CHICAGO - Fujifilm Medical Systems USA today showcased a slew of new products and upgrades to attendees of the RSNA. The company chose to introduce its FCR 5000MA, a computed-radiography-based digital mammography system, to U.S. audiences at the conference.
The FCR5000MA, which is already available in Europe and Asia, is a multi-room, multi-task single plate image reader that features 50-micron and dual-side reading capabilities. The dual-side reading feature allows x-ray information to be simultaneously read from both sides of the plate, resulting in higher detective quantum efficiency and decreased noise compared to the company’s other CR systems.
The system includes three enhanced image processing algorithms: dynamic range control, multi-objective frequency processing, and pattern enhancement processing for mammography. The company is also planning on eventually bundling the FCR 5000MA with a computer-aided detection system currently undergoing beta testing in Japan. U.S. customers can look for product availability in the next 18 months, as the Stamford, CT manufacturer is expecting pre-market authorization from the FDA within that time.
The company rounded out its digital imaging debut with a spotlight on its next-generation cassette-free upright digital imaging system, the ClearView ES. The product features energy subtraction (ES) processing that eliminates artifacts or inconsistencies due to cardiac or patient movement. ES processing is also available as a retrofit to previous ClearView iterations. The digital system can be used for any upright imaging protocol, from chest to pelvis.
The ES can also provide a trio of soft-copy images from a single image capture, separating bone from soft tissue to create three views of pathology.
Fuji’s software team unveiled its Flash IIP console, an integrated ID terminal and quality-control (QC) console. The console offers on-the-spot reprocessing of images that can be sent into the PACS, direct integration into an institution’s HIS/RIS, remote capabilities, and patient ID and worklist management.
The company believes the QC and forward flexibility of the console will increase department efficiency by delivering images where they are needed most. Exposure parameters can be input by a user in a macro-like capability, and then applied via one-step to implement processing. Both DICOM-performed procedure step and storage commit are available as separate options for the console.
The 2.1 version of Fuji’s Web-based PACS, Synapse, was also showcased to audiences at McCormick Place. The upgrade, available at no cost to current Synapse users, features multi-frame image support that permits navigation of large data sets by volume. This capability allows users to dynamically display the hundreds of images common to ultrafast CT and MR studies.
The company has also bundled into its software the capability for the diagnostic radiologist to annotate images with a voice report that can be played back using audio streaming technologies. HIS/RIS integration has been enhanced in this iteration of Synapse with a "power jacket" feature that permits external reports, such as patient history sheets or scanned documents, to be included with patient images in a virtual folder.
Rounding out its product offerings is the debut of Fuji’s latest generation of printers, the DryPix 1000 and DryPix 3000 tabletop thermal printers. Both printers feature internal DICOM firmware boards that enable the products to function as application entity printers on a DICOM network without need of a print server.
The 1000 model accepts 8" x 10" and 10" x 14" film sizes and the 3000 model handles 14" x 17" film. The thermal print heads have been completely retooled and boast both low-heat generation and nearly silent operation. The thermal heads are guaranteed for three years of operation, or 50,000 films. In addition, both models have clearbase and bluebase films available for consumer use.
By Jonathan S. Batchelor
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
November 26, 2001
For the rest of our coverage of the 2001 RSNA meeting, go to our RADCast@RSNA 2001.
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