Fuji takes its digital portfolio to the next level
Say “computed radiography” and the name Fujifilm is bound to come up among those in the know. The Japanese company invented CR, introducing this digital technology to U.S. customers 27 years ago. In the decade since flat-panel x-ray detectors were introduced, Fujifilm has been a stalwart advocate of the phosphor-based technology, successfully arguing its role as a costeffective way for U.S. radiography departments to go digital, even as the price of flat-panel systems has dropped. Now the company is set to meet any and all requests for digital radiography.
Last week FDA regulators cleared a solid-state detector designed by Fujifilm for sale in the U.S. The AcSelerate system, named for the selenium(Drug information on selenium) substrate in its detector, includes a fully automated table and upright system with automated positioning and four-second image cycle times that the company says will help imaging departments increase efficiency and maximize productivity. The direct image capture technology built into the amorphous selenium technology coupled with Fujifilm’s own image processing software support high-quality imaging at substantially reduced doses of radiation.
The AcSelerate system is already operating at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago, which served as a luminary site for early clinical testing. Future updates are expected to allow tomosynthesis and energy subtraction, pending FDA clearance possibly later this year, according to the company.
VisEn makes a play in fluorescent imaging
VisEn Medical is glowing. The company last week bought intellectual property from Bayer Schering Pharma covering some 45 patents for a wide range of fluorescent agents and imaging methods. All have potential applications in preclinical research and clinical molecular diagnostics. The acquisition broadens the company’s portfolio of fluorescent imaging technologies to more than 150 patents and patent applications worldwide. Included are key patents covering physiologic agents, bioconjugates and targeted fluorescence agents, and certain imaging agents for measurement of biomarker activity in living systems.
Varian readies to expand Chinese operations
Varian will strengthen its infrastructure in China with a new operation at its Beijing plant to assemble and service x-ray tubes. Varian said the expanded operations, now certified by Chinese regulators, are needed to serve a growing customer base of x-ray equipment manufacturers and service organizations. The Beijing facility also produces systems for treating cancer with radiotherapy and radiosurgery.
