Medtech Exhibitors Connect at RSNA 2005

More than 26,000 radiologists and allied medical professionals convened in Chicago at the end of November for the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA; Oakbrook, IL). Billed by the organizer as the largest medical convention in the world, the week-long event featured its largest-ever exhibition hall, spanning 489,359 ft and filled with 718 exhibitors, including 130 first-timers. Overall attendance, including medical professionals, guests, exhibitors, and media, surpassed 61,000.

Philips Medical Systems highlighted its iSite PACS solution.

The latest advances in the full range of imaging modalities were on display, including x-ray, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, positron emission tomography, nuclear medicine, and hybrid products that incorporate more than one imaging technology. Radiology’s pacesetting position in systems connectivity and the move

Siemens Medical Solutions introduced the Somatom Definition, a dual-source CT scanner.

to adopt electronic health records was evidenced in both the exhibit hall and in the technical sessions. RSNA 2005 prominently featured the latest advances in digital radiology, picture archiving and communications systems (PACS), and an array of products and services that enable integration, interoperability, and full networking capability within and beyond the hospital setting.

GE Healthcare launched a new line of CT scanners called BrightSpeed.

The event allowed exhibitors to demonstrate their equipment in a near real-world setting. RSNA 2005 provided both wired and wireless local area networks across multiple exhibit halls, which served to approximate a modern hospital environment with an information technology (IT) infrastructure. Known as RSNAnet, the network also allowed attendees and exhibitors to check e-mail, view and exchange PACS-based radiological images, access complete event schedule information, and surf the Web using laptops, tablet personal computers, and personal digital assistants.

Eastman Kodak introduced RSNA attendees to the Direct View DR 3000, its new multipurpose digital radiology system.

This year’s educational program at RSNA featured keynote addresses, educational sessions, an interventional oncology demonstration, refresher courses in traditional and cutting-edge radiology applications, scientific papers and posters, and the InfoRad demonstration area, which showcased computer applications in radiologic education and information management.

Dictaphone Corp. demonstrated PowerScribe, an integrated speech recognition, digital dictation, and transcription system.

Systems connectivity and integration of the healthcare enterprise has been a major focus of RSNA for many years. The following provide just a small sampling of the many products and equipment on display this year.

• Philips Medical Systems (Andover, MA) highlighted its iSite PACS solution, an image and information management system that delivers on-demand diagnostic-quality images over existing hospital networks while providing “always online” long-term storage.

• Siemens Medical Solutions (Malvern, PA) introduced the Somatom Definition, a dual-source CT scanner capable of imaging full cardiac detail with as much as 50% less radiation exposure compared with traditional CT. The company says its ability to capture the image of a beating heart is “quicker than a heartbeat.”

Agfa-Gevaert NV emphasized the integrated work flow concept of its Impax Enterprise system.

• GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK) launched a new line of CT scanners, called BrightSpeed, that include much of the technology available on GE’s volume CT system, LightSpeed VCT, but in a smaller configuration.

• Eastman Kodak (Rochester, NY) introduced RSNA attendees to the Direct View DR 3000, its new multipurpose digital radiology system. A spokesperson said the flexibility, compact size, and operating ease of the new unit would be of particular interest to mid-size hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, and orthopedic practices.

Varian Medical Systems demonstrated its PaxScan image detectors during RSNA 2005.

• Dictaphone Corp. (Stratford, CT) demonstrated PowerScribe, an integrated speech recognition, digital dictation, and transcription system optimized for radiologist self-editing. The system integrates with leading PACS and radiology information systems, allowing radiologists to review and electronically sign reports immediately following dictation.

• Agfa-Gevaert NV (Mortsel, Belgium) emphasized the integrated work flow concept of its Impax Enterprise system, which includes the building blocks for an electronic health record along with its Impax 6.0 PACS network. Impax Enterprise is designed to match the exact needs of its users, including hospital administrators, clinicians, IT managers, radiologists, PACS administrators, and technicians.

• Varian Medical Systems (Palo Alto, CA) demonstrated its detectors for converting x-rays into electronic data for the rapidly expanding digital radiography and three-dimensional cone-beam CT market. Varian PaxScan image detectors have been incorporated into systems for surgery, angiography, cardiac catheterization, gastrointestinal imaging, dental imaging, and veterinary medicine.

More RSNA highlights, as well as a complete exhibitor list, can be found at http://rsna2005.rsna.org. RSNA 2006 will be held November 26–30 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

 

© 2005 Canon Communications LLC

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