Bruel & Kjaer, a leading supplier of urological ultrasound systems, is readying an entry into the high-end radiology market. The Danish firm applied for Food and Drug Administration approval of its model 3535 scanner in the fall and expects to start up sales this summer, said Ralph Winters, radiology marketing manager for B&K's U.S. subsidiary. The scanner will have a simultaneous release in international markets, he said.
The 3535, while possessing a full array of gray-scale, Doppler and color-flow capabilities, is a compact unit weighing less than 300 lbs. It has been under development since 1984. Leveraging its experience in international markets where doctors seek more user-friendly equipment, B&K has built a number of features into the scanner for ease of operation.
"Outside of the U.S., more physicians scan, rather than employing a sonographer to scan and then interpreting their films. The equipment requirements and imaging in general are different from when the physician is the primary user of the instrument," Winters said.
European and Asian physicians demand an instrument that is easier to use, while users in the U.S. want image quality first, he said.
"We have maintained a high level of image quality and all the other features (of a high-end radiology ultrasound system) but have brought the machine down to half the size," he said.
There is no keyboard or track ball on the 3500. The scanner operates with a simpler touch-screen system. An infrared remote device is used to control the Doppler, color-flow and B scanning. The operator can run the scanner camera and freeze frames directly from the ultrasound probe. When a probe is picked up and pressed, the system recognizes it and initiates scanning, Winters said.
B&K uses surface-mount technology to build its circuit boards, which increases the durability of the system. Because of its small size and durability, the 3535 should find applications as a mobile ultrasound scanner as well as a fixed hospital-based unit, he said.
The company has begun hiring sales and applications personnel for its approach to the U.S. radiology market. B&K, based in Marlborough, MA, already has an extensive service network in place for its urology business.
The urology ultrasound market in the U.S. is smaller than that of radiology but it is experiencing growth as well. Increased demand for urological scanners has been spurred by growth in biopsy work, (radiation therapy) seed implantations and colorectal evaluations using ultrasound, Winters said.
