Varian to start shipping LAST units

Varian Associates of Palo Alto, CA, plans to begin commercial shipments in June of its VIP-9-QR/1 digital fluoroscopy detector, which is based on the company's Large Area Sensing Technology (LAST) amorphous silicon digital detector. The company's Varian Imaging Products subsidiary is supplying the detectors to OEMs for incorporation into complete fluoroscopy systems.

The VIP-9 detector is designed to replace image intensifier tubes in fluoroscopy systems. Image intensifiers are bulky and weigh up to 100 lb, which compares with a weight of about 15 lb for the Varian receptors. Picker International, for example, is using a Varian detector in its Venue interventional CT/x-ray suite to create more room for healthcare personnel working near patients (see story, page 3). In addition to fluoroscopy, VIP-9 supports digital radiography, and can also be used for nonmedical applications, such as nondestructive testing.

The VIP-9 detectors have not yet been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration and thus are limited to investigational use in medical applications. Varian will sell the detectors to OEMs at a list price of $98,000.