Dec 2 2013
At the 99th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), December 1 to 6 in Chicago, Siemens Healthcare (Booth #1934, South Building/Lakeside Center at McCormick Place, Hall A) will provide “Answers for Life” by offering cutting-edge and accessible technological innovations designed to advance human health.
With these systems and related solutions, Siemens will demonstrate its enduring status as a trusted partner that helps its customers fight the world’s most threatening diseases, elevate quality and productivity in health care, and enable improved access to treatment.
At RSNA 2013, Siemens will showcase the following innovations:
Angiography
The visionary Artis Q and Artis Q.zen angiography systems from Siemens feature a revolutionary X-ray tube and detector technology designed to improve minimally invasive therapy for coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke and cancer, helping hospitals improve patient outcomes and satisfaction. The Artis Q.zen product line combines the X-ray tube with a new crystalline silicon detector that permits imaging at ultra-low radiation levels, enabling utilization of doses as low as half the standard levels applied in angiography. Paired with CARE+CLEAR, a comprehensive portfolio of image quality and dose-saving tools that is standard with all Artis systems, Siemens is determined to provide the lowest possible dose to its customers. Its innovative technology, backed by the value it generates at various levels of the care continuum, has been recognized by Frost & Sullivan with the 2013 North American Award for Company of the Year.
Computed Tomography
Engineered to drive efficiency and reduce costs, the new 16- and 32-slice configurations of Siemens’ SOMATOM Perspective family of computed tomography (CT) scanners1 bring high-end technologies to a broader clientele, with the option of upgrading to the established 64- and 128-slice configurations. In addition to being suitable for routine oncology scans as well as head, neck, lung, and abdominal imaging, the 16-slice SOMATOM Perspective can help ensure that pain-relieving analgesics are delivered to the correct location during surgery. The 32-slice configuration is designed to provide more detailed imaging for bone fractures, inner ear examinations, and vascular applications. Both configurations of the SOMATOM Perspective feature the SAFIRE (Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction)2 algorithm, which enables the user to reduce radiation dose by as much as 60 percent or improve image quality correspondingly.
Magnetic Resonance
At RSNA 2013, Siemens will debut revolutionary technologies designed to enable fast body magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for all patients. The technologies will be available on the MAGNETOM Skyra 3T and MAGNETOM Area 1.5T MRI systems. The new StarVIBE MR pulse sequence is designed to enable free-breathing, contrast-enhanced liver imaging for patients (including patients who are old, very ill, or young) unable to easily manage breath-holding. Siemens’ new TWIST-VIBE MR sequence is designed to enable correct contrast imaging in dynamic liver MRI for all patients and lesions, allowing fast, robust liver imaging with full 4D coverage. The sequences StarVIBE and TWIST-VIBE will be available as the FREEZEit package.
Also at this year’s RSNA, Siemens will introduce its Quiet Suite of applications, which covers complete, quiet neuro and musculoskeletal MR examinations with a minimum 70 percent reduction in sound pressure and no compromise in image quality. Optimized to make MRI more comfortable for patients and to improve the comfort of sensitive patients such as children and the elderly, Quiet Suite will be available with the MAGNETOM Skyra 3T and MAGNETOM Area 1.5T MRI systems.
Molecular Imaging
The new Biograph mCT Flow3 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET∙CT) system overcomes the limitations of conventional bed-based, stop-and-go PET/CT imaging with FlowMotion, a revolutionary technology that moves the patient smoothly through the system’s gantry while continuously acquiring PET data. Biograph mCT Flow with FlowMotion enables imaging protocols based on the organ’s need, leveraging the industry’s finest4 resolution. FlowMotion expands accurate, reproducible quantification in all dimensions for precise disease characterization in therapy monitoring, while enabling physicians to offer as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) dose to every patient.5 Additionally, the combination of a 78 cm bore with five-minute ultrafast scanning and a continuous sense of progress throughout the scan offers a more comfortable exam experience for the patient.
Symbia Intevo6 is the world’s first xSPECT6 system, combining the high sensitivity of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the high specificity of CT. Completely integrating data from both modalities, Symbia Intevo generates high resolution and, for the first time ever, quantitative images for SPECT. Siemens’ new xSPECT modality reconstructs both the SPECT and CT portions of the image using the high-definition CT frame of reference for precise, accurate alignment that facilitates the extraction and deep integration of medically relevant information.
