, scanning large or difficult patients, and for portable exams in CCU or the neonatal nursery.