August 12, 2016 — Shimadzu Medical Systems USA has launched a new radiographic table system called the RADspeed Pro featuring an optional Edge package of advanced applications. The RADspeed Pro is the latest evolution of Shimadzu’s RADspeed series and with the optional advanced applications that the Edge package offers — such as tomosynthesis, dual energy subtraction and advanced auto-stitching for supporting diagnostics in clinical applications — a routine rad table now takes on a completely new role in any diagnostic department.
General radiography systems are used for imaging various parts of the body, such as the chest, abdomen, or bones and joints for orthopedic surgery, making these systems essential tools for the initial diagnosis of a wide variety of diseases.
In recent years, general radiography systems equipped with flat panel detectors have become increasingly popular, with digital image processing technology used for various application-specific functionality providing images with superior diagnostic capabilities for clinical applications.
In particular, the RADspeed Pro with Edge package system inherits the easy operability and extensive functionality for reducing exposure levels from conventional radiographic systems, with the addition of various optional advanced applications, including:
Tomosynthesis
Shimadzu’s experience with tomosynthesis applications for fluoroscopy systems is now offered in the RADspeed Pro’s optional Edge package for general radiography. Tomosynthesis allows you to quickly and easily obtain multiple digital cross section images from a single linear tomography scan. The raw scan data can then be used to reconstruct cross sectional images from any height, as many times as desired. Furthermore, it offers the flexibility of scanning patients while applying loads in the standing position, in the supine position on the table, or with elbows or knees bent. Because it inhibits metal artifacts that can make diagnostic imaging difficult, it also makes it easier to evaluate the bones near metal objects, such as used for checking the bone union status of areas fastened with bolts or plates in the follow-up examinations after orthopedic surgery.
This package also includes Shimadzu’s proprietary independent tomosynthesis workstation (optional), which enables users to perform tomosynthesis processing in parallel with examinations. This further improves examination throughput and reduces the stress on patients by resulting in shorter wait times and shorter examination times.
Dual Energy Subtraction
Dual energy subtraction utilizes the difference in X-ray absorption levels of bones and soft tissues to generate separate images of soft tissue and bone tissue, in addition to plain radiographic images, by successively applying high- and low-voltage exposures and then using an algorithmic process to separate them. This enables rendering of nodes obscured behind ribs in soft-tissue images of the chest area or calcifications in bone images, which are especially useful for diagnoses of the chest area, such as with lung cancer.
Auto-Stitching Radiography
A newly developed Bucky table is able to obtain 120 cm long view images in the supine position (what the company calls the longest in the industry, and 40 cm longer than the previous Shimadzu model). The Bucky stand can obtain long view images up to 160 cm long. This makes it possible to view the entire spine or entire lower extremities, even for large patients or patients with difficulty in standing. Additionally, one of the key features the RADspeed Pro series inherits from the previous model is the automatic linking of the X-ray tube support actions to the Bucky stand or Bucky table, facilitating capturing the long view images that are automatically stitched together.
For more information: www.shimadzu.com
April 09, 2024 
