Mercury creates 3D processor

New extensions to Mercury Computer's RACE family of high-performance embedded computer systems promise to achieve record speeds in processing high-resolution 3D medical diagnostic images. The technology, unveiled at the International Society for Optical Engineering Symposium on Medical Imaging in San Diego Feb. 23 to 28, can complete the cone-beam reconstruction of a 512 x 512 x 512 CT image in 15.5 seconds, which is 20 to 40 times faster than the five to 10 minutes typically required when using conventional computing platforms, according to the company. Integrated into the next design cycle of medical imaging systems, the subsystem design could dramatically improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis in time-critical situations.