August 3, 2015 — Shimadzu Medical Systems USA announced the availability of T-smart, a new tomographic image reconstruction function using iterative reconstruction. The algorithm improves the clarity of tomosynthesis-acquired orthopedic images containing metal implanted objects such as used in orthopedics. T-smart made its U.S. debut at the 2015 Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA) annual meeting of radiology hospital administrators, held July 19-22 in Las Vegas.
T-smart (Tomosynthesis-Shimadzu Metal Artifact Reduction Technology) is a method of image reconstruction designed for imaging metal implants such as artificial joints. It uses a tomographic image reconstruction algorithm combining iterative reconstruction approximation and a metal-isolating algorithm that further reduces the few metal artifacts that remain with tomosynthesis.
Artifacts are reduced to the degree that they are barely noticeable, a factor particularly relevant in total hip arthroplasty where reducing the presence of artifacts allows clearer depiction of trabecula (fine folds) inside the bone at points of contact with the artificial joint. For artificial joints and other treatments that use metal implants, how the contact surface between a metal implant and human tissues such as bone changes over time is an important element in diagnosis.
The T-smart option would be integrated into the dedicated image processing workstation for the Sonialvision Safire and G4 series of multipurpose radiography/fluoroscopy (R/F) digital radiography (DR) systems. This workstation performs the image processing functions that generate reconstructed images from radiographic images taken by the system. Its tomosynthesis capabilities produce images with high spatial resolution and results in exposure doses lower than similar images obtained using computed tomography (CT). It is especially applicable in orthopedics to acquire 3-D information that depicts fine structures inside the bone. T-smart improves upon this, further reducing the presence of metal artifacts beyond what is possible with tomosynthesis alone.
Shimadzu dealers throughout the United States and in the Caribbean are now accepting orders for the T-smart software upgrade.
For more information: www.shimadzu.com
April 23, 2024 
