Meet Your Makers

Make time at RSNA 2014 to meet with manufacturers of everything from CR/DR to major modalities. Here’s just a small sampling of what’s in store on the exhibit floor.

By Jenny Lower

When the Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) convenes at McCormick Place in Chicago this December, the gathering will represent the culmination of 100 years of medical imaging. RSNA 2014 will celebrate “A Century of Transforming Medicine”—championing the many ways imaging has revolutionized healthcare. A Centennial Showcase will highlight key dates in the history of medical imaging, and visitors can try their hands at diagnosing historical images.

Here at Axis Imaging News, we’re looking to the future, so we’ve canvassed some of the top companies among the show’s nearly 700 exhibitors to help you make the most of your time in Chicago. Browse below, and find out which technologies are poised to ensure our new century gets started off right.

CR/DR

Agfa HealthCare Corporation, Greenville, SC, will showcase a number of digital radiography (DR) solutions, including its recently launched DX-D 40 digital detector with automatic exposure detection (AED). Wireless and cable-free, it allows healthcare facilities to cost-effectively upgrade film and CR mobile x-ray units to DR. The system’s minimal configuration—requiring only a laptop and a DX-D 40 flat panel detector—provides mobility and versatility in x-ray image acquisition. The DX-D Mobile Retrofit includes Agfa’s MUSICA image processing, which has been specially adapted and tuned to further enhance image quality. It ensures consistent image quality and high contrast detail.

Agfa HealthCare will also present new workflow improvements on the DX-D 100. A telescopic, collapsible column offers technologists unobstructed viewing, while secondary controls on the system’s arm enable single-person operation. With no trailing cable, the DX-D 100 is a hygienic solution suited for use in the ICU, pediatrics, and neonatal areas. The floor-mounted DR 400 system is a scalable digital radiography solution that requires no expensive ceiling structure. The robust table, with floating tabletop and double touch foot switches, is user-friendly for both operator and patient. Agfa HealthCare will also promote its Fast Forward program to help healthcare organizations take full advantage of their imaging investments. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 4708)

Canon USA Inc, Melville, NY, will introduce the RadPro Delinia 200, a DR retrofit solution that utilizes auto-detection software to acquire digital x-ray images using the x-ray source from an existing fixed radiographic room or analog mobile system. Designed to accommodate customers using CR, DR, or both, this turnkey solution offers improved image quality and lower patient radiation dose. The RadPro Delinia 200 is able to connect with RIS and PACS systems to deliver an efficient DR workflow. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 1241 and 1241X)

Carestream Health, Rochester, NY, will spotlight the two latest enhancements to its imaging systems: a new feature for its fully automated DRX-Evolution DR room that allows operators to manually move the overhead tube with assistance from the system’s motors to help reduce technologist fatigue, and a ceiling-mounted tube option for its DRX-Ascend system to provide versatile positioning for a variety of imaging exams. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 4735)

Konica Minolta Medical Imaging, Wayne, NJ, will introduce the AeroDR XE wireless flat panel, designed to provide reliable, high-capacity imaging in the ER/Trauma, ICU/CCU, and bedside. At 5.7 pounds with grip strips, the AeroDR XE exams faster with image preview in 1 second and fully processed images in less than 8 seconds. The panel is compatible on any x-ray device with the AeroSYNC automatic exposure detection, and is packaged with software options that enhance usability. Designed to be reliable and robust, Konica Minolta’s lithium ion capacitor extends panel life to last an entire shift up to 8.2 hours or 300 images. Featuring a significant weight to load ratio—up to 661 lbs—and a high bend and liquid resistance, AeroDR XE is built to withstand use in the most extreme environments. Completely sealed with no external battery, AeroDR XE can be wiped clean with approved cleaners after each use to fulfill a hospital’s infection prevention protocols.

Konica Minolta will also debut the Nano P+ CR system. Designed for busy private practices, the single bay CR system provides an intuitive user interface with CS-7 software and includes several menu and workflow improvements. A more robust RIS/PACS interface includes modality work list functionality that enables the user to more easily customize exam tags or set up multiview tags. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 1918)

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, Torrance, Calif, will show the MobileDaRt Evolution EFX with Canon flat?panel detectors. The digital mobile motorized x?ray system allows verification of images 3 seconds after they are obtained, and its 32 kW output acquires blur?free images. The MobileArt Aero DR?I, a Konica upgrade to Shimadzu’s Analog MobileArt mobile radiography system, will also debut a new integrated control console and monitor. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 6913)

Varian Medical Systems, Lincolnshire, Ill, will exhibit its PaxScan 4336W wireless flat panel detector, featuring sixth-generation architecture incorporating 16-bit data acquisition. At 43 cm x 36 cm and 3.4 kg with battery, the 4336W transmits image data across a wireless link with transfer rates up to 170 Mbps, for a preview time of as little as 2 seconds. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 4721 and 4721X)

