Siemens installs experimental FFDM

The first prototype of Siemens' new full-field digital mammography system has been installed at the University of California, Los Angeles, Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging. The experimental system, called Mammomat NovationDR, is built around an amorphous selenium detector, which directly converts x-rays to digital signals. The 25 x 29-cm detector is large enough to image most breasts, according to the company. In clinical studies at the breast center, diagnostic content and image quality of digital images obtained using the NovationDR will be compared with those of analog images obtained with the same level of radiation exposure. Siemens expects to commercially release the new digital system outside the U.S. by the end of 2003. A U.S. launch will depend on FDA approval.