Siemens launches high-end echo system at ACC annual meeting

CV70 will battle EnVisor, Sonos 5500, and Vivid 7

Siemens Medical Solutions has begun marketing its high-performance Acuson CV70 cardiovascular ultrasound system. The product was introduced at the American College of Cardiology meeting, March 30-April 2, in Chicago, and routine shipments will begin by early August.

The company is positioning the dedicated cardiovascular system between its high-end Sequoia echocardiography and portable Cypress cardiovascular systems. The price will range from $75,000 to $120,000 in the U.S., depending on configuration, said John Davidson, director of worldwide marketing for cardiovascular ultrasound.

"The focus right now is on cardiac and vascular," he said. "But it's a flexible system. It can be used for vascular, fetal echocardiography, and transcranial work."

Siemens migrated technology from other products to the CV70. Borrowed advances include color flow sensitivity, DIMAQ image management, and MP Micro Pinless Transducer Connector technology, which were transferred from the flagship Sequoia system. The pinless connector technology enables use of some 2500 transesophageal transducers, Davidson said.

Other key features, some of which still require FDA clearance, include spectral Doppler tissue imaging with quantification, a digital stress echo package, multiple frequency imaging, tissue harmonic imaging, and edge-assisted ejection fraction calculation, which the company believes will facilitate faster cardiac studies.

As marketing begins, the CV70 is being matched against the Philips EnVisor and Sonos 5500, as well as the GE Vivid 7, echocardiography systems. Davidson believes the CV70, which the company plans to sell directly, has the edge. The reason is high-end performance and unique features packed into a midrange system. No other console system has a more compact user interface or offers a retractable keyboard, he said. The system's footprint is among the smallest, with a width diameter of only 20 inches. It also boasts a four-wheel swivel design with individually locking casters.

"The CV70 is highly mobile, with prominent pivot handles," Davidson said. "There are handles at the rear that are easily reachable and allow the user to pivot the entire footprint."

The system was designed for ease of use in keeping with the trend in developing ergonomic systems. The CV70 demonstrates flexibility not only in use and applications, but in marketability.

"This product was designed to be a worldwide system," Davidson said. "We've consistently had requests for a cardiovascular system with greater suitability and fit for the majority of the worldwide market. That's this product."

Siemens is touting the CV70 as appropriate for all vascular and echocardiography labs, as well as operating rooms. Marketing will be geared toward hospitals, clinics, and private physician offices. Davidson said the company chose to introduce the system during the ACC meeting as a showcase for the product's most advanced capabilities.

"Those attending could see the system perform, have a price quoted, then have it delivered within the following quarter," he said. "We're pretty confident about this product. It's very robust, and it's ready to go."