ITN Contributing Editor Greg Freiherr offers an overview of artificial intelligence advances at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2017 annual meeting.  AI was by far the hottest topic in sessions and on the expo floor at RSNA 2017. Here are links to related deep learning, machine learning coverage:

Why AI By Any Name Is Sweet For Radiology

Value in Radiology Takes on Added Depth at RSNA 2017

VIDEO: Key Imaging Technology Trends at RSNA 2017

VIDEO: Deep Learning is Key Technology Trend at RSNA 2017

VIDEO: Machine Learning and the Future of Radiology

VIDEO: Expanding Role for Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging

How Artificial Intelligence Will Change Medical Imaging
 

Built on an over 25-year pioneering legacy in the advanced visualization industry, Vital continues to expand on three product lines that make up its Vitrea Enterprise Imaging portfolio: Vitrea Vision, Vitrea Connection and Vitrea Intelligence. Vital’s comprehensive enterprise imaging portfolio enables facilities to build a consolidated and standardized enterprise imaging strategy to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment without the typical barriers associated with consolidating and standardizing. To introduce you to the full line of solutions, we’ll follow a fictional patient through an episode of care to see how Vital Images’ technologies help caregivers to efficiently provide high-quality care.

For more information: www.vitalimages.com

The new Visicoil MR is a helically-wound, flexible linear fiducial marker. The Visicoil MR hollow core design and multiple sizes mitigates the CT artifact often created by traditional gold seeds, offering you clearer visualization of the tissue to aid in faster and more accurate contouring. Visicoil MR's linear flexible design fixates and remains stable in soft tissue, giving you the confidence in accurate marker localization. Visicoil MR is available in some of the smallest needle sizes available for fiducial markers, including 21g and 22g needles. The benefits of smaller needles are improved patient safety and comfort during implantation. The smaller needles may also allow for faster CT sim after implant and ultimately treatment for your patients. The new Visicoil MR with enhanced MRI visibility allows you to see the marker more easily in MRI, both in T1 and T2. This makes for easier and faster MR/CT fusion.

Jared Houk, vice president, imaging business unit, for Agfa HealthCare North America, previews the DR800 at AHRA 2017. Read the article "Agfa HealthCare Previews New DR 800 Imaging System at AHRA 2017."
Click here for more information from the vendor. 

In this video, NTT DATA Services describes enterprise imaging as the secure capture, retention, management, access and sharing of clinical images and associated data. The impact of dark data, disparate media and lack of consistent tools to access imaging are explored in terms of productivity and efficacy in a value-based care environment. This video discusses beyond the traditional VNA approach to explore ideas to consider in planning and how analytics as part of an enterprise strategy integrates into value-based care.

Philips' mission is to build intuitive, scalable and customizable products that can be easily adapted to customers' needs. This approach is the foundation for the new Philips IntelliSpace Enterprise Edition. For more information, visit www.usa.philips.com/healthcare/resources/landing/enterprise-imaging-solutions.

Rob Fabrizio, director of strategic marketing at Fujifilm Medical Systems USA, discusses the latest innovations in digital X-ray, including the new, portable miniature system, the FDR Aqro. For more information: www.fujifilmusa.com/products/medical/digital-x-ray/

Tom Kloetzly, sales and marketing VP for Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, explains the evolution of Shimadzu Corporation since its founding 142 years ago. Kloetzly focuses on the Trinias Interventional X-ray lineshown at RSNA. Kloetzly states “A key feature of Trinias, is the ability to image from fingertip to fingertip during a transradial approach which makes for much shorter hospital stay with the patient up and moving almost immediately after the procedure. Features Like RSM-DSA, a type of motion correction subtraction, eliminates patient movement during acquisition while STENTVIEW, is an enhanced visualization during stent placement in real-time." For more information, visit www.shimadzu.com/med/products/angio/index.html

Mitchell Goldburgh, enterprise imaging and analytics manager for NTT Data Services, formerly Dell Services, highlights how the company has transitioned clinical imaging from pure images into clinical intelligence at RSNA 2016.

Sectra provides industry-leading enterprise image management solutions comprising PACS for radiology, cardiology, and pathology, VNA and Cross Enterprise Workflow. Through 25 years of innovation and 1,700 installations, our experience in radiology has paved the way to deliver enterprise solutions that consolidate image handling and maintain workflow efficiency in the most image intense departments.

The next generation of ZONE Sonography Technology (ZST) has arrived and its living technology continues to evolve. Leveraging ZONARE’s revolutionary ZST and Mindray’s rich repertoire of workflow and user interface features, the Resona 7 is poised to become the new industry leader in premium ultrasound imaging platforms. The Resona 7 presents crystal clear B-mode imaging capabilities with unrivaled detail resolution and image uniformity across all radiology applications. Ultrasensitive Doppler modes and high-speed digital signal processing permit accurate display of hemodynamic states from skin line to depths up to 40 cm without compromising frame rate. An intuitive, customizable gesture-powered touchscreen enables logical and efficient workflow and enhanced user experience.

At its core, ZST provides unique imaging advances for the Resona 7 such as Advanced Acoustic Acquisition which renders superb imaging by using large zones to acquire up to 90 percent more acoustic data per frame and at speeds of 10 times faster than conventional technology. Dynamic Pixel Focusing creates a perfectly focused image every pixel, every frame, in every patient and in every application. Sound Speed Compensation enables a one button touch that automatically calculates the true speed of sound in a specific soft tissue and recalibrates the imaging system to optimize spatial and contrast resolution.

Finally, ZST provides Total Recall Imaging which is powerful software that allows manipulation of raw acoustic data from archived and cine images (clips) permitting a broad range of post-processing functions. This eliminates the need for repeat scanning which, in turn, aids in increasing patient throughput.

