A Diagnostics & Imaging Week

More than 700 exhibitors are once again displaying the latest in imaging technology at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago this week, attempting to dazzle the thousands of attendees — about 60,000 in fact — at Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA; Oak Brook, Illinois) 93rd annual meeting.

And as is usually the case at the RSNA conference, some of the biggest names in the medical imaging sector – including Royal Philips Electronics (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and Siemens Medical Solutions (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) – are among the most visible on the exhibit floor.

Philips is touting its 256-slice Brilliance iCT scanner, designed to allow radiologists to produce "high-quality" images with "exceptional acquisition speed," including complete coverage of the heart and brain.

According to Philips, the scanner can capture an image of the entire heart in just two beats, while incorporating the company's technology that has reduced radiation doses by up to 80%.

The company also is demonstrating its Philips Reading Room 20/20 Concept. The device is a "future concept" of the reading room where radiologists analyze diagnostic images of patients, Philips said.

Promoting knowledge and data flow between radiologists and other caregivers, the setting may foster tighter clinical collaboration on exams for all patients, from infants to adults, the company noted.

Siemens is showing off its new Artis zee family of interventional imaging systems. The company said the versatility of the Artis zee family is exemplified by the new Artis zeego, which features a multi-axis C-arm that employs robotic technology to extend imaging capabilities through "virtually unrestricted" C-arm positioning.

According to Siemens, the Artis zeego makes it possible for the position of the isocenter to be adjusted according to the procedural needs or the height of the physician. The adjustable isocenter also enables off-center rotational angiography for all areas of the body and supports advanced 3D imaging techniques, including cross-sectional imaging through Siemens' syngo DynaCT, the company noted.

Siemens also is showcasing its latest advancements in breast ultrasound and MRI, as well as its next generation of digital mammography systems and immunodiagnostic testing.

One such advancement, according to the company, is its Mammomat Novation S, designed to optimize workflow, use the latest full-field amorphous Selenium detectors and features Tungsten/Rhodium X-ray technology, which reduces dose.

Other exhibitors – both large and small – at RSNA include:

  • Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, California) is highlighting two new PaxScan products, the PaxScan 4336R and the PaxScan 4343R.
    The PaxScan 4336R, a 14 x 17 inch detector, is designed to replace a standard film cassette for use in radiographic applications. The PaxScan 4343R, Varian's largest flat-panel X-ray image detector at 17 x 17 inches, is designed for permanent mounting in radiographic tables or wall stands, or for any application that requires a large field of view.
  • Median Technologies (Sophia Antipolis, France) is showcasing its portfolio of lesion management solutions, including the LMS-Lung/Track and LMS-Liver.
    LMS-Lung/Track and LMS-Liver are designed to help radiologists in all steps from lesion measurement and follow-up to report generation for the referring physicians, Median said. The applications segment user-identified lesions and measure their key characteristics such as volume and longest axial diameters. They also pair the lesions in follow-up exams, compute their growth and doubling time and generate reports to assess the response to treatment of solid tumors.
  • Amicas (Boston) is introducing several new products designed to automate and document radiology processes and facilitate better communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as between healthcare providers.
    Such products include the RadStream, Vision Reach, Vision Series PACS, and the Vision Series Financials.
  • EDDA Technology (Princeton Junction, New Jersey) is exhibiting its IQQA Enterprise Engine technology. According to Edda, the technology enables fast delivery and easy access of 2D/3D/4D advanced clinical applications on existing PACS workstations in virtually any hospital PACS environment without code-level integration.
    Available on the IQQA Enterprise Engine are IQQA-Chest for digital X-Ray lung nodule CAD, and IQQA-Liver for contrast MDCT. The IQQA Enterprise Engine is also capable of accommodating third party imaging applications, the company noted.
  • Hitachi Medical Systems America (Tokyo, Japan) is introducing its ECLOS16 16-slice CT system.
    According to Hitachi, the ECLOS16 delivers high image quality and features that facilitate as low as reasonably achievable X-ray dose practices.
    Hitachi also launched Oasis, its new patient-centered open architecture MRI scanner at the RSNA meeting. The FDA cleared the system for marketing in September.
    With its 1.2T vertical field magnet, Oasis has the highest field-strength whole body vertical field magnet available, according to Hitachi.