FDA clears Elscint multislice CT scanner

Israeli medical imaging vendor Elscint has received 510(k) clearance for its version of a multislice CT scanner developed in partnership with Siemens Medical Systems of Iselin, NJ. The scanner is called Volumax CT Imaging System in Elscint’s 510(k) application, which was cleared on Sept. 2.

Volumax is based on the same technology used in Siemens’ Somatom Plus 4 Volume Zoom scanner, with some differences in components, according to an Elscint spokesperson. The system will probably be ready to ship in January.

Elscint and Siemens signed a CT technology development partnership in 1996 that culminated in the development of the Volume Zoom and Volumax scanners (SCAN 10/14/98). Each company has rights to sell its version of the technology under the terms of the deal. Picker International’s pending acquisition of Elscint’s CT division will probably give the Cleveland vendor rights to sell Volumax, according to the Elscint spokesperson.