Look What's Coming!The Perspecta Spatial 3D system from Actuality Systems Inc (Burlington, Mass) enables researchers to explore the use of advanced 3-D image display technology in planning radiation treatment for cancer patients. The system-the world's first commercial spatial 3-D display-consists of a 20-inch dome that plugs into a PC to display full-color and full-motion images in true 3-D space, much like a hologram. The images can be viewed and manipulated from any vantage point around the dome and by any number of users. Its application in medicine includes surgical planning; interventional imaging, such as aligning a surgeon's scalpel or treatment device with a real-time 3-D scan; image-guided tumor ablation; breast biopsy; catheter visualization; and now radiation therapy. The Perspecta Spatial 3D System has not received FDA clearance and is not intended for use in clinical diagnosis, nor may it be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat disease; the system is offered to qualified research institutions only.
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| Aircraft Medical's McGrath endeavors to eliminate blind intubations. |
According to Aircraft Medical (Edinburgh, Scotland), complications during difficult intubations have contributed to an average of 19 deaths or cases of permanent brain damage per month in the United States. To combat these statistics and reduce the need for blind intubations, Aircraft Medical has developed the McGrath, the world's first lightweight and fully portable video laryngoscope. The system provides a direct view of the larynx during intubation and employs a customized micro camera to relay an internal image of the larynx to a small, high-resolution video screen mounted on the device's handle. The McGrath has positive implications for practitioners ranging from anesthesiologists to emergency room physicians.
Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc (TAMS of Tustin, Calif) recently launched the Aquilion LB, a large-bore CT scanner designed specifically to meet clinical oncology needs. A work in progress, its features include the industry's largest bore at 90 cm with an 85-cm display field of view and a 70-cm acquired field of view to better assist oncologists in the diagnosis of cancer and treatment planning. At the heart of the Aquilion LB is the Quantum multi-row CT detector, which provides high-speed, high-resolution imaging with low noise. The Quantum detector improves measurement accuracy and makes scans more useful for quantitative treatment planning and calculation of volume.
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| Gamma Medica's X-PET system integrates PET/CT for preclinical molecular imaging. |
The X-PET system from Gamma Medica (Northridge, Calif) is a high-performance, preclinical PET imaging system, available as part of the company's new FLEX preclinical molecular imaging platform. The FLEX platform also can be outfitted with the company's existing X-O MicroCT system module, making the system the first commercially available integrated PET/CT system for preclinical molecular imaging. In addition to X-PET and X-O, Gamma Medica's X-SPECT MicroSPECT imaging system also can be included in the FLEX gantry. With these options, FLEX is the first such platform in either the preclinical or clinical arena to provide co-linear trimodality imaging, allowing a stationary subject to be imaged by up to three different imaging modalities.
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| Kodak has upgraded its DryView 8900 to print high-resolution digital mammography images. |
Eastman Kodak Co's (Rochester, NY) DryView 8900 laser imaging system recently received a software upgrade for printing high-resolution digital mammography images from full-field digital mammography systems (FFDM) and other approved digital modalities, such as ultrasound and MRI used for mammography. With this upgrade, healthcare providers can print patient mammography images captured by FFDM systems from a range of vendors, as well as produce output from general medical imaging modalities.
The new Ziehm Vario 3D from Ziehm Imaging GmbH (Riverside, Calif) features an isocentric C-arm movement with intraoperative 3-D imaging. The system exhibits such characteristics as compact dimensions and convenient, intuitive handling. The Ziehm Vario 3D has been designed in close collaboration with orthopedic surgeons, traumatologists, and neurosurgeons for everyday use in the hospital. A major focus was placed on coping with the usually tight space conditions in operating rooms. The system's mechanical design includes all functions for conventional fluoroscopy without compromise.
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