Malvern, PA, March 4, 2003 – Siemens Medical Solutions will introduce AXIOM Artis TA, a ceiling mounted universal angiography C-arm system, at the 28th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR), which will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 27-April 1. The new angiography system enables comprehensive routine diagnoses with advanced 3D image quality, maximum radiation protection and optimal network connectivity.
The AXIOM Artis TA is excellent for vascular and non-vascular diagnostic rou-tines, as well as interventional procedures. The system is particularly suited to the requirements of universal angiography, cardiac angiography, and neuroradiology. It is also the first C-arm system from Siemens equipped with an integrated ultrasound solution, arming clinicians with an additional device that helps to improve diagnosis and treatment for their patients. “Speed, flexibility, and integration are the key features of this new AXIOM Artis TA system,” said Claus Grill, Segment Manager Interventional Radiography/Neuro-Radiology, Siemens Medical Solutions. “The