Siemens Medical Solutions of Malvern, PA, has expanded its Axiom Artis digital angiography line with three new flat-panel digital systems being introduced at this week's RSNA show.
The new units include the Axiom Artis dTA, Axiom Artis dMP, and Axiom Artis dFA. They are differentiated by price and application, ranging from high-end rotational angiography studies to gastrointestinal exams. All are based on the flat-panel detector technology found on other systems in the Axiom Artis line, according to Mark Lothert, MD, Siemens’ business manager for interventional radiology in the company's AX division.
The Axiom Artis dTA is a fast (60° /second in rotation and orbital direction) ceiling-mounted C-arm system for rotational angiography and 3-D imaging. It is targeted at dedicated interventional radiology departments and university hospitals. The dTA is similar to Axiom Artis systems for cardiac applications, but which have smaller flat-panel detectors, Lothert said. The dTA’s detector dimensions are 30 x 40 cm, compared to 20 x 20 cm for the cardiac dTC.
Although the dTA has an optional Leonardo workstation for post-processing, the system gives radiologists the opportunity to work at the display in the exam room. Price will be in the range of $1.85 million, depending upon configuration. Lothert said the system will begin shipping in May 2004.
Siemens will also introduce the dFA and the dMP systems. The dFA is an all-round interventional radiology and vascular surgery system with a rotational speed of 40° /second and a list price of about $1.55 million. Its target market is mid-sized hospitals.
The dMP is a multipurpose unit with a list price in the range of $1.35 million, and covers applications from gastrointestinal imaging to angiography. Its target market is community hospitals. Both the dMP and the dFA are expected to be available in August 2004.
The digital detectors used in the systems are based on Trixell flat-panel technology that Siemens shares with Philips Medical Systems, which is a part-owner of Trixell along with Thales Electron Devices.
The first Axiom Artis dTA system to be installed in the U.S. has just been placed at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, under the direction of chief interventional radiologist Dr. Daniel Croteau. Croteau and his three colleagues had already performed 12 procedures the first three days after installation. Croteau said those procedures included line placements, a pulmonary angiogram, uterine fibroid embolization, a hemodialysis graft evaluation with a central vein angioplasty, a lower extremity angiogram for AV malformation, and biliary procedures.
Croteau said the advantage of a ceiling-mounted C-arm was obvious. "For us it’s the most efficient way to get access to the patient, because we do a lot of TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts) and a lot of transjugular biopsies, accessing groins, both arms, brachial punctures, etc. It’s nice to be able to just swing the C-arm around," he said. "And there is a lot of space around the head of the patient for anesthesia equipment."
The radiologists at Henry Ford also use the optional Leonardo workstation for post-processing of studies, and entering them on the facility's PACS.
All three Axiom Artis systems have Food and Drug Administration clearance. Siemens received a 510(k) for the complete platform two years ago, Lothert said, so this larger detector and platform could be included under that clearance.
By Robert Bruce
AuntMinnie.com contributing writer
November 30, 2003
Related Reading
Siemens debuts Axiom Artis dBC, September 22, 2003
Siemens to debut C-arm with FPD, March 27, 2003
Siemens integrates C-arm with ultrasound, March 4, 2003
Copyright © 2003 AuntMinnie.com
