New PET/CT System

Siemens Medical Solutions (www.medical.siemens.com) has released Biograph 64 ™, a new PET/CT system that enables detailed and motion-free images of the heart.

The PET system uses lutetium oxyorthosilicate detector technology, while the CT-system employs new 64-slice technology. These allow much shorter acquisition times when compared to previous PET/CT systems.

"Siemens has taken a leading role in PET/CT imaging. We see a great deal of interest on the part of our customers,“ explained Michael Reitermann, head of the Nuclear Medicine Division at Siemens Medical Solutions. "Today, hybrid systems have taken over more than 95 percent of the PET market. Combined imaging provides physicians with considerably more information, facilitating diagnosis and subsequent therapeutic measures.”

Speech Recognition System for Radiology

MedQuist (www.medquist.com) is offering SpeechQ for Radiology TM, a front-end speech recognition system designed specifically for radiology medical reporting.

Radiologists use the product's front-end speech recognition capability to dictate, edit and authenticate (electronically sign) a report in one session. Flexible workflow choices also allow review and correction by medical editors and accommodate the needs of radiology residents and fellows. In addition, SpeechQ for Radiology can be used as a traditional digital dictation system. Editing the recognized text automatically updates each physician's speech recognition profile, improving speech recognition accuracy.

"Finalized reports created with SpeechQ for Radiology are often available to the patient's physician and caregivers within minutes after a radiographic exam is completed, instead of hours or days," said Terry Cameron, senior vice-president of marketing and business development for MedQuist. "It creates very accurate text after only a few minutes of the physician enrollment process, and the recognition rate quickly improves with ongoing use to maximize the radiologist's productivity."

New Film Reduces Patient Radiation Exposure

Eastman Kodak Company (www.kodak.com) has released an innovative general-purpose medical imaging film that may reduce a patient’s radiation exposure by up to 50 percent.

The KODAK Hyper Speed G Medical Film is the first high-resolution radiographic film in 20 years to offer a significant reduction in radiation dose. The film’s increased speed also reduces the need for retakes when images are blurred because of patient motion. KODAK Hyper Speed G Film comes in standard sizes to be used with existing screens and cassettes.

“Most healthcare providers around the world continue to use film for general radiographic procedures. Therefore our ability to reduce radiation dose, while maintaining high standards for image quality, represents a significant improvement in patient care,” said Betsy Guffey, product line manager for film systems at Kodak’s Health Group.

Smaller Sensor for Image-Guidance Device

The microBIRD ™ guidance device, from Ascension Technology ( www.ascension-tech.com), now has a sensor that is 30 percent smaller than in previous models.

Designed primarily for medical device manufacturers, microBIRD’s new sensor is just 1.3 millimeters (mm) wide, enabling exploration of smaller blood vessels and organs—from the cardiac system and fallopian tubes to bronchial passageways and soft-tissue ducts.

“This sensor size reduction is a significant milestone in our developmental roadmap for microBIRD,” said Ascension Vice-President Jack Scully. “Now we can offer medical device manufacturers sensors small enough to enable 3D guidance and intrabody navigation in places once inaccessible.”

Ascension’s previous 1.8 mm sensor could fit in a larger 7 French catheter, but the new tracker is small enough to fit into the distal tip of a 4 French catheter as well as other flexible instruments such as biopsy needles, probes, robotic end-effectors and endoscopes.

Information for "Product News" came from the manufacturers. Inclusion in this publication should not be construed as a product endorsement by RSNA. To submit product news, send your information and a non-returnable color photo to RSNA News, 820 Jorie Blvd., Oak Brook, IL 60523 or by e-mail to . Information may be edited for purposes of clarity and space.