Multimodality vendor GE Healthcare of Waukesha, WI, has secured an exclusive license on a technique patented by an Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) obstetrician that can automate the acquisition of ultrasound images used by physicians to diagnose fetal heart defects. GE will use the software in its 3D/4D ultrasound systems.
Dr. Alfred Abuhamad, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at EVMS, developed the automation protocol, which is called sonography-based volume computer-aided diagnosis (SonoVCAD). The protocol automates the acquisition of images to display planes that are needed for a complete ultrasound evaluation of the fetal heart.
With the software, an ultrasound clinician identifies a standard starting point for the four-chamber view of the fetal heart. Algorithms allow the other planes to be generated from that four-chamber view, giving physicians the ability to identify the type and severity of fetal heart defects.
GE has incorporated the automation protocol into its Voluson E8 scanner, the next generation of the GE Voluson ultrasound platform for women's healthcare, the company said.
Related Reading
GE Healthcare gets FDA warning on x-ray equipment, December 6, 2007
GE to offer PACSHealth software, December 5, 2007
GE RSNA highlights include new CT, MRI, molecular technologies, November 26, 2007
GE, iCAD partner, November 21, 2007
GE debuts Centricity OneView, November 21, 2007
Copyright © 2007 AuntMinnie.com