CT

GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wis, will display a number of CT scanners, including the Revolution CT, introduced last year and now FDA-cleared. Capable of performing cardiac exams in a single heartbeat and whole brain imaging in less than a second, the system is 50% quieter than previous generation CTs and comes equipped with ASiR-V, a technology that reduces dose up to 82% while maintaining consistent image quality. Also featuring ASiR-V, the Revolution EVO includes a Clarity imaging system that provides up to 100% better spatial resolution over previous GE CT scanners. The system enables advanced studies such as TAVI planning and high heart rate CCTA. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 3539 and 4039)

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin, Calif, has made a number of software and hardware enhancements (some pending 510(k) clearance) to its Aquilion CT scanners. PureVision Detector enhancements improve overall detector efficiency and increase light output up to 40%. SurekV helps clinicians and technologists automatically select the correct kV setting for easier and safer exams. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 7333)

Displays

Barco Inc, Kortrijk, Belgium, will unveil its new Coronis Uniti, a single display designed to accommodate all radiology images including 2D, 3D, color, grayscale, PACS images, and breast images. FDA-cleared and designed with ergonomics in mind, the Coronis Uniti offers a slightly larger screen—33.6”—than the traditional monitor, as well as resolution capacity—4200 x 2800—that accommodates taller images than the norm.  (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 2706)

EIZO Corporation, Cypress, Calif, has received 510(k) clearance for mammography and general radiography for its 8-megapixel color multimodality monitor, the RadiForce RX850, on display at RSNA. The improved pixel pitch of 0.1704 mm lets users view medical images in greater detail across its 31.1-inch screen. The monitor also offers an increased high contrast ratio of 1450:1 and guarantees 20,000 hours of usage time when used at the recommended brightness of 500 cd/m². (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 2929)

Fluoroscopy

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA will feature the SonialVision G4. The system received 510(k) clearance in 2014 and is designed to perform a wide variety of examinations, including angiography, endoscopy, and video fluoroscopy for gastrointestinal series and swallowing exams. The G4 table is accessible for all bariatric exams and rated for a 700-pound static patient load. The system combines a 17-inch by 17-inch flat panel detector (FPD) with Shimadzu’s next generation digital imaging platform. (North Hall B, Booth 6913)

Interventional Radiology

GE Healthcare is showcasing its Discovery IGS 740, a rail-free mobile angiography system with a 41-cm by 41-cm detector. The first of its kind to receive FDA approval, the system is designed to increase radiologists’ access to patients while overcoming the constraints of fixed ceiling-mounted system rails. A wide bore C-arm and dedicated arm-imaging positions enable easier imaging and full patient access from the left or right. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 3539 and 4039)

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA will display its Trinias portfolio of digital angiography systems. Key features include Shimadzu’s ultra?high speed Score Pro image processing technology to optimize image quality and eliminate noise, and Score RSM, which allows for 100% motion correction during an acquisition. Trinias CV can be configured as a ceiling?mounted or floor?mounted system. (North Hall B, Booth 6913)

MRI

Toshiba America Medical Systems will roll out a number of enhancements to its MR offerings. Rapid Transport System (RTS) is a lightweight interunit transportation system that combines the flexibility of a standard stretcher with the functionality of an MR table. Pianissimo noise-reduction technology uses vacuum-sealed gradient coils and sound dampening material to decrease noise by 90%, and a noncontrast technology is available for patients with renal insufficiency. Toshiba’s M-Power interface simplifies MR scans by automatically guiding clinicians to complete exams accurately and efficiently.

In addition, the Vantage 3T MR system now has the option of 16-channel Speeder flex coils, providing improved resolution and image quality and a higher signal to noise ratio. For the Vantage 1.5T MR, Toshiba has introduced a 32-channel cardiac coil system to improve image quality as well as CardioLine, a fully automated cardiac positioning alignment tool to reduce exam times and decrease inconsistent results. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 7333)

PET/CT & Nuclear Medicine

GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wis, will exhibit the FDA-cleared Discovery IQ PET/CT system, which delivers up to 22 cps/kBq sensitivity with an axial field-of-view of up to 26 cm, completing images in half the time, with half the PET dose of previous models. The system’s FDA-cleared Q.Clear technology provides up to two times improvement in both quantitative accuracy (SUVmean) and image quality (SNR).

GE’s Discovery NM/CT 670 Pro nuclear medicine scanning system combines a 50-slice equivalent CT speed with CT applications, dose management tools such as OptiDose, DoseWatch, and ASiR. GE’s Q.Suite for SPECT/CT incorporates next-generation tools to improve quantitation in SPECT/CT imaging, including camera calibration, quality control, data integrity, reconstruction algorithms, and analysis and reporting. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 3539 and 4039)

Toshiba America Medical Systems will display its Celesteion PET/CT system with features designed to improve patient satisfaction, including a large bore, wide field of view, rapid imaging, and dose reduction technology. The system is suitable for all radiation and oncology imaging needs, including tumor detection, treatment evaluation, and CT simulation. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 7333)

Printers

Sony Electronics, San Diego, will highlight four new FDA Class II, 510(k)-cleared medical printers. The UP-D898MD and UP-X898MD black-and-white ultrasound printers offer a printing time of approximately 1.9 seconds and resolution of 325 DPI. A built-in digital capture feature lets users store images on a connected USB drive. The UP-991AD and UP-971AD black-and-white hybrid printers have print times of approximately 8 seconds, an analog video input, and a USB 2.0 high-speed interface for digital printing. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 3239)