ZST is a constantly evolving software-based “living technology.” It is Mindray’s approach to providing customers with easily upgradeable ultrasound enhancements. These upgrades secure product investment protection by ensuring that ZST systems remain at the cutting-edge of imaging performance excellence throughout the system’s entire life cycle.

In summary, coupling premium imaging with advanced workflow features and user-directed ergonomic design, the Resona 7 advances premium level ultrasound imaging into the next generation.

EIZO is proud to be entering into its 45th year of expertise, meeting hospital demands worldwide in over 80 countries. This year we are excited to unveil a few never-seen before, brand new products.

Our newest release is the RadiForce RX660, a 30-inch 6 megapixel monitor ideal for multi-modality applications. With this monitor we’re introducing the new “Work-and-Flow” that benefits radiologists today in creating an efficient and cleaner workspace.

With the Work-and-Flow, you have access to two great features:

The “Hide-and-Seek” function enables users to easily hide the Picture-in-Picture window eliminating the need for an extra monitor while still being able to access reports, patient charts, and other information.

In another feature called the “Switch-and-Go”, users can move across two workstations.

The RX660 uses the DisplayPort 1.2 Daisy Chain Connectivity for a tangle-free, easy, single cable management – this means eliminating excess wires.

Also new this year, is the RadiForce GX550, a 21.3-inch 5 megapixel, FDA approved-monitor for viewing detailed digital breast tomosynthesis and mammography images. Like the RX660, this monitor also features EIZO’s ergonomic design features.

In our CuratOR surgical solutions area, we are featuring two new products that complement our industry leading operating room video management system that allows quick access to multiple image sources and flexible arrangements across different monitors. Different workflow scenarios can be pre-defined and recalled on demand with the simple touch of a touchscreen.

Our EIZ1000 mobile large monitor tower is a turnkey large monitor mounting alternative to costly ceiling suspensions. Its sleek design and easy maneuverability enables use in multiple surgical suites. The EIZ1000 can be installed with little to no downtime, and is the optimum solution for hospitals that do not have the infrastructure to support complex ceiling suspension. 

We are also expanding our OR portfolio with the release our new line of CuratOR surgical panels. These digital viewing systems consist of one or more integrated monitors – as well as IT and video management components that function as the central console in the operating room. Integrated into the hospital’s IT structure, it is ideal for work performed by operating room or nursing staff.  

Finally, we are showing our CuratOR SP2-24-49 HIS/PACS configuration for viewing images and documentation. This configuration contains a 24-inch touchscreen and a 49-inch monitor forming a space-saving combination of HIS and PACS station. Different applications are covered by just one device. The polished and sealed design allows for easy cleaning.

Join Chris Toth, president, Oncology Systems Americas, for a look at Varian’s new product introductions and major initiatives highlighted at ASTRO this year:

• The 360 Oncology care management platform, the first software system designed to integrate and coordinate integrates relevant health information so cancer patients and their care teams can collaborate on the best care. 360 Oncology brings together in a single platform, radiation, medical and surgical oncology, social services, primary care physicians, as well as the patient, to facilitate true collaborative and coordinated care.
• HyperArc high definition radiotherapy, technology that unlocks the potential of using highly non-coplanar treatment strategies to usher in a new era of precision. HyperArc is designed to automate and simplify sophisticated treatments such as stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and make them available to more cancer patients around the world.
• Varian’s cyber-security initiative, which is transforming the company’s software platforms to help maximize the security of patient information, maintain the integrity of treatment delivery, and enhance clinical uptime by helping defend against cyber-attacks.

Tom Kloetzly, sales and marketing VP for Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, explains the evolution of Shimadzu Corporation since its founding 142 years ago. Kloetzly focuses on the Trinias Interventional X-ray lineshown at RSNA 2016. Kloetzly states, “A key feature of Trinias, is the ability to image from fingertip to fingertip during a Transradial approachwhich makes for much shorter hospital stay with the patient up and moving almost immediately after the procedure.Features Like RSM-DSA, a type of motion correction subtraction, eliminates patient movement during acquisition while STENTVIEW, is an enhanced visualization during stent placement in real-time.”

Carestream offers a choice of deployment models to match your fiscal strategy — with low cost and low financial risk. MyVue Center saves money by reducing capital and operational costs for printers, CD/DVD publishing and maintenance.   

Learn about patient-enabled imaging in this brief video.

The purpose of this exploratory video roundtable is to examine the state of breast biopsies today and to communicate the current challenges and inefficiencies affecting personnel that perform these important procedures. The video roundtable posed key questions to Key Opinion Leaders from the Cleveland Clinic on obstacles they face when performing stereotactic-guided breast biopsies, and why it is necessary to consider the ramifications. The roundtable discussion was hosted by Imaging Technology News and was funded through a grant from Hologic Inc.

Also, see the related article, Room for Improvement in Women's Health, by Laura Shepardson, M.D.

The medical imaging staff of Salem Community Hospital has expanded the value their Medrad Stellant Injection System delivers. Learn about this radiology team's experience in eliminating guesswork, driving consistent image quality, and benefiting from CT workflow efficiencies.

Agfa highlights how its digital radiography (DR) systems capture analytics data to help improve management of the radiology department, show ROI on DR investments, and explains how its image processing software works.  Read the article “The Coming Push for DR.”  Watch the video “Technology Report: DR Systems.”

Consolidate disparate imaging systems and provide physicians with enterprise-wide access to all medical data with Unifier Archive, a natively Vendor Neutral Archive from Dicom Systems.

Learn more about McKesson's Conserus Clinical Data Exchange.