Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Boston Scientific Announces Collaborations on Cardiovascular Imaging Technology With Philips and Siemens

NATICK, Mass., May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced collaborations with Philips Healthcare and Siemens Medical Solutions to enable the use of its iLab® Ultrasound Imaging System with the Philips Allura™ Xper and the Siemens AXIOM™ Artis and Artis™ zee interventional X-ray systems. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) technology is designed to provide physicians a 360-degree view inside the heart and coronary vessels to assist with diagnosis and to generate a more accurate image of the diseased vessels than is possible with angiography alone.

Boston Scientific's collaborations with Philips and Siemens include recently completed compatibility testing, which confirmed that the iLab System can function as an integrated system with the Philips and Siemens X-ray systems. The Company previously announced a similar collaboration with GE Healthcare and its Innova® System. The iLab System is designed to be installed directly into a cardiac catheterization laboratory or radiology suite alongside these X-ray systems, enabling physicians to more readily incorporate IVUS technology into their procedures. The integrated systems will be featured at the annual EuroPCR Scientific Program, May 25 – 28 in Paris.

"Boston Scientific is proud to work with Philips and Siemens to offer integrated imaging systems that support improvements in performance, workflow and ease of use," said Joe Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President and President of Boston Scientific's Endovascular Unit. "Cath labs worldwide can now integrate the iLab Ultrasound Imaging System with the vast majority of interventional X-ray systems."

source: PR Newswire

Friday, May 21, 2010

Siemens Showcases Advanced 3D Imaging and Software Applications at ACOG 2010

San Francisco, Ca., May 17, 2010 – Featuring advanced clinical applications that bring OB/GYN imaging to the next level, Siemens Healthcare will showcase its exclusive syngo®.fourSight™ Workplace* image management software at the 58th Annual Clinical Meeting of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) in San Francisco. Siemens will highlight a comprehensive selection of the latest innovations in OB/GYN imaging, including a new 3D immersive imaging experience using professional graphics solutions.

With Siemens’ new syngo.fourSight Workplace, volume imaging takes on a whole new dimension with true stereoscopic views of 3D images delivering a 3D imaging experience more immersive, detailed and real-to-life than ever before. Conventional 3D ultrasound technologies use two-dimensional monitors for the evaluation of 3D images. The combination of NVIDIA® 3D Vision™ technology, NVIDIA Quadro® FX high-end professional graphics solutions and syngo.fourSight Workplace, based on NVIDIA CUDA™ architecture, offers the experience of 3D imaging in “real 3D.”

“This takes 3D/4D ultrasound imaging to the next level,” said Dr. Norbert Gaus, CEO, Clinical Products Division, Siemens Healthcare. “It offers a truly remarkable experience that’s rewarding for parents and their doctors.”

Leveraging NVIDIA visualization technology, Siemens Ultrasound offers a vastly improved overall ultrasound experience. “syngo.fourSight Workplace is a cost-effective, cutting-edge solution that we believe will be embraced by both physicians and their patients. It is an excellent example of how modern 3D technology is being utilized for professional applications such as medical imaging,” said Jeff Brown, general manager, NVIDIA Professional Solutions.

source: Siemens Medical

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

High Resolution Ultrasound: First-Line Imaging Choice for the Evaluation of Patients With Foot Drop?

High resolution ultrasound should be the imaging test of choice when evaluating patients with foot drop (an inability or difficulty in moving the ankle and toes causing uncontrolled slapping of the foot while taking a step), according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA. Ultrasound imaging is non-invasive and involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency ultrasound waves to produce pictures of inside the body.

Foot drop is usually caused by peroneal neuropathy which is the most common compression neuropathy (damage to a single nerve or nerve group) of the lower extremity. “Electromyography (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are commonly used to evaluate the peroneal nerve in patients with foot drop, however, they are not always effective,' said Tom Grant, DO, lead author of the study.

The study, performed at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, in Chicago, IL, included 15 patients with foot drop who were evaluated using high resolution ultrasound. “Ultrasound was found to be highly effective for the characterization of the common peroneal nerve, including intrinsic and extrinsic causes of peroneal neuropathy,” said Grant. All patients evaluated were found to have peroneal neuropathy.

“Ultrasound is less expensive than EMG and MRI, it is painless, and as our study suggests, is highly effective for the evaluation of patients with foot drop,” he said.

source: American Roentgen Ray Society

Sunday, May 2, 2010

New Free Hand Ultrasound System Improves Work Flow and Reduces Scan Time

Researchers have developed an automated 3-D mapping and labeling system that reduces scan time and improves the work flow, efficiency, and accuracy of routine freehand ultrasound exams, according to a study to be presented at the ARRS 2010 Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA.

“The labeling and measuring of free hand ultrasound images are operator dependent, time consuming, and are usually manually performed,” said Calin Caluser, MD, lead author of the study. “The new 3-D mapping and labeling system that we have developed automatically records information and replaces steps in the image acquisition process (that are typically performed manually) with a simple key stroke,” said Caluser.

The study measured the timing and accuracy of the new system in a realistic breast ultrasound phantom with small masses scattered throughout. “Results showed that the average scanning time per target using the new mapping and labeling system was up to 16 seconds per target; compared to at least 51 seconds per target using the standard scanning protocol. The system accurately measured and recorded the location of the masses in relation to the nipple (up to 2 mm), which is difficult to obtain using the manual method,” said Caluser.

“The new system can be added to any existing ultrasound machine and the reduced time for scanning the patient can translate in improved work flow and efficiency,” he said.

source: ARRS