MAMMOMAT Inspiration Designed To Optimise Breast Screening Procedures Via Smoother Workflow And Increased Patient Comfort

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  Medical Devices;  Breast Cancer
Article Date: 16 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The first Full-Field Direct Digital Mammography system from Siemens has been unveiled. The MAMMOMAT Inspiration has been developed from the input and inspiration of healthcare professionals to combine speed, superior image quality and examination comfort.

The new system is fresh in design to meet the needs of the patient, the user and clinician. New compression technologies, paddle design and mood lighting offer the latest in patient comfort; the isocentric rotation of the X-ray tube and examination functionality have been enhanced to offer easy and fast workflow to improve patient throughput and image resolution of the whole breast is advanced for detailed diagnosis.

The MAMMOMAT Inspiration is also a future proof solution for stereotactic biopsy and to provide 3D imaging using tomosynthesis. A simple upgrade will ensure seamless transition so that the system can offer screening, diagnosis and tomosynthesis on a single digital platform.

Offering 27 seconds between exposure times and 18 seconds between exposure and display of high resolution digital images, the MAMMOMAT Inspiration can examine more than 15 patients per hour. This is highly beneficial in high throughput screening environments that demand speed. Furthermore, a special X-ray tube with a tungsten anode and new AEC algorithms, which individually compute the dose according to the size of the breast and the type of tissue, ensure the lowest possible dose.

"The Inspiration has been inspired directly from the feedback of the people that use mammography systems on a daily basis," said Andrew Pattison, Director of Diagnostic Ultrasound & Women's Health at Siemens. "Every stage of the development process incorporates the views and experiences of mammographers to ensure that our technical offering is ready to embrace the clinical and market challenges."

Barbara Eckersley, Superintendent Radiographer at the Nightingale Centre, Wythenshawe Hospital was a UK member of the Siemens Inspiration product design focus group held in Germany. She states, "It was a fantastic experience to be part of an international feedback group providing views on the ergonomic development of a new mammography system. Many of our ideas on the mammography gantry, user interface, buttons and lighting were absorbed into the development and will assist with eliminating operator stresses and enhance the patient examination experience."

The imaging functionality, compact size and open design of the system is complemented by a unique MoodLight feature that emits soothing colours into the patient examination area. Colour tones can be personally selected by the user to change throughout the screening process to promote relaxation.

The MAMMOMAT Inspiration operates alongside a slender syngo-based Acquisition Workstation. This can be customised to the user's desired height and offers an easy-to-use interface.

The workstation's intuitive interface streamlines workflow to drive patient throughput and simplify the examination process. After one exam is complete, the system will automatically open the scheduler in order to select the next patient. A one-click-to-image function ensures images are gathered quickly, also facilitating improved workflow.

For further detailed product information visit http://www.siemens.co.uk/mammomatinspiration.

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries.

Siemens Healthcare