FDA clears Fuji DRC algorithm

The Food and Drug Administration has granted regulatory clearanceto Fuji Medical Systems for its dynamic range control (DRC) algorithm,which improves the performance of the company's computed radiographysystems. Fuji unveiled DRC at the 1993 Radiological Society ofNorth America meeting (SCAN 2/2/94).

DRC enables physicians to improve the resolution of bone orsoft tissue on CR images, according to the company. DRC uses alocally adaptive histogram equalization algorithm to improve visualizationof dense structures and soft tissue. Since debuting DRC at the1993 meeting, Fuji has improved the technology to allow bettervisualization of both bone and soft tissue on the same image.The earlier version of DRC was not able to enhance both typesof structures at the same time.

The FDA clearance allows Fuji, of Stamford, CT, to offer DRCto its installed base of AC-1, AC-2 and FCR 7501 CR readers. Fujiis still awaiting the agency's word on DRC for its next-generationreaders, which include AC-3, FCR 9000 and FCR 9501.