Vendors unveil major product improvements

Computed radiography

Agfa introduced its new DX-S computed radiography system at October's JFR, the French national radiological congress. The company predicts that the system will set a future digital standard in CR by improving workflow in general radiography, pediatrics, and the emergency room.

See http://www.agfa.com/healthcare

Breast screening

Mammographie Zentrum Munster, one of the first German centers for mammography screening, has ordered a Sectra MicroDose sytem from Sectra. The center also has a training and education role for radiologists in the North-Rhine-Westfalia region.

See http://www.sectra.com

Cardiac CT

The number of worldwide installations of Somatom Sensation 64 systems is now more than 350, according to Siemens. It claims that over 80% of clinical research published to date on cardiac CT has involved the company's technology.

See http://www.siemens.com/medical

PACS in Rome

The Policlinico Umberto I University Hospital in Rome has awarded a five-year managed service contract to Ferrania LifeImaging. The agreement will include a system upgrade and a larger archive comprising LifeWeb Image Manager 2.0 with a three-server network and a 9-TB DVD jukebox. Seven LifeWeb RealViewer 3.0 and three 2x2MP CRT workstations, along with four 1X2MP CRT monitors, have been purchased.

See http://www.ferrania.com

Chest imaging

The FCR Velocity U is ideally suited for chest imaging and has advanced scanning and image processing capabilities, according to Fuji. Its features include HD Linescan technology.

See http://www.fujimed.com

Ultrasound units

The Megas CVX and Megas GPX ultrasound scanners from Esaote are designed for cardiovascular and general practice applications. They are intended for use in coronary care units, surgical rooms, stress-echo labs, neonatology departments, and other areas.

See http://www.esaote.com

Flat-panel display

Barco has received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its 1-MP flat-panel display for medical viewing. The MFGD 1218 is an 18-inch gray-scale flat-panel display with a 1280 x 1024 resolution. It can be combined with the vendor's high-speed Med Nio display controller.

See http://www.barco.com

CT scanners

Toshiba has supplied BMI Healthcare with five Aquilion 64-slice CT scanners as part of a Euro 14 million investment by the U.K. company.

See http://www.toshiba-europe.com/medical

New PACS orders

Among the hospitals signing a new RIS/PACS contract with Kodak are the Centre Chirurgical Val D'Or, Saint Cloud, France; Clinica Benidorm, Spain; Hegau Klinikum, Singen, Germany; Holly House Clinic, London; Katharinen-Hospital Unna, Hemer, Germany; Keski-Pohjanmaan Central Hospital, Kokkola, Finland; St. Josef Hospital, Berlin; St. Martin's College, University of Lancaster, U.K.; and Turku University Central Hospital, Finland.

See http://www.kodak.com/go/health

Neurointervention

Philips has unveiled a biplane flat-detector x-ray device for neurointerventional applications. The Allura Xper FD20/10 enables real-time reconstructions so that neurointerventionalists can create an instant 3D reconstruction of complex vasculature with a single rotational scan.

See http://www.philips.com/newscenter

Mobile DR

A mobile digital radiography system was deployed following the London bombings on 7 July to help the Association of Forensic Radiographers in the swift identification of victims. The DRagon incorporates a mobile x-ray unit and a 35 x 43-cm Canon portable direct digital detector plate.

See http://www.xograph.com

PET/CT facility

Alliance Medical and the University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust have opened the Birmingham PET Centre, a U.K. managed PET/CT service partnership. A GE Discovery ST system with eight-slice CT has been installed.

See http://www.alliancemedical.co.uk

Contrast study

Bracco and Toshiba Medical Systems are conducting a clinical trial to assess the viability of using 64-slice CT rather than cardiac catheterization as a primary diagnostic tool for detecting cardiovascular diseases and disorders. The multicenter study, named CorE 64 (coronary evaluation on 64), will focus on CT angiography.

See http://www.bracco.com

Contrast delivery

Tyco Healthcare's OptiVantage DH contrast delivery system can be used for dual-head injector CT protocols. With a change of the faceplate, the product can accommodate prefilled syringes.

See http://www.tycohealthcare.com

Image sensor

The S8981 intra-oral image sensor from Hamamatsu can be used more than 100,000 times and has a 20-lp/mm resolution.

See http://www.sales.hamamatsu.com

Digital radiography

Swissray International has installed four ddR Modulaire units in Princeton Orthopaedic Associates, New Jersey, U.S. The equipment will provide radiographic images in seconds at a lower cost than either conventional or computed radiography, according to the vendor.

See http://www.swissray.com

Breast imaging

The Regius Model 190 from Konica Minolta includes new functions, such as a faster read function for mammography, user definable hanging protocol, and PACS and viewing in one system.

See http://www.konicamedical.com

Ultrasound deal

Aloka has signed a European distribution agreement with Terason, which produces laptop ultrasound systems. Aloka will be the sole European distributor of Terason's t3000 model.

See http://www.aloka-europe.com

Radiopharmaceuticals

UK Radiopharma, a joint venture between Schering and IBA Pharma, has obtained planning and building approval for two FDG manufacturing facilities that will subsequently supply the licensed product Flucis.

See http://www.schering.co.uk

Open MRI

The Airis-II 0.3T MR system from Hitachi features a full open ganty with permanent magnet. Most advanced functions are available on the scanner, which has interventional applications.

See http://www.hitachi-medical-systems.com

Neurovascular MR

Medrad has announced the availability of the 1.5T HD neurovascular array coil for use with the GE Signa 1.5T Excite high-resolution MR scanner. The coil will be sold exclusively through GE Healthcare.

See http://www.medrad.com

Warranty offer

SonoSite is offering a five-year warranty to purchasers of its MicroMaxx system. The warranty applies to the scanner itself and transducers for most clinical applications.

See http://www.sonosite.com