Aloka enhances harmonic imaging with launch of SSD-5500 PureHD

New system suitable for cardiac, general, ob/gyn imaging

Japanese ultrasound firm Aloka has added to its product portfolio with the European introduction of SSD-5500 PureHD, a system highlighted by harmonic imaging improvements to the firm’s SSD-5500 platform. New probes have been added to provide what the company calls Hemispheric Sound Technologies.

The HST probes optimize the ultrasound beam to obtain artifact-free images, according to the firm. Using the hemispheric sound source, Aloka has developed a transducer that produces a more uniform beam.

“You get a better beam shape, which improves your signal-to-noise ratio and enhances your image quality,” said Lee Oppegaard, a spokesperson for Aloka, which maintains U.S. offices in Wallingford, CT.

In addition to new transducers, Aloka has added harmonic detection features that confer high contrast and spatial resolution. The system’s high speed, fully digital multiprocessor achieves high temporal resolution with more than 400 frames per second, according to the firm.

A cardiac package available on the system provides tools to quantitatively diagnose cardiac wall motion, including Automatic Segmental Motion Analysis, Tissue Doppler Image Measurements, and Real-Time Free Angular M-Mode.

With Automatic Segmental Motion Analysis, the contour and the center of gravity point of the left ventricle cavity are automatically detected and the fractional area changes are displayed as a histogram or graph. Quantitative measurements have been added to the firm’s Tissue Doppler image capability, while Real-Time Free Angular M-Mode allows users to put up to three M-mode cursors in any place and at any angle of the B-mode image. This allows users to receive all M-mode traces simultaneously in real-time, according to Aloka.

Aloka’s Quint Frequency feature allows users to select up to five different transmission frequencies directly from the console. In addition, SSD-5500 PureHD offers the ability to select from four different frequencies the most appropriate sensitivity and resolution adjustments for a given patient.

Although the system was announced at the European Society of Cardiology annual congress last month in Barcelona, Spain, Aloka expects that the system will also be utilized in general imaging and ob/gyn applications. Clinical testing of SSD-5500 PureHD was conducted at several sites in Japan and Europe.

Available now only in Europe, Aloka has filed a 510(k) application with the Food and Drug Administration for SSD-5500 PureHD. The firm declined to speculate on when it might receive U.S. clearance. SSD-5500 will range in price from $150,000 to $200,000.