Siemens Sets The Standard For Image Quality At AIUM 2011

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Article Date: 15 Apr 2011 - 2:00 PDT


With the most impressive imaging enhancements on its premium ACUSON S2000™ ultrasound system, combined with the latest Siemens-exclusive clinical applications and advanced 3D/4D imaging capabilities, Siemens Healthcare (booth #307) will demonstrate the clinical benefits of advanced imaging performance at the 2011 annual convention of the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) in New York City.

Raising the Bar for Image Quality

A recent software update featuring a powerful new imaging algorithm for the ACUSON S2000 system has taken image quality and optimization to new levels. Advanced imaging technologies such as Dynamic TCE™ Tissue Contrast Enhancement technology and Advanced SieClear™ spatial compounding provide improved speckle reduction and contrast resolution for further enhanced clarity, color and penetration, revealing extraordinary detail in all exam types and all transducers. These latest image quality enhancements offer reduced haze and noise for cleaner, crisper images - especially in breast imaging - leading to advanced diagnostic confidence and higher clinical flexibility.

Greater Accuracy through Next Generation Tissue Strain Analytics

Highlights on the ACUSON S2000 system are Virtual Touch™ Tissue Imaging¹, and Virtual Touch™ Tissue Quantification¹, Siemens' implementations of Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (ARFI). "With Virtual Touch HD technology, we have introduced our second generation of tissue strain imaging, which offers even greater sensitivity and accuracy," said Dr. Norbert Gaus, CEO, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. "It allows the clinician to confidently obtain accurate quantification of lesion tissue stiffness, further enhancing clinical insight into suspicious findings."

Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification uniquely introduced the ability to use ultrasound to provide a numerical value related to tissue stiffness at a precise anatomical location, which is highly promising in identifying early stages of liver diseases causing cirrhosis. Newly available on the 9L4 transducer, the technology provides increased flexibility to encompass a broader range of imaging, giving physicians the tools they need to accurately analyze small parts, including breast and thyroid.

"These leading-edge technologies redefine the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis, treatment, and therapy of diseases affecting areas of the body that cannot be examined through physical palpation," said Dr. Gaus.

Fast and Efficient Real-time Fusion Imaging*

In its Innovations Booth at this year's AIUM, Siemens will highlight its unique image fusion technology, which integrates real-time ultrasound with other modalities like CT and MRI.

Conventional fusion techniques can take up to 30 minutes to set up and often require several attempts. Also, patients need to lie completely still during the entire exam - which can be unrealistic and impractical - or the setup must be repeated. The Siemens fusion solution incorporates proprietary technology that automatically aligns the CT or MRI image to the current ultrasound view. This approach dramatically accelerates workflow and improves the accuracy of image alignment, allowing fusion imaging to be seamlessly integrated into existing practice.

Pioneering the Third Dimension

Siemens also will showcase its exclusive syngo®.fourSight™ Workplace image management software - a solution that brings a new dimension to volume imaging with true stereoscopic views of 3D images. Developed using 3D Vision technology from NVIDIA® Corporation, syngo.fourSight Workplace creates a 3D imaging experience that is more immersive, detailed, and realistic than ever before. Using stereoscopic glasses and high-end professional graphics solutions, the technology creates the most stunning 3D/4D images of the fetus that parents and doctors are able to view in true 3D. "This technology takes 3D/4D ultrasound imaging to the next level," said Gaus. "syngo.fourSight Workplace offers a truly remarkable ultrasound experience that's rewarding for expectant parents and their doctors, while also delivering practical benefits in medicine."

The clinical images are further enhanced using Amnioscopic Rendering, a Siemens-exclusive technology that produces realistic 3D images by diffusing a user-movable light source into the imaged structure, resulting in a more accurate representation of the fetus. This quality improvement may provide additional information to the physician and assist in communication between surgeons and patients or aid in treatment or surgical planning.

* Work in progress

1. Not commercially available in the USA.

Source:
Siemens Healthcare Sector

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