Siemens unveils work-in-progress zeego

Siemens unveils work-in-progress zeego

Siemens Healthcare will unveil a new version of its Artis zeego interventional x-ray system March 29 at the American College of Cardiology meeting in Orlando, FL. The work-in-progress, which is pending FDA clearance, features a small detector designed to boost efficiency and precision. Its 56-inch color screen can be programmed to display the next workflow step directly at the tableside, allowing 12 different screen combinations.

Infinitt readies new PACS for ACC

An enterprise-wide image management system for cardiology will debut in the Infinitt North America booth March 29 during ACC 2009. The web-based Infinitt Cardiology PACS features a user-friendly interface, optimized for cardiology. Smart clients support cine CT and provide measurement tools for cardiac cath, echo, noninvasive vascular, ECG, and volumetric CT images. Dual monitors allow side-by-side comparison of images, as well as viewing of images along with the report and thumbnail images that can be enlarged to full screen. Reporting functions include a Cardiac Cath Report Template displaying a coronary tree, Echo Report Template, Non-Invasive Vascular Report Template, Echo Wall Motion Scoring, and a report customization tool with electronic signature, eliminating dictation and transcription.

Abbott's bioabsorbable stent advances

The next phase of the ABSORB clinical trial to evaluate Abbott's fully bioabsorbable drug-eluting coronary stent has begun. This second phase, designed to enroll approximately 80 patients at 10 centers in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, will incorporate device enhancements designed to improve deliverability and vessel support. The experimental stent represents the latest generation of interventional cardiology technology, which began more than two decades ago with bare metal stents. Results from the first stage of the trial with 30 patients demonstrated that the bioabsorbable everolimus-eluting stent successfully treated coronary artery disease. At two years, the treated vessel was able to expand and contract without being restricted by a permanent implant, indicating that the device was absorbed. Of the 30 patients, none has yet experienced thrombosis.