ECR_2015

EUROPEAN HOSPITAL Vol 24 Issue 1/15 16 EH @ ECR Two hospitals independently select Japanese equipment Seeking the best systemsWhen the Medical Radiological Institute (MRI) at the private Bethanien Hospital in Zurich and the local hospital in Ærø, Denmark, needed new fluoroscopy and radiog- raphy equipment, they investigated quality, functionality, service quality and cost. Among systems examined was Shimadzu’s Sonialvision G4, which has been completely revised, with innovations in all areas, includ- ing dose reduction and enhanced image quality, simplified processes and improved patient comfort. ‘The premium application software offers the most recent improvements for diagnostic imaging. It supports use- ful applications, such as multi-slice imaging, slot radiography as well as DSA & real-time and motion- tolerant RSM-DSA, which are all options to extend its functionality,’ Shimadzu explains. Multi-purpose needs in Switzerland Dr Thomas Vollrath, board certi- fied radiologist said that the MRI Bethanien needed to increase capac- ity with optimum use of existing space. Fujifilm Switzerland present- ed the institute with a multi-pur- pose examination room containing Shimadzu’s high-performance R/F- system Sonialvision G4, combined with a ceiling-mounted 3-D X-ray tube support, a bucky stand and an additional mobile FPD. Up to this, the institute had different systems in two rooms. The Sonialvision G4 now combines the former applica- tions for fluoroscopy and radiogra- phy in one small examination room of only 27 m². ‘This offers us the great advantage of patients no longer having to be moved, which is very comfortable for them,’ notes Franziska Bissig, supervising radiographer. ‘The mobile FPD is compatible with our second X-ray room and offers usad- ditional flexibility for further emer- gency and bedside examinations.’ Equipped with the largest avail- able FPD at 43 x 43 cm, the X-ray table of the Sonialvision G4 offers large, long-view examinations of the patient from head to toe, so that the MRI Bethanien can also perform digital slot radiography. Very soon, slot radiography pro- vides high-resolution, homogene- ous and dose-reduced long-view imaging (e.g. full leg and full spine imaging). ‘We have been able to improve in all respects,’ Dr Vollrath concludes. ‘The Shimadzu system is simply newer, more modern and more manageable.’ Bissig confirms that the image quality and intuitive operation shortening work processes soon convinced staff of its value. The combination of X-ray tube and detector covering the examina- tion area more than 200 cm longitu- dinally without the tabletop having to be positioned is also welcome. ‘In our small examination room we can thus avoid any possible colli- sions, for example with infusion stands,’ Bissig adds. ‘It’s also very helpful that the patient mattress can be fixed to the top lateral mounting while standing and that the handles can be fixed quickly and easily.’ Roughly 30 km long and up to 8 km wide, Ærø is one of Denmark’s Baltic Sea islands. The local hospital recently installed the first Sonialvision G4 equipment in that country; therefore the hospital will be used as a reference when new customers want to see how it operates. An X-ray image presented in two minutes For Ole Gilberg, head of the X-ray department, the new equipment has much to offer: ‘Earlier, it took 10 minutes to produce an image. With the new equipment we can present an X-ray image in two minutes, which means a lot when we have trauma patients from a car accident, for instance.’ In addition, the robust X-ray table can be lowered to 47 cm, thus giving easier access for children, older patients or patients with lim- ited mobility. It also allows bariatric studies with a patient load up to 318 kg in horizontal position. Another plus: ‘The fully flat table top and built-in cable system of the X-ray table is a good improvement in terms of hygiene and workload,’ Gilberg adds. Details: www.shimadzu-medical.eu Celebrating its 140th anniver- sary in 2015, Shimadzu sits among leading international manufacturers of analytical instrumentation and diagnostic X-ray imaging systems. The firm’s technologies are essential tools for quality control of consum- er goods and articles of daily use, in healthcare as well as all areas of environmental and consumer pro- tection. Spectroscopy, chromatog- raphy, environmental analysis, bal- ances, biotechnology, material test- ing and medical technology make up a homogeneous yet versatile offering. Along with many ‘industry first’ technologies and products that Shimadzu has created and invented since 1875, there has also been the exceptional awarding of the 2002 Nobel Prize for Chemistry to Shimadzu engineer Koichi Tanaka for his outstanding contributions in the field of mass spectrometry. As a global player, Shimadzu operates production facilities and distribution centres in 76 countries, with more than 10,000 employees worldwide. For over 45 years the European headquarters has been Continued f Japanese firm celebrate 1896 - One year after Dr Roentgen discovered X-rays, Shimadzu succeeded in producing an X-ray image 1909 - Shimadzu developed the first medical X-ray device made in Japan. Ever since, Shimadzu has pioneered medical X-ray devices 1934 - With the development of Japan’s first spectrograph, Shimadzu advanced into the field of analytical instruments 1936 – The company began to manufacture aircraft equipment 1951 - Shimadzu began to increase the number of exports to global markets 1956 - Development of Japan’s first gas chromatograph 1960 - Shimadzu developed a vacuum quantometer, which served as a major stimulus to the steel industry 1961 - Shimadzu created a remote- A FEW SHIMADZU MI From left: Bethanian project managers Paul R Hilfiker MD, supervising radiographer Franziska Bissig and Thomas Vollrath MD The robust X-ray table allows bariatric studies with a patient load up to 318 kg in horizontal position

ECR_2015

Pages Overview