Imaging Technology News 9/08

Technology Overview CR/DR CR or DR continued from page 36 M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, asks in the study “Clinical Utility of CR and DR in the ER.” Willis concludes that “digital bedside radiography promises to improve imaging for the sickest patients,” however he points out that the one problem with DR is still cost. Cutting costs in DR installations is a key area of focus for manufacturers. Carestream Health is currently launching the new Carestream DRX-1 System, a wireless DR detector that is the size of a standard cassette and can be used with existing wall stand or table-based buckys. What makes this system unique is the DR panels are the same size as CR plates being used at the moment - just pull the CR plate out and plug in the Carestream flat panel. This means the DR system is a direct replacement; no retrofitting and no modifications to existing analog equipment are required. Therefore, radiology rooms don’t need to retrofit or replace all their imaging equipment to go digital. Carestream DRX-1 System is a wireless DR detector that is the size of a standard cassette and can be used with existing wall stand or table-based buckys. July/August 2008 Volume 48 • Number 6 Imaging Technol ogy N E W S The Technology Solutions Resource for Medical Imaging & Radiation Oncology Professionals www.ITNonline.net ISSUE Can IMRT Outpace the Competition? Portable Ultrasound To Go INSIDE this Adaptable CT Scanner Offers Whole Organ Functional Imaging Siemens Medical Solutions gained FDA 510(k) market clearance for the SOMATOM Definition AS, said to be the first adaptive CT scanner, adapting to each patient’s clinical situation, available in 40-slice, 64-slice and 128-slice configurations. The new system reportedly provides a benefit with the Adaptive Dose Shield technology, eliminating unnecessary over radiation. The Adaptive 4D Spiral mode of the SOMATOM Definition AS is able to address functional imaging (perfusion images of blood flow over time) of whole organs. This allows Siemens to offer dynamic information of up to 27 centimeters. In the case of a stroke, physicians can use whole-organ perfusion imaging not only for a small part of the brain but for all of it. Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc. www.usa.siemens.com/medical Comparison Charts SPECT/CT High-Field MRI Systems Web Exclusive: Multimodality Breast Imaging Workstations New Verification System Expedites Patient, File Tracking CIVCO Medical Solutions will be featuring the new RFSuite of tools at the AAPM 2008, a comprehensive tracking and verification system designed to improve workflow and quality assurance. It utilizes RF technologies yielding the ability to track patients, charts, film folders and positioning devices as well as facilitating accessory verification on the linac table. The tracking software, known as RFTrack, allows for the ability to quickly locate specific RF tagged items, in order to save time. Patients are checked into the system by an issued customized wristRFSuite continued on page 13 > > special report DC-3 Color Ultrasound Gains FDA Clearance The FDA cleared Mindray’s DC-3 color ultrasound imaging system, equipped with extensive applications in abdominal, OB/GYN, endovaginal, cardiac, small parts and pediatric markets. This new system combines 2D imaging and color Doppler performance and is suited for hospitals and doctors’ offices in hopes of replacing black and white ultrasound imaging systems. Mindray Medical International Ltd. www.mindray.com New lightweight designs are also contributing to the new era of portable DR systems. Canon U.S.A. recently came out with a portable digital radiography (DR) system, the Canon CXDI-60G Portable Flat Panel Detector, which includes room-to-room installations and mobile X-ray systems. The lightweight detector has a detachable sensor cable designed to enable easy room-to-room installation from multiple locations to treat trauma patient’s bedside or in a wheelchair. Women’s Health: Beating Breast Cancer with Better Treatments Women’s healthcare is a renaissance for tomosynthesis - which radiologists anticipate will be used to detect and treat breast cancer. Breast MRI plays an increasingly important role in pretreatment planning, and radiosurgery sharpens its edges for more precise breast biopsy procedures. Plus, learn which oncology information management systems (OIMS) best streamline RT workflow. CR Moves into Mammo Before DR takes too big of a bite out of the market, CR has another feature up its sleeve - digital mammography. Factors driving the move toward CR mammography is costeffectiveness, the ability to retrofit a unit and flexibility. In addition, CR can provide a smoother transition into digital mammography for many facilities seeking to take the first step into the digital territory. Fuji now offers an FDA-cleared CR used with a mammography component called the FCRm. Also, Health Canada recently approved Carestream Health’s mammography feature offered with its new KODAK DIRECTVIEW Classic and Elite CR systems, allowing Canadian healthcare facilities to perform mammography exams with these CR systems. Plus, there are more models on the way. The advantage of CR for mammography (CRm) is that it may speed the transition to digital mammography because it doesn’t necessarily require an investment in an entirely new system as it can be used with existing equipment. Plus, it allows digital storage and image manipulation. For many outpatient centers seeking to attract more patients and more revenue, offering digital mammography is an alluring extension to their service portfolios. The industry is clearly betting on CR for mammography to become an appealing add-on for hospitals and outpatient centers. But the question remains — if CR for mammography does win the hearts of the end-users, will this fact add more fuel to the fire in the ongoing debate over purchasing a CR or a DR system for the ER? Whether CRm is a deciding factor is yet unclear. ITN FDA Clears Fuji’s CR GO Portable X-Ray The FDA cleared Fuji’s newest CR system, the FCR GO portable digital X-ray system, designed to provide remote users with all of the same functionality and image processing features available at the fixed technologist workstation and FCR digital X-ray cassette reader in the imaging department. All of the image optimization and advanced image processing features of Fuji’s Flash IIP are available at the portable console, allowing for comprehensive image adjustment to be completed remotely, and images can be sent directly to PACS without additional intervention at another workstation. Because the system accommodates wireless FCR GO continued on page 35 > > INSIDE Detecting Breast Disease: The Next Frontier for Tomosynthesis > p.25 BMRI Plots Out Treatments > p.26 RT PACS Streamlines Workflow > p.28 Look for us at the American Healthcare Radiology Administrators (AHRA) July 27-31, 2008 Denver, CO Now Available ITN Digital Edition Go to ITNonline.net and get ITN Digital - FREE - a $120 Value! Hurry, limited time offer. Imaging Technology News magazine is now available in an easy-tonavigate digital version delivered directly to your eMail in-box. Filled with all the great content you find in the print edition, ITN Digital quickly downloads to your desktop in crisp, clear pages formatted for optimum viewing. So whether you’re viewing the digital version of ITN magazine on your laptop, reading ITN magazine in print, or surfing ITNonline.net, Imaging Technology News is available whenever, wherever and however you choose. 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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?

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