Siemens debuts high-end ultrasound scanner

Siemens Medical Systems’ Ultrasound Group filled a gap in its Sonoline ultrasound family with the 1999 RSNA introduction of Omnia, a high-end multispecialty imaging system. Omnia, which includes several advanced technology features found on Siemens’ flagship Elegra scanner, will have a price range of $95,000 to $130,000. The Issaquah, WA-based firm has not previously offered a system at that price point.

Available on all of Omnia’s transducers is black and white SieScape panoramic imaging. Also included is Ensemble Tissue Harmonic Imaging, which is designed to enhance gray-scale contrast resolution, especially in difficult-to-scan patients, according to the company.

Omnia shares the same architecture as the Elegra scanner, including Siemens’ Crescendo multidimensional image processor. This allows for easy integration of further advanced technology into Omnia in the future, according to Wolfgang Reim, president of Siemens Ultrasound.

Siemens believes Omnia is appropriate for general imaging, shared service cardiology, obstetrics/gynecology, small parts, vascular, pediatrics, urology, and surgical applications. It supports 22 transducers, including such specialty transducers as the high-frequency VF13-5 for breast and musculoskeletal applications. Mechanical and electronic endocavity transducers and a new broadband P4-2 phased-array for cardiac, abdominal, and transcranial imaging are part of the system. C8-5, a neonatal transducer, is designed for use inside isolettes where maneuvering is extremely difficult. The transducer performs such neonatal and pediatric exams as cranial, abdominal, and preliminary cardiac screening.

An internal magneto-optical disk drive provides storage and fast image retrieval for mobile exams. Volume shipments of Omnia are set to begin in February.