Ultrasound

Samsung Electronics America, Ridgefield Park, NJ, will spotlight its RS80 ultrasound system, offering a 23-inch LED-lit display, a 13.3-inch tilting tablet touch screen, and a six-way motorized adjustable console. Hybrid beam-forming technology and next-generation SDMR and Single Crystal Probe technology help deliver consistent image clarity, while the S-Flow feature delivers improved Doppler sensitivity and enhanced color spatial resolution when documenting small vessels. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booths 7360 and 8355)

Siemens Healthcare, Malvern, Pa, will introduce the Acuson X600, a cost-effective ultrasound system for general imaging and OB/GYN. Ultra-sensitive wideband transducers, including new lightweight 3D/4D transducers for women’s imaging, improve image resolution and penetration. Advanced workflow solutions include ergonomic design, QuikStart rapid boot, wireless data transfer, and tissue grayscale optimization.

In addition, two systems have received upgrades. Release 3.5 of the Acuson Freestyle with wireless transducers includes enhanced needle visualization and improved user interface with an expanded clinical image display. The Acuson X700’s release 2.0 includes eSie Touch elasticity imaging for noninvasive relative tissue stiffness analysis. Customizable upgrades make it easy to update the system as clinical needs evolve. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 1934)

Toshiba America Medical Systems will highlight its lightweight Xario 200 ultrasound system, which produces image quality at depths up to 40 cm and is suitable for general imaging, women’s imaging, and shared-service departments. Toshiba has also upgraded its Aplio 500 with Superb Micro-Vascular Imaging (SMI), a tool that allows clinicians to visualize the tiny vessels in and around areas such as tumors and lymph nodes and identify low-velocity microvascular blood flow. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 7333)

Zonare, Mountain View, Calif, is exhibiting the company’s new Z.One Pro ultrasound system, a cost-effective, durable unit with a small system footprint and a wide variety of transducers covering numerous applications. The in-progress, intraoperative curved array C9-3sp transducer (pending regulatory approval) is the newest addition to the Zonare family of transducers, offering multiple frequencies and highly sensitive color and PW Doppler. Zonare will also display a major upgrade to its premium ZS3 system, available at no additional cost to current customers. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 6729)

Women’s Imaging

Beekley Medical, Bristol, Conn, will demonstrate its TomoSpot skin markers, which subtly highlight areas of interest on the breast. When combined with tomosynthesis, they provide higher specificity and help reduce radiologist interpretation time. The markers are available in five distinctive shapes. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 2309)

Carestream Health will showcase enhancements to the digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) module for its Vue Mammo workstations and Vue PACS, including a DBT image map, improved workflow settings, and the display of DICOM-compliant 2D synthetic views calculated from the 3D dataset. The company also plans to show a work-in-progress feature that allows the user to adjust the slab thickness of a tomosynthesis series, a capability that can help visualize calcifications and decrease reading time. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 4735)

Fujifilm Medical Systems USA, Stamford, Conn, will present its newly enhanced Aspire Cristalle digital mammography system. Comfort paddles contour to the breast for increased comfort, and two image processing tools—intelligent automated exposure control (iAEC) and image-based spectrum analysis (ISC)—analyze the breast for glandular tissue characteristics, detect implants to optimize dose and processing, and precisely tune contrast. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 2511)

GE Healthcare will showcase its new breast imaging 3D tomosynthesis solution, SenoClaire, which recently received FDA approval. SenoClaire uses a low-dose short x-ray sweep around the positioned breast. This approach removes potential motion from the tube, helping to reduce blur and increase image sharpness. With SenoClaire, no increase in dose occurs when switching from a 2D standard mammogram to a 3D view. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booths 3539 and 4039)

Hologic, Bedford, Mass, will offer a cost-effective screening option with an upgrade path to 3D. Shown for the first time at RSNA, the Hologic Avia Package is a affordable option for customers seeking a 2D screening only or 2D screening and diagnostic solution with a seamless upgrade pathway for interventional and tomosynthesis capabilities.

X-Ray

Fujifilm Medical Systems USA will debut a new x-ray image-processing tool currently under FDA review. Virtual Grid intelligently adapts contrast to improve image quality for exams that are taken without a grid, reducing degradation of image quality caused by scatter radiation. The feature can improve mobile imaging where a grid may not be available, and eliminates artifacts due to misalignment. (South Bldg, Hall A, Booth 2511)

Toshiba America Medical Systems is showing enhancements to its Dose Tracking Systems (DTS) for the Infinix family of cardiovascular x-ray systems. DTS now offers expanded front and lateral bi-plane coverage and the ability to track cradle movement. The T.RAD and Kalare x-ray systems can also accommodate up to four registered wireless flat panel detectors at one time for increased flexibility and reduced exam times. Recently cleared by the FDA, the Kalare FPD digital R&F system features a 17-inch by 17-inch flat panel detector (FPD) and reduces scatter radiation by more than 95%. (North Bldg, Hall B, Booth 7333)

####

Jenny Lower is associate editor for Axis Imaging News.