Photon-Counting Takes on MBIS and Tomosynthesis Products at RSNA 2011

Philips will highlight its newly released MicroDose Mammography System at RSNA 2011.

The Philips unit will go head to head at RSNA with other new entries in the mammography space including Hologic’s 3-D breast tomosynthesis product, Selenia® Dimensions (previewed at RSNA in 2010 and FDA approved in February 2011), whole breast ultrasound from U-Systems, Dilon’s 6800 MBI scanner, and GE’s Discovery MB750b, a molecular breast imaging system.

Philips’ system is the first in the US to use photon-counting technology, designed to improve clarity while reducing dose. Photon counting reduces the number of intermediate conversion steps needed to create a digital signal. Each conversion can reduce image quality. The MicroDose system delivers no ghost images and a 50 µm pixel size at 100 percent pixel accuracy, according to Kim Holttum, senior director of global marketing, Women’s Health Care, Philips Healthcare. The field of view is 24 by 26 cm.

Plus, the dose is about half that of full-field digital mammography (FFDM) systems, Holttum says.  Automatic exposure control (AEC) can adjust dose based on breast density.

The units also are fast. With no wait time between acquisitions, exams take only 4 minutes, making it possible to do 12 to 18 exams an hour, Holttum estimates. That’s good for patients, technologists, and the bottom line.