Hologic expands Acclaim DEXA series

Bone densitometry firm Hologic will showcase the expansion ofits QDR-4500 Acclaim line of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometryscanners, which debuted at last year's RSNA meeting with the introductionof the QDR-4500A system.

Hologic, of Waltham, MA, has added three new DEXA scanners tothe line, to be positioned at price points below the flagshipQDR-4500A. QDR-4500C is for spine and hip scanning, QDR-4500Wis targeted at spine, hip and total body work, and QDR-4500SLis for spine, hip and lateral scanning, according to Joel Weinstein,vice president of business development and marketing. Any of thenew scanners can be upgraded to the QDR-4500A.

Hologic will also show a new ultrasound bone densitometry productcalled Sahara. Sahara is based on technology Hologic acquiredwhen it bought WalkerSonix earlier this year. Sahara differs fromthe WalkerSonix devices and other ultrasound densitometers onthe market in that it does not require a water bath for bone scanning,Weinstein said.

Hologic this month reported strong financial results for its1995 fiscal year due to increased interest in bone densitometry.The company saw revenues increase 13% to $43.4 million while netincome stood at $1.9 million, a drop of 38% caused by legal costsassociated with its patent litigation with Lunar. The financialresults prompted the company's stock to surge 13% on Nov. 8 to$29.75 a share.