Siemens showcases advanced ultrasound solutions
At the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2010 in Vienna, Siemens Healthcare
presented its innovative ultrasound solutions. The highlight this year was the new release of its premium Acuson S2000 ultrasound system featuring significant advancements in ARFI technology (Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging) for the detection and quantification of tissue. Combined with a 3D breast volume scanner (ABVS), the Acuson S2000 is suited particularly for breast cancer diagnosis in women with dense breast tissue. In addition, Siemens introduced its latest mid-range ultrasound system, the Acuson X300 Premium Edition (PE) for routine clinical examinations. Thanks to ever-improving image acquisition, physicians have much greater diagnostic confidence with shorter examination times.
The latest version of the Acuson S2000 ultrasound system Release 2.0 from Siemens contains improved implementations of the ARFI technology. This method supports the physician in detecting and quantifying tissue. Using the two ARFI software solutions “Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging” and “Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification”, the physician detects and measures the strain properties or stiffness of tissue, which may be correlated with pathology. These leading-edge solutions redefine the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis, treatment, and therapy of diseases affecting areas of the body that are difficult to examine with physical palpation, for example the liver. Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification currently is the only ARFI application in the industry to provide a numerical value related to tissue stiffness at a precise anatomical location. It is highly promising in identifying early stages of liver diseases causing cirrhosis.
New Acuson S2000 system with ABVS breast scanner
The new Acuson S2000 ultrasound system can also be used in diagnosing breast cancer:
equipped with the world’s first breast volume scanner, the physician or hospital personnel can acquire volume images of the female breast automatically using this innovative system. The breast scanner enables higher early detection rates of breast cancer particularly in women with dense breast tissue. The result is a user-independent and standardized examination. The uniquely designed transducer of the ABVS breast scanner generates volume images that for the first time show the coronal view of the breast – from the nipple to the breast wall – a view that previously could not be shown using conventional ultrasound.
Conventional hand held breast ultrasound is time-consuming and requires a high level of
operator expertise, which is why ultrasound’s role in breast imaging has often been that of a
secondary modality to look at a palpable mass identified on a mammogram. “The Automated
Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS) has the potential to change that,” said Dr. Norbert Gaus,
CEO of the Ultrasound business unit at Siemens Healthcare. “The system automatically
acquires full-field sonographic volumes of the breast for comprehensive review and
diagnosis, streamlining workflow and reducing operator dependence and variability. At the
same time, automated acquisition reduces scan time to approximately 10 minutes.”
Acuson X300 Premium Edition all-round system for the clinical routine
The powerful Acuson X300 PE mid-range ultrasound system is a highly-developed all-round
system especially suited to the requirements of the daily clinical routine. The compact system
delivers exceptional performance across a wide variety of applications, from general imaging to cardiovascular and OB/GYN. The latest edition of the Acuson X300 offers contrast agent imaging, fourSight 4D imaging technology, and integrated stress echo. Anatomical M-mode, DTI Doppler Tissue Imaging technology, and TEE Imaging – including 3D imaging – complete the package.
04.03.2010
