Big three lead the way in R/F and angiography offerings

The major vendors ratcheted things up a notch in the radiography and fluoroscopy (R/F) arena, focusing on total interventional solutions and specific enhancements, including improved dose control, during the 2004 RSNA scientific meeting.

GE Healthcare launched its Interventional Suite, featuring the OEC 9800 MD digital motorized mobile imaging system. The system includes ceiling-supported monitors, four-way floating imaging tables, and contrast injectors.

Siemens Medical Solutions received 510(k) clearance for DynaCT, an enhancement for its C-arm angiography systems that allows soft-tissue imaging. The upgrade is touted as the first application that enables angiographic CT.

On the general-purpose R/F side, Philips' EasyDiagnost Eleva was shown with CR integration, enabling customers to fully digitize their R/F suites.

GE Healthcare

GE Healthcare provides medical technologies designed to improve patient care, with expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, and patient monitoring systems to detect disease early and tailor treatment to individual patients.

• Interventional Suite includes the OEC 9800 MD motorized C-arm, which rivals the image quality of fixed systems, according to the company. The suite allows various procedures, including coronary diagnostics and coronary angioplasty/stenting.

• Enhancements to the Innova 4100 and 3100 cardiovascular and interventional imaging systems were shown. The systems incorporate the automated imaging technique InnovaBreeze and use GE's digital flat-panel detector technology for better visualization. They enable x-ray dose savings and the precision placement of interventional devices, such as stents and balloons.

• Precision Rxi is the remote version of GE's R/F product family. The system is built to meet a wide range of applications. Capabilities include high-resolution images with low image noise.

Infimed

The company has a 20-year history of developing digital medical imaging solutions. This year, Infimed introduced a new series of cardiology products based on its PlatinumOne in-room digital acquisition platform designed to support complex interventional procedures.

• The newest members of Infimed's cardiology portfolio are the PlatinumOne Cardiac, PlatinumOne ComboLab, and PlatinumOne EP. Developed to accommodate cardiac cine and fluoroscopic imaging, the systems offer fast acquisition times and advanced image processing features.

Philips Medical Systems

Philips competes with GE and Siemens for market leadership in various areas of medical diagnostic imaging.

• Allura Xper FD20 is a flat-detector system for general, neuro, and cardiovascular applications. The FD20 provides 2k x 2k imaging - up to four times the resolution of conventional angiography systems. Features include an algorithm that performs 350 million calculations per frame.

• 2D/3D Roadmapping is a work-in-progress software enhancement that enables manipulation of a catheter inside an image in real-time.

• Xper CT, also a work-in-progress, enables the capture of CT images in the angio room without requiring a CT system.

• EasyDiagnost Eleva is a conventional R/F system that performs a wide range of applications. It delivers high image quality with minimal dosage.

Siemens Medical Solutions

Siemens is an imaging leader with a reputation for consistency. Its solutions range from imaging systems and therapy equipment to electromedical and instruments.

• DynaCT, an enhancement of the company's rotational angiography technology, allows soft-tissue imaging in the angiography suite. Available on Axiom Artis dFA, dTA, and dBA systems, DynaCT is designed to reduce or eliminate patient transfers to clarify soft-tissue pathologies. Benefits include stroke and tumor assessment as part of interventional procedures.

• Arcadis Orbic 3D, a mobile C-arm with intraoperative 3D imaging capabilities, delivers 3D images in the operating room. Featuring an isocentric design and 190° orbital movement, Orbic 3D is suited for intraoperative 3D imaging of bones and joints of the upper and lower extremities; cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine; pelvis and hip; and maxillofacial areas.

Thales Electron Devices

Thales designs and manufactures CCD cameras for radiological applications.

• The Pixium 4700 flat-panel detector was designed to optimize patient access and body coverage. With 5 million pixels sized at 154 microns, this latest member of the Pixium family is designed specifically for fluoroscopy. The detector acquires data at up to 60 frames per second.

Toshiba America Medical Systems

Toshiba markets, sells, distributes, and services diagnostic imaging systems, while coordinating clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the U.S. The company is a global provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, x-ray, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and MRI systems.

• Kalare, an image-intensifier, CCD-based system, supports R/F and interventional radiography. When coupled with the EPS-Plus digital fluorography unit, the system can perform abdominal and peripheral angiography studies. Kalare requires minimal dosing without compromising image quality.

• Infinix-i series with 3D imaging was paired with the Vitrea workstation. The system is built around a new architecture based on dual PC processors and a digital network communications platform. It features an image intensifier, CCD camera, and dose control options. Infinix-i is designed to be upgradable to a flat-panel detector. The workstation enables 3D visualization.