See More, Do More: Siemens Highlights New Generation of Interventional Imaging Systems for Cardiology at ACC
01 April 2008 - 2:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
New Artis zee Family Provides Interventional Cardiologists with
Enhanced Imaging for Faster, More Precise Procedures CHICAGO, March
31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- According to the American Heart
Association, cardiovascular disease ranks as America's No. 1
killer, with an average of one death every 37 seconds. Poor eating
habits, lack of exercise and the obesity epidemic have contributed
to the surge of Americans with cardiac issues. To address this
nationwide crisis, the medical community has stepped up by
developing holistic cardiology solutions that not only provide
earlier and better detection, but also enable doctors to treat
cardiac patients with less invasive surgery. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO ) In
response, Siemens Healthcare (http://www.siemens.com/healthcare)
has introduced the Artis zee(R) family -- its next generation of
interventional imaging systems for cardiology, offering enhanced
image quality, optimized workflow, and increased return on
investment. Siemens will be showcasing the new Artis zee family at
the 57th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of
Cardiology (ACC) from March 29 through April 1 at booth # 3006. One
of the first facilities in North America to receive Artis zee
systems is Bethesda Heart Institute in Boynton Beach, Fla. "Artis
zee from Siemens is extremely fast and provides superb imaging,"
said Dr. Louis D. Snyder, Medical Director, Bethesda Heart
Institute. "The imaging enhancements mean we can see vessel edges
more clearly and position stents with greater confidence resulting
in more effective treatment for our patients, as well as greater
efficiencies in our workflow." The innovativeness of the Artis zee
family is exemplified by the recently FDA 510(k) cleared Artis
zeego(R), which extends imaging capabilities through virtually
unrestricted C-arm positioning. The ability to deliver two non-
concentric rotations supports advanced cross-sectional imaging,
which is not achievable with traditional C-arm systems. The Artis
zeego makes it possible for the position of the isocenter to be
adjusted according to the procedural needs or the height of the
physician, which is particularly beneficial to a physician during
lengthy procedures, while wearing a heavy lead-shielded apron.
Furthermore, the Artis zeego can be parked compactly to give the
clinical team easier access to the patient, making it ideal for
hybrid rooms. Additionally, Frost & Sullivan recently selected
the Artis zeego as winner of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan
Technology Innovation Award at their Excellence in Medical
Technologies Awards banquet. Faster, More Effective Procedures The
entire Artis zee family of systems features an enhanced imaging
chain -- spanning acquisition to processing and documentation --
that delivers sharply detailed images required for interventional
procedures, enhances clarity in 2D imaging, and enables an array of
3D imaging applications to help enhance clinical decision-making.
"The interventional cardiologist now faces greater demands than
ever as the number of minimally invasive procedures grows and the
need to visualize fine vessels and small devices is increasingly
critical," said Claus Grill, Vice President, Angiography, Cardiac,
and X-ray Systems, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "Siemens
developed the Artis zee portfolio of products to provide clinicians
with excellent image quality, enabling them to diagnose and treat
with greater speed, efficiency and precision, all the while
improving patient outcomes and workflow." From 2D to 4D: Imaging a
moving structure, such as the heart, has always been a challenge.
Now, with the Artis zee, outstanding image quality is provided from
2D fluoroscopy and 3D imaging and even a 4D image application,
where the time phases of the heartbeat are taken into account. In
2D fluoroscopy, features like advanced temporal filtration use an
intelligent motion detection algorithm. This technology separates
moving from non-moving structures in real time to improve the
clarity of therapeutic instruments. Intelligent noise reduction
enables high image quality during live fluoroscopy and acquisition
by significantly reducing quantum noise without an increase in
radiation exposure dose. Stent and vessel visualization: Artis zee
enables clinicians to see vessel edges more precisely than ever
before, providing for improved stent positioning within seconds,
which can be particularly difficult in obese patients. Stents and
other interventional devices are becoming less radio- opaque,
making visualization under fluoroscopy more difficult. Siemens IC
stent, an automatic processing algorithm, is a tool that enhances
stent visualization by combining multiple images and compensating
for motion between images through a registration process. The fully
automated process uses the gold markers of the deployment balloon
as reference points. Images are automatically shifted and rotated
to match the gold markers summed together to form a final image
with a clearer visibility of the stent. Additionally, Siemens
syngo(R) DynaCT Cardiac, widens the 3D spectrum to 4D. By using
rotational angiography and special reconstruction algorithms, syngo
DynaCT Cardiac creates CT-like images of the beating heart right in
the electrophysiology lab. During acquisition, it can use an
ECG-triggered mode to acquire only images from the same heart
phase. With this feature it is now possible to reconstruct 4D
images of the heart and its vessels during the procedure. Enhanced
workflow: The Artis zee systems are designed to streamline
workflows and create efficiencies to help keep pace with increased
interventional volume. Intuitive, menu-driven workflows streamline
such procedures as obtaining soft tissue results for both frequent
and infrequent users. The Artis zee family also enables all system
movements to be easily controlled with one ergonomic tableside
device. Configurable to each customer's unique needs: The Artis zee
family is available in floor-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and biplane
configurations including magnetic navigation, as well as the
multi-axis Artis zeego. In addition to improving patient outcomes
within the cardiology suite, Artis zee is also available for the
interventional radiology and operating room environments, as well.
About Siemens Healthcare Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's
largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a
renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and
innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as
well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology
and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics
acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated
diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics,
therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions,
supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare
delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from
prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The
company employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and operates in
130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens
Healthcare reported sales of euros 9.85 billion, orders of euros
10.27 billion, and group profit of euros 1.32 billion. Further
information can be found by visiting
http://www.siemens.com/healthcare
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070904/SIEMENSLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare CONTACT:
Tom Schaffner of Siemens Healthcare, +1-610-448-1477, Web site:
http://www.siemens.com/healthcare
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