Being venturesome in business can pay off. And the Somatom Definition, the world's first CT scanner with two X-ray tubes, has the sales figures to prove it. Since its market launch at the end of 2005, this system has already been installed over 500 times in leading clinics throughout the world. This proves that dual-source technology is in demand not only in research, but in routine diagnostics as well. Siemens is still the only company capable of manufacturing dual-source CTs. Dual-source computed tomography meets the most important demand placed on medical technology by cardiologists and radiologists: To generate the highest quality and most detailed images of quickly or irregularly beating hearts – and to achieve this at only half the radiation dose in comparison to other systems currently available on the market. Moreover, the system can simultaneously generate different energy levels with its two X-ray tubes. This makes it possible to determine the type, composition and perfusion of the tissue concerned also in routine diagnostics. Due to its high scan speed and especially large bore of 78 centimeters, today Dual Source CT is also preferred for emergency care and overweight patients. More

Mammomat Inspiration, the digital mammography platform designed by Siemens and designaffairs, has received the iF Product Design Award 2009 and the red dot award: product design 2009. The device for the early detection of breast cancer shows that ease of use, high functionality, and unique design come together beautifully in a single medical engineering product. More

Siemens Healthcare and Disney are introducing a children’s book to the clinical laboratory and physician communities to educate children and parents about the diagnosis and management of allergies. Mickey and the Giant Kachoo!, featuring Disney’s Mickey Mouse, highlights a blood test to help identify allergens that trigger allergic reactions, one that’s simpler than a traditional skin-prick test and poses no risk of a severe reaction. More

The most reliable method of diagnosing gout is to aspirate the joint in order to obtain fluid to verify the presence of monosodium urate crystals (uric acid). Up to now, computed tomography (CT) has played a limited role in the evaluation of gout, since conventional CT systems cannot reliably verify deposits of uric acid. However, a current study at the Vancouver General Hospital in Canada gives rise to speculation that dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) could radically change the management of this disease. DECT enables fast, noninvasive examinations and, based on initial evaluations, has the potential to surpass the clinical examination in terms of identifying subclinical disease.. Investigations have confirmed the high sensitivity of the DECT method in detecting uric acid deposits. The Canadian scientists used the SOMATOM Definition computed tomography (CT scanner) from Siemens for their investigation. This system is the only CT scanner worldwide that features two X-ray tubes capable of simultaneously producing different energies. More

For surgical interventions, physicians increasingly use modern navigation technologies comparable. With Cappa C-Nav, Siemens Healthcare offers an optical navigation system that is especially suitable for spinal as well as trauma surgery. The new navigation system enables surgeons to perform interventions with greater safety and precision. Additionally, the method also minimizes radiation exposure to the patient as well as the OR staff. Siemens will introduce Cappa C-Nav for the first time at the Congress of the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (EFORT) in Vienna from June 3 – 6, 2009. More

The new application syngo iFlow from Siemens Healthcare makes it possible for the first time to demonstrate a complete digital subtraction angiography (DSA) sequence in a single color image. Previously, multiple black and white image frames had to be reviewed to visualize the contrast medium flow through the blood vessels. Now with the colors of syngo iFlow the representation of contrast from its initial entry into the blood vessels to its flow throughout can be shown in one image. More

Effective immediately, Siemens Healthcare is offering EHP4 (Enhancement Package 4) for its i.s.h.med hospital information system (HIS). In keeping with the new HIS development strategy "i.s.h.med goes Soarian," design features of the Soarian HIS have been integrated in i.s.h.med for the first time. For example, the new ward documentation workstation for i.s.h.med now features a new user interface with a Soarian-oriented operating concept. Other innovations offered by EHP4 include e.g. an integrated graphic curve, the "OP" documentation workstation, bed allocation management compatible with SOA (service oriented architecture), as well as supplements to the Medication module for a more extensive and more efficient prescription process. More

The software developers at Siemens Healthcare have come up with something special for customers employing Siemens PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) and RIS (Radiology Information System) software: Clinical staff members process their specific tasks via "role-based portals". These portal applications are tailored to the respective users and workplaces. Therefore, each application offers precisely those functions the staff member needs for his/her tasks. Siemens developed this portal concept according to the "User Centered Design" method. By combining the practical clinical experience of many customers and users with medical knowledge and modern user ergonomics, developers created an innovative user interface which demonstrably enhances radiology workflows. Three applications of this type are already on the market: The Syngo Portal Radiologist and Syngo Portal Referring Physician support efficient workflow for diagnostic processes relating to all aspects of radiology. Furthermore, Siemens recently introduced the Syngo Portal Transcriptionist, which simplifies the transcription of medical texts for transcriptionists and secretaries. More

Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/diagnostics) introduces the RAPIDPoint 340 and 350 Blood Gas Analyzers for the low- to mid-volume critical care patient testing sites. These two low-maintenance models are small, easy-to-use cartridge-based systems. The simplicity of these systems is ideal for operators in a variety of critical care testing sites including intensive care units, operating or emergency rooms, and the clinical laboratory. More