March 31, 2008 - Toshiba brought to ACC its Advanced Image Processing (AIP) technology for its Infinix X-ray product line, created to help users better visualize even the smallest interventional devices, featuring a programmable image display that reportedly gives clinicians the ability to optimize image viewing based on clinical preferences.

March 29, 2008 - Toshiba America Medical Systems presented the FDA 510(k) cleared Artida ultrasound system, designed to meet the demands of the growing cardiac 4D market, today at the American College of Cardiology's 57th Annual Scientific Session in Chicago, IL.

With Artida's real-time multi-planar reformatting capabilities, physicians should be able to quantify global and regional LV function, including LV ejection fraction, volume and severity of regurgitation. Arbitrary views of the heart not available in 2D imaging are also obtained that can help with surgical planning.

March 28, 2008 - PACS (picture archiving and communication systems) is on the verge of taking the next giant leap forward by becoming Digital Healthcare Information Management Systems.

This was one of the many new concepts brought to light at the DHIMS 2008 conference (formerly the PACS conference), held March 25-29 in San Antonio, TX.

KUB Technologies’ new XPERT 40 digital specimen radiography system is a mobile, self-contained, shielded cabinet X-ray system available with up to an 8-by-8-inch (20-by-20-cm) digital radiography detector for inspection of surgically excised needle core biopsies and tissue specimens.

With its 1.0 mA X-ray source, the XPERT reportedly provides the highest signal to noise ratio and the lowest chances of missing micro-calcifications.

FUJIFILM Medical Systems USA’s digital mammography system, the Fuji Computed Radiography for Mammography (FCRm), works to offer a combination of image quality, versatility and practicality.

The system provides 18-by-24-centimeter and 24-by-30-centimeter fields-of-view, 50-micron pixel sampling and Fuji’s patented dual-side reading technology.

Hitachi Medical Systems America’s OASIS patient-centered open architecture MRI scanner features Hitachi’s proprietary 1.2 Tesla vertical field magnet technology inclusive of high magnet homogeneity and higher order active shim, all in an open architecture magnet design that gives patients an unrestricted viewing angle.

Featuring a high performance gradient system coupled with an 8-channel Radio Frequency (RF) system and Hitachi-designed RF coils, Oasis is designed to provide high performance imaging in a comfortable patient setting.

The Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy System by Xoft is designed with a miniaturized X-ray source to apply radiation directly to a tumor bed within the body.

The Axxent Controller does not require radioactive isotopes or heavy shielding, according to the company. The system reportedly reduces treatment time from seven weeks to five days when compared to whole-breast external-beam radiation. Clinicians can be in the room during the procedure.

March 2008

SonoSite’s M-Turbo hand-carried ultrasound system is designed for use in the full range of clinical applications at the point of care, reportedly delivering an exponential increase in raw processing power for improved image clarity across all exam types, including breast imaging.

Accuray Inc. recently introduced the Sequential Optimization feature, an optimization capability that will now be available as a software option for the MultiPlan Treatment Planning System, reportedly allowing users to optimize their treatment objectives based on each unique clinical situation using prioritized clinical objectives, instead of the traditional trial and error setting of various constraints to narrow in on an optimized treatment.

Calypso Medical’s Calypso 4D Localization System reportedly utilizes proprietary electromagnetic technology in conjunction with implanted Beacon transponders in the prostate. The product was designed to provide tumor location information during external beam radiation therapy without adding ionizing radiation.

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