The SenoScan TrueView from Fischer Imaging offers integrated
CAD software for screening mammography.
Fischer Imaging Corp (Denver, Colo) displays the new SenoScan TrueView Digital
Mammography Scanning System with integrated computer aided detection (CAD)
software for screening mammography. With a push of a button, CAD marks are displayed on
the softcopy SenoScan Review Work Station (RWS) contributing to improved workflow. Fischer
plans to highlight new CAD product solutions for both analog and digital (hybrid)
utilization. CAD products, capable of both analog and digital mammography processing,
should lead to improved cost efficiencies.
Fischer also demonstrates the new MammoTest Select stereotactic breast biopsy table.
New features include the Elite camera to provide better visualization of lesions.
GE Medical Systems (GEMS of Waukesha, Wis) debuts Premium View, a breast algorithm for
the GE Senographe 2000D full-field digital mammography system. The new tool is designed to
increase radiologists diagnostic confidence by optimizing image contrast and
automatically displaying more detailed information to assess breast cancer. Premium View
optimizes the contrast in breast images in one image window, reducing the need for
windowing and additional steps to view the images as well as increasing radiologists
productivity. Premium View also improves visualization of the breast in dense regions
while maintaining peripheral contrast at the skin line and chest wall.
GEMS also is showcasing Seno Advantage. The new multimodality breast imaging
workstation allows physicians to view breast images from MR scans, ultrasound, mammograms,
and PET and PET/CT images.
The company also is touting a recent agreement with CADx Systems, Inc (Quebec, Canada)
to distribute two new computer-aided detection technologies, Second Look and Second Look
AD, new technologies that are compatible with the GE Senographe 2000D.
iCADs new iQ CAD system is specially designed to fit
within the space of smaller mammography clinics.
iCAD (Nashua, NH) demonstrates its new iCAD iQ Computer Aided Detection system. The
product is targeted toward clinics that perform less than 1015 mammography
procedures per day. iQ is designed to fit within the limited space of smaller mammography
clinics and will be priced about 30% below currently available CAD systems.
Also new from iCAD is ClickCAD, a fee-for-procedure program for qualifying womens
health clinics and mammography centers. Under the ClickCAD program, iCAD will install its
iQ systems in mammography clinics at no up-front capital cost to the customer. Clinics
will pay iCAD a fee for each CAD procedure performed.
Kodak (Rochester, NY) brings its works-in-progress CAD system for mammography to RSNA
2003. The system leverages technology acquired from MiraMedica Inc. The system digitizes
film-screen mammograms and highlights areas of the image that represent regions suspicious
of cancer for investigation by radiologists. The systems advanced CAD algorithms
recently received an approvable letter from the FDA.
R2 Technology Inc (Sunnyvale, Calif) shows its ImageChecker DM CAD system. The
technology provides a foundation for the mixed film and digital mammography environment by
offering an integrated solution with an open architecture and a vendor neutral platform to
support CAD processing for analog and digital mammography. The system can transmit CAD
results to multiple display units and to archive systems. These additional capabilities
are part of R2s growing suite of CAD products for digital mammography based on the
companys OmniCAD technology. The ImageChecker DM CAD system will initially support
digital images acquired on the GE Senographe 2000D and will support enhanced
interpretative workflow through the integration of R2s CAD CheckMate display with
PenRad mammography reporting workstations. Future releases will support other full field
digital mammography systems, including Fischer, Hologic/Lorad, and Siemens, and will
integrate with other mammography reporting companies and RIS providers.
R2s new R2004 algorithmfeaturing multiple operating points and introduced
with the new ImageChecker DM CAD systemallows film-based users to choose the
preferred CAD setting that best meets the needs of their practice. The algorithm enables
users to maximize CAD sensitivity or minimize false positive marks, targeting improved
detection and decreased FP rate.
Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, Pa) debuts its digital mammography system, Mammomat
Novation. The Siemens Novation/Opdima combination represents the first all-in-one unit
that is capable of supporting entire digital mammography work-up. Siemens also highlights
its agreement with i3ARCHIVE to distribute the National Digital Mammography Archive (NDMA)
to health care facilities nationwide. This agreement includes marketing, sales, and
research and development activities. Siemens offers NDMA as an integrated part of its
mammography solution.