FDA clears Shimadzu hybrid CT

Shimadzu Medical Systems has highhopes for its new SCT-4800 line of CT scanners. The vendor hasalready sold 10 systems in the U.S. since the Food and Drug Administrationcleared the line in July. Shimadzu is targeting sales of 40 systemsin the U.S. and 400 worldwide by March 1995, according to DonKarle, marketing manager of CT and MRI for the Torrance, CA-basedvendor.

Shimadzu unveiled the SCT-4800 series at last year's RadiologicalSociety of North America conference (SCAN 11/17/94). The seriesincludes SCT-4800TF, a higher end scanner, and SCT-4800TE. Bothsystems are non-spiral scanners and list below $500,000.

The 4800 line is unique in that its x-ray generator can powerboth the CT scanner and a radiographic room. This is an addedplus in developing countries such as those in southeast Asia,according to Karle. The scanners are marketed outside the U.S.as Intellect FXT and Intellect EXT.

In other Shimadzu news, MRI director Mark Silverman has leftthe company. Silverman was brought on in an attempt to jump-startShimadzu's MRI effort (SCAN 7/28/93). Shimadzu decided to scaleback its MRI sales program earlier this year, and Silverman waslet go as part of that restructuring (SCAN 7/13/94). Karle willassume Silverman's responsibilities.