GEMS’ Light Speed Pro 16 offers physicians improved cardivascular, neuro, pediatric, and lung studies.

GE Medical Systems (Waukesha, Wis) showcases its Light Speed Pro 16. The 16-slice scanner offers 0.4-second routine mode, which overcomes many constraints imposed by organ motion and respiration and offers physicians improved cardiovascular, neuro, pediatric, and lung studies. The Light Speed Pro 16 features a tube and generator, which translates into more power on the small focal spot, enhancing visualization of the smallest anatomical structures in the body and improving resolution. An improved tube-cooling rate facilitates longer thin-slice studies, and the patented design reduces off-focal radiation, thereby reducing patient dose. GEMS also plans to launch the new Light Speed RT. Designed for oncology applications, the wide bore, multi-slice scanner provides a wide field of view. It facilitates positioning freedom and greater precision for IMRT procedures. GEMS markets several accompanying packages, including a 4D respiratory gating package as well as simulation and fusion imaging packages. The reconstruction algorithms that enable the wide field of view can be purchased for radiology scanners to enhance their oncology utility.

Also new is AutoBone software for the Advantage Workstation. The software provides automated bone and CT table removal from CT Angiography (CTA) studies of the abdomen and lower extremities. Once removed, bony structures easily can be dialed back in to create a transparent roadmap for the vascular surgeon. GEMS’ new Xtream platform for productivity enables users to scan and view thin-slice images. Xtream delivers six frames per second (fps) reconstruction at full resolution for images of any slice thickness, and 10 fps transfer rates to Advantage Workstation or PACS. Xtream also offers 250,000-image storage capacity and adds workflow flexibility by offering the ability to run GEMS’ advanced CT applications directly on the CT operator’s console. The Xtream platform is field upgradable and inherently scalable, designed to easily adapt to technology advancements in the future. Xtream is available as an upgrade for the entire Light Speed family and High Speed Qxi.

Philips Medical Systems’ (Bothell, Wash) is featuring its complete family of products, including its 2-, 6-, 10-, and 16-slice scanners. Live demonstrations will showcase significant enhancements to the scanners as well as the workstation offering, including new clinical applications, new levels of performance, and additional clinical confidence for current applications. New solutions include detector design, signal conversion, data transfer, reconstruction, and tube technology—technologies that eliminate the boundaries of conventional thinking.

The ImageChecker CT CAD system from R2 Technology provides workflow-enhancing tools that are designed to increase efficiency and help with clinical decisions.

R2 Technology Inc (Sunnyvale, Calif) showcases the ImageChecker CT CAD system with OmniCAD technology. The comprehensive lung nodule detection and analysis system automatically detects potential areas of interest to increase physician accuracy by decreasing observational oversights. It also provides workflow-enhancing tools, including automatic measurement and characterization information of the detected lung nodules. Combined, the integrated system is designed to improve radiologist efficiency and aid in making clinical decisions. R2 received 510(k) approval for the workflow-enhancing tools from the US FDA in November 2002. The CAD software is pending FDA approval.

Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa) is launching its Speed4D Technology. This technology comprises Straton, a new X-ray tube; WorkStream4D for workflow optimization and data handling; syngo InSpace4D for evaluation of the moving heart; and CARE Dose4D for automated real-time dose reduction. Speed4D Technology enables advanced utilization of cutting-edge multislice CT technology and integration of sophisticated imaging applications for use in clinical practice.

TeraRecon’s CT Cone Beam Scanner is geared toward the small-animal and industrial areas.

TeraRecon Inc (San Mateo, Calif) debuts its 3D CT Cone Beam Scanner for small-animal and industrial applications. The scanner integrates the CT console function in a small, compact, and cost-effective form factor. It delivers fast cone beam reconstruction performance and 3D analysis and visualization. The scanner can distribute reconstructed images to any thin-client PC using AquariusNET technology.

Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS of Tustin, Calif) showcases its Aquilion 16 CFX CT scanner. Designed to deliver an array of cardiac imaging capabilities, the scanner features Toshiba’s multirow detector technology; 400-millisecond scanning to capture more precise anatomical images of the heart; and SureCardio, a new Cardiac Function Analysis software package to perform enhanced scanning and reconstruction functions for cardiac examinations. The selectable slice-thickness multirow detector (SSMD) allows up to seven varying image slice thicknesses, which can be selected based on the objectives of the examination. The Aquilion 16 CFX generates up to 40 slices per second using the SSMD and permits 16 0.5mm images to be acquired per 400-millisecond gantry rotation for volumetric data acquisition. SureCardio consists of sophisticated and adaptive reconstruction software and enables the Aquilion 16 CFX to produce precise MPR images, volume curves, and polar maps as well as wall motion analysis and functional parameter calculations. In addition, SureCardio selects the optimum acquisition parameter automatically based on the patient’s heart rate.

Toshiba’s Aquilion 16 CFX CT scanner offers a range of cardiac imaging capabilities, including SureCardio software, which selects the optimum acquisition parameter based on the patient’s heart rate.

The new CT scanner employs Toshiba’s RealConeView helical reconstruction technique to eliminate artifacts related to the cone angle, providing accurate, high-resolution isotropic images over the entire imaging field. The Aquilion 16 CFX also features an optional CT fluoroscopy package for multislice CT with real-time image reconstruction capable of displaying three images obtained by combining data from the SSMD.

TAMS also is highlighting other new introductions including the Aquilion 8, Aquilion Super 4 FX, and Aquilion Super 4. The Aquilion 8 offers a dedicated upgrade path to 400-millisecond and 16-slice technology.