Digital retrofit nears market

A plug-and-play converter that retrofits analog medical systems for digital imaging is being readied for February product launch by its developer Medicapture. The MediCapture USB100 uses a USB memory stick to transport digital images from legacy imaging systems, such as an analog ultrasound scanner, to a computer. Data are saved in raw pixel-by-pixel format so as to allow the user to fine-tune images; for example, changing to frame or field mode after the image has been captured. Images can be saved in JPG, BMP, PCX, or DCM format. MediCapture USB100 supports most Windows operating systems. The company is working on a Mac-compatible version. It is pitching the product to OEMs, but most of the interest is coming from dealers. One master distributor has been signed in the U.S. and another in Asia.