Radiography and Surgery
The new Ysio Max digital radiography system offers Multiple Advances in X-ray (MAX) that touch multiple aspects of clinical work.7 The Ysio Max has a family of new detectors: MAX wi-D, a light, thin, and fast wireless 35x43 cm/14x17” detector with a handle; and MAX mini, a 24x30 cm/10x12” wireless detector dedicated for orthopedic, pediatric, and trauma cases. Ysio Max also boasts MAXalign – a feature designed to display the detector angle on the system’s touch display, enabling the technologist to achieve the correct tube angle according to the detector angle. Using this feature, the technologist can, for example, take chest images in bed without the need for a second X-ray image. The Ysio Max also has MAXswap – one-click registration designed for easier, faster, and safer detector sharing with the MAX mini and MAX wi-D detectors. The Ysio Max’s unique system positioning, FAST (Free Axis Simultaneous Travel), ensures that the system automatically takes the fastest, safest way to the desired position.
Syngo
The latest version of syngo.plaza (VB10),8 Siemens’ agile picture archiving and communications system (PACS) and reading software, provides tools to support users in achieving a fast, efficient reading workflow. The solution offers high-throughput reading with rapid image loading. And because syngo.plaza integrates seamlessly with Siemens’ syngo.via9 3D routine and advanced visualization software, users can tap into the ultimate potential of syngo – accessing innovative applications through a common interface. In addition, the modular, scalable design can keep costs down while leaving room for future growth.
Ultrasound
The HELX™ Evolution of the ACUSON S Family™ of ultrasound systems from Siemens is powered by the new SieStream HD™ system architecture to offer HD image quality, streamlined workflow, and cost-effective sustainability and upgradability. Featuring new transducers, more powerful image processing, and a 21.5-inch LCD monitor with a 60% larger image area, all ACUSON S Family systems now provide 50% greater pixel density and 20% greater image visibility in PACS. With a common architecture across the entire ACUSON S Family of systems, the HELX Evolution provides the flexibility and forward compatibility to add new pioneering technologies as they become available. Streamlined scalability, including various upgradability options for our installed base, makes it easier than ever to grow the system’s capabilities to meet clinical demands and protect the investment – now and in the future.
Siemens’ industry-leading elastography and tissue strain technologies are further enhanced with the HELX Evolution. Virtual Touch™ imaging (VTi), Virtual Touch™ quantification (VTq),10 Virtual Touch™ IQ (VTIQ) as well as eSie Touch™ elasticity imaging offer a revolutionary way of visualizing and measuring tissue stiffness, allowing clinicians to evaluate anatomy more clearly than ever before. With ARFI-based VTIQ, physicians have the ability to quantifiably assess the stiffness of tissue in small parts such as the breast and thyroid. Numerical values are shown simultaneously against a qualitative color map over a user-defined region of interest, providing greater detail about abnormalities within tissue. Previously available exclusively on the ACUSON S3000™ system, VTIQ is now offered on the ACUSON S2000™ system HELX Evolution as well.
Women’s Health
THE MAMMOMAT Inspiration PRIME Edition mammography system lowers patient radiation dose up to 30 percent without compromising image quality, replacing the standard scatter radiation grid with a new algorithm for progressive image reconstruction. Capable of identifying scatter-causing structures and calculating a corrected image, this new algorithm potentially enables complete use of primary radiation so physicians can achieve high-quality images using less dose.
1 510(k)-pending
2 In clinical practice, the use of SAFIRE may reduce CT patient dose depending on the clinical task, patient size, anatomical location, and clinical practice. A consultation with a radiologist and a physicist should be made to determine the appropriate dose to obtain diagnostic image quality for the particular clinical task. The following test method was used to determine a 54 to 60% dose reduction when using the SAFIRE reconstruction software. Noise, CT numbers, homogeneity, low-contrast resolution, and high contrast resolution were assessed in a Gammex 438 phantom. Low-dose data reconstructed with SAFIRE showed the same image quality compared to full-dose data based on this test. Data on file.
3 Biograph mCT Flow is not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons, its future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.
4 Based on volumetric resolution of 87 mm³. Based on competitive literature available at time of publication. Data on file.
5 Patients up to 227 kg (500 lb).
6 Symbia Intevo and xSPECT are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons, their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.
7 The Ysio Max system, MAX wi-D, and MAX Mini detectors are pending 510(k) clearance and are not yet commercially available in the United States.
8 This product is pending 510(k) clearance and is not yet commercially available in the United States.
9 syngo.via can be used as a standalone device or together with a variety of syngo.via-based software options, which are medical devices in their own right.
10 Virtual Touch™ quantification is pending 510(k) clearance and is not yet commercially available in the United States.