Imaging Technology News 9/08

Advances In PET/CT flow and thus higher patient throughput. In addition, GE Healthcare reports that with improved controls over advanced image rendering tools, image acquisition times can be reduced in half, resulting in better diagnostic accuracy as well as patient experience. In its newest gamma camera, IQ·SPECT, Siemens offers the latest technology in dedicated-cardiac cameras that accelerates workflow through a redesigned collimator. The SMARTZOOM collimator design breaks away from the traditional fixed-90 degree dual-head design and instead employs what Siemens refers to as a cardio-centric orbit such that the heart is maintained within the collimator’s magnification area throughout the entire study. As a result, the camera is capable of performing true organspecific imaging, resulting in significant reductions in image acquisition times. Additionally, calcium scoring with SPECT/CT cameras can be performed under one minute, completing the most comprehensive perfusion study available today. Also easing the upgrade from SPECT to SPECT/CT is Philips Healthcare’s new Brightview XCT system. One benefit about the system is that the camera is the first, and only scalable hybrid camera to fit into a 12 x 15.5-foot room. As such, the system requires little to no room renovation, reducing the cost of ownership as well. In addition, consumers have the upgrade-to-CT option so that they can scale the system as their business needs evolve over time. continues to disagree, which is evident by the wide consideration of PET MPI to be a “nice-to-have” technology instead of a “need-to-have” like its SPECT counterpart. Positron Corp. looks to strengthen PET perfusion’s position with its recent introduction of a PET-only dedicated cardiac camera. Currently under development, this “economically priced” PET system is speculated to cost approximately $600,000 – considerably less than an average PET/CT system that can cost around $1.6 – $2.1 mil- lion. With a small footprint and lower costs, the PET camera is expected to directly compete with the mobile dedicated-cardiac SPECT cameras within the primarycare physician and cardiologist office setting, which represents the largest (and most lucrative) untapped market segment within the MPI industry. If PET perfusion is able to successfully penetrate this market segment, the modality may finally be able to shake off its misconception of being an “oncology-only” modality. ITN PET Perfusion: Ready to Penetrate the MPI Market PET perfusion imaging continues to generate an increasing amount of buzz due to its superior image resolution and PET MPI radiotracer characteristics. The clinical benefits of PET MPI have been established, with PET MPI showing superiority in detecting coronary artery disease (CAD) over SPECT MPI, CT angiography (CTA) or MR angiography (MRA). In addition, the perfusion agent used in PET MPI, Rubidium-82, has a half-life of 75 seconds, allowing end-users to complete both rest and stress imaging tests in less than 30 minutes. This is highly advantageous, as SPECT MPI typically requires at least a few hours between technetium dose administration for its rest and stress stages. As such, advocates of PET perfusion argue that the benefits of the modality easily justify its costs. The medical community, however, September 2008 | ITN | 35 Open Up Your Possibilities The first and only PET/CT system designed to meet the patient positioning and accuracy requirements of radiation oncology, GEMINI TF Big Bore makes it possible to image patients in the same position they are treated. The combination of leading technologies in GEMINI TF time-of-flight PET imaging and Brilliance Big Bore CT simulation consolidates diagnostic, staging, follow-up and now therapy planning procedures on one system, increasing the possibility for greater accuracy and workflow efficiency. Discover the value of being more open with GEMINI TF Big Bore PET/CT. Simply inspired by you. Visit us at ASTRO, booth #1747 www.philips.com/healthcare http://www.philips.com/healthcare http://www.philips.com/healthcare

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Imaging Technology News 9/08

Imaging Technology News 9/08 Contents IGRT How IGRT Targets the Prostate ASTRO Oncology Information Management Systems (OIMS) Imaging Leading the Intense Race Against Cancer SBRT - The New Treatment of Choice Top IMRT/IGRT Centers to Watch Molecular Imaging: Ready for the Limelight CR or DR in the ER? Have You Hit the Glass Ceiling?

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.