Newswatch: October 2004

And the Winner Is ...

Industry innovators are recognized for their accomplishments

Kodak wins fifth R&D 100 award

Congratulations to Kodak's MIN-R EV Mammography Screen-Film System for winning a 2004 R&D 100 award, recognizing the 100 most technologically significant products introduced over the past year.

The MIN-R EV Screen-Film System from Eastman Kodak Co's Health Imaging Group (Rochester, NY) has received a 2004 R&D 100 award. Recipients of the award are recognized as having one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced over the past year. According to sources at R&D magazine, sponsor of R&D 100 awards, Kodak's system was recognized for the improvement it brings to early detection of breast cancer. The MIN-R EV film, which provides enhanced visualization of subtle abnormalities in breast tissue, incorporates an asymmetric emulsion that provides both high contrast and wide exposure latitude, resulting in improved imaging in all areas of the breast. A new grain structure and improved intensifying screens deliver increased image sharpness. This is the fifth R&D 100 award that Kodak's Health Imaging Group has achieved.

Siemens ultrasound continues streak of success

Klein Biomedical Consultants (KBC of New York), has ranked Siemens Medical Solutions' Ultrasound Division (Mountain View, Calif) as the number one ultrasound company in the United States for the fourth year in a row, followed by Philips Medical Systems (Bothell, Wash), and GE Healthcare (Waukesha, Wis). The ranking comes from information gathered by KBC regarding total US medical ultrasound revenues. In 2003, Siemens had a gain of 31.4% in the echocardiography market, propelling the company to the top position for the fourth consecutive year.

"Siemens Ultrasound remained strategically focused in its business implementation," said Harvey Klein, PhD, founder and president of KBC. "As a result, [the group was] able to grow its market share in echocardiography in a highly competitive market."

In the 2003 KBC report, Siemens retained the top spot in the radiology ultrasound market in the United States with a total of 46.3% of market share. Additionally, the report shows that unit shipments of the company's flagship Acuson Sequoia ultrasound platform increased 12.3% in 2003, making it the top-selling ultrasound system in the United States for the seventh year in a row. In the radiology high-performance ultrasound system segment, Siemens led all companies with 54% of unit share, and 56% in dollar share, both showing an increase in sales of the Sonoline Antares ultrasound system.

Frost & Sullivan gives nod to Toshiba's technology

Toshiba's Aplio ultrasound system was recognized by Frost & Sullivan.

In its recent study, "Advances in Diagnostic Imaging in North America," Frost & Sullivan (New York) honored the ultrasound business unit of Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS of Tustin, Calif) with the 2004 Technology Innovation Award for its Aplio ultrasound technology. The annual award is given to the company that demonstrates excellence in its industry by spearheading cutting-edge products and concepts.

Aplio offers what TAMS calls an efficient and stress-free workflow by incorporating a remote-controlled environment. The system, which integrates Bluetooth wireless technology, is capable of obtaining tissue Doppler imaging with quantification, a feature that augments the information output by offering better diagnosis.