Carestream Reveals High-Quality, Low-Dose Imaging Options

CHICAGO - Improving image acquisition and image quality is the focus for Carestream Health this year.

At the 2019 annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, Carestream Health unveiled three innovations designed to improve how radiologists gather and interpret images - dual-energy technology, 3D digital tomosynthesis, and the Focus 35C Detector. These solutions can be retrofitted, but they must be paired with Image Suite Software.

Dual-Energy

In an effort to deliver high-quality images with optimal dose efficiency, Carestream introduced Dual-Energy Technology, a software tool that is powered by the company’s Eclipse image processing engine. It uses two filter materials to automatically switch between high- and low-energy exposures and is designed to focus on chest X-rays by separating bone from soft tissue on images. Doing so makes it easier for radiologists and clinicians to identify masses in the lung area. However, the software can also focus solely on bone.

Approved for use on the DRX-Evolution Plus System, the software allows for image capture at the same exposure rate of a regular X-ray.

According to company representatives, Dual-Energy Technology has received 510k clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), said Sarah Verna, Worldwide Marketing Manager for Global X-ray Solutions at Carestream. It is expected to be available in early 2020.

Digital Tomosynthesis

Also designed for the DRX-Evolution Plus System, Carestream presented its digital tomosynthesis (DT) tool, a three-dimensional extension of regular X-ray. During a single sweep of a body area, the DT tool takes several small, quick images that allow the radiologist to focus on singular areas, as well as get a deeper look into the patient’s anatomy. This tool can be used on any body part.

While CT scans can be expensive and time-consuming, DT is quicker and cheaper. CT-quality images can be captured with dose exposure similar to a regular X-ray. Even higher quality images can be secured with a slightly higher dose exposure.

FDA 510k clearance is currently pending for Carestream’s digital tomosynthesis.

Focus 35C Detector

The Focus 35C Detector is the newest addition to Carestream’s digital radiography (DR) detector family. Just like the company’s DRX-1 and DRX Plus detectors, the Focus 35C is a retro-fit solution that pairs with the Image Suite Software. It’s an option designed to meet the needs to practices looking to venture into - or improve - their wireless DR imaging on a budget.

“The Focus 35C Detector is our most economical detector,” Verna said. “It’s meant to serve the low-volume, smaller facilities, imaging clinics, and specialty practices.”

Most specifically, this detector is intended for use in facilities that conduct between 10-to-20 exams daily. Due to its price-point, practices looking to upgrade their reading rooms from analog to digital could bypass computed radiography and jump straight to DR.

In addition to specialty practices, the Focus 35C Detector also offers functionality for chiropractic, orthopedic, and even veterinary practices. Although it must be paired with the Image Suite Software, it does offer a mini-PACS solution that provides for scheduling, acquisition, reporting, and archiving.

The detector is expected to be available by the end of 2019.