New CT scanner powers Picker exhibit

A new CT scanner with dramatically increased computer horsepowerwill take center stage at Picker International's booth. The Clevelandvendor will display PQ 6000, a new platform optimized for CT angiographystudies (SCAN 7/31/96). The new system uses hardware similar toPicker's PQ 5000 line, but has increased computer horsepower tohandle the massive amounts of data collected during CT angio procedures,according to John Barni, vice president and general manager ofPicker's CT division.

PQ 6000 uses an advanced computer architecture called largearray parallel processors (LAPP), which are optimized for full-speedimage acquisition and reconstruction as well as image visualization.Both functions can be performed simultaneously on one console,Barni said.

Since unveiling the system in June, Picker has replaced thescanner's Sun Microsystems Sparc 2 chip with a faster UltraSparc.Picker will also display EpiTools II, a work-in-progress packagethat improves system ergonomics to enable users to explore interventionalCT techniques.

In the realm of magnetic source imaging, Picker has received510(k) clearance for its Neuromag-122 scanner. At its RSNA booth,the vendor will display its work in integrating Neuromag-122 withits Outlook open MRI scanner and ViewPoint image-guided surgeryworkstation.

In nuclear medicine, Picker will demonstrate its PositronCoincidence Detection (PCD) high-energy imaging technique, whichreceived 510(k) clearance in September (SCAN 10/9/96). Pickerhas installed the first PCD clinical evaluation unit at HillcrestHospital in Mayfield Heights, OH, and will show images from thatunit in comparison to PET scans, according to Josh Gurewitz, marketingmanager. Picker plans to begin commercial shipments in February,Gurewitz said.

Picker will also display its Simultaneous Transmission-EmissionProtocol (STEP) for the Prism 2000 XP opposing-angle dual-headcamera. The vendor will show STEP-corrected scans for oncologyapplications in addition to cardiology. Picker will also unveilits new Odyssey FX computer platform for the first time at a U.S.meeting, Gurewitz said.

On the equipment service front, look for Picker to discussits new alliance with MedEcon, the third largest group purchasingorganization in the U.S. Under the deal, Picker Technology Servicesbecomes the exclusive multivendor service provider for medicalimaging, biomedical, and patient monitoring equipment, as wellas the supplier for imaging equipment used by MedEcon members.