See More, Do More: Siemens Highlights New Generation of Interventional Imaging Systems...

See More, Do More: Siemens Highlights New Generation of Interventional Imaging
Systems for Cardiology at ACC
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 (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
SOURCE Siemens Healthcare

Tom Schaffner of Siemens Healthcare, +1-610-448-1477,
thomas.schaffner@siemens.com