FUJIFILM Medical Systems’ current strategic development program starts and ends with two basic statements: Gentle Touch. Brilliant Image. To better understand how these four simple words translate into their latest portfolio of digital imaging systems, one needs to appreciate the innovative technology behind these promises.
“Gentle Touch, Brilliant Image describes our overall approach to all our products in engineering, design, and performance,” said Rob Fabrizio, senior manager, modality solutions, FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA Inc. “Our re-energized focus on dose (Gentle Touch) and image quality (Brilliant Image) has led to development of new innovations in detector technologies such as our patented ISS capture technology, our latest dynamic visualization image processing, and new advanced detectors uniquely utilizing dose saving properties of cesium iodide, in a whole new way. Through these innovations, we are able to achieve significant enhancements in image quality compared to traditional designs and at lower dose.”
Fujifilm’s FDR D-EVO Cesium detector utilizes dose saving properties of cesium iodide in a standard 14 x 17 wireless design.
Fujifilm’s patented Irradiated Side Sampling (ISS) is designed to improve Detective Quantum Efficiency (DQE) by reducing the distance for light signals to reach the sensor. By focusing its capture electronics where signals are sharpest and strongest, on the irradiated side of the detector, it is designed to increase visualization of bone detail and improve dose efficiency compared to conventional detector designs. “We have positioned our sensing electronics on the top side of the detector instead of the traditional rear side of the detector,” said Fabrizio. “It’s going to improve the visibility of all types of images, especially dense areas that are traditionally more difficult to get a good image, like the hips….also for low dose exams, like pediatric exams where you are using low dose to begin with and you want better detail.” All Fujifilm FDR D-EVO detectors feature the ISS technology.
Dynamic visualization image processing is another one of Fujifilm’s latest advancements, which enhances visualization of the entire image within the exposure field. It is designed to dynamically extend visibility, maximizing recognition of contrast levels throughout the image.
The recent release of FDR D-EVO Cesium, the latest addition to the D-EVO detector family lineup, provides all of the dose and DQE benefits of cesium iodide in a standard 14×17 wireless design. Cesium detectors are able to capture higher resolution images utilizing lower doses than traditional gadolinium or CR detectors. Cesium inherently provides excellent absorption essential for low dose capture and excellent retention of resolution for fine detail to offer very high DQE dose efficiency.
With all this new detector technology, how gentle is Fuji’s touch? Fabrizio noted, “Since the launch of our first wireless D-EVO flat-panel detector, we have been tracking the before and after dose of all of our installs. And we are seeing typical reductions in dose compared to prior uses of 40% to 50% and even as much as 75% dose reduction with our latest cesium detectors.”
Additionally, Fujifilm has been an active participant in international dose lowering trends and campaigns such as Image Gently and the recent Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) Standards for Exposure Index/Deviation Index (EI/DI). Along with tracking dose, Fuji’s workstations can warn and track data for users when exam dose is outside of the preferred range for the exam performed.
And how brilliant are the images? Fabrizio commented that converting customers to digital exams for their portables has made a huge difference in image quality. “The doctors absolutely love the differences in image quality, and the technologists love how quickly they see the images right at the patient’s bedside within seconds. The images are much clearer than they traditionally have been [with CR].”
Fuji’s promise? “We have always focused on the patient and developing detectors that achieve image quality at the lowest possible dose,” said Fabrizio. “With today’s latest DR technologies and the years of experience Fuji brings to clinical image processing, we are able to achieve image quality more efficiently even at very low dose.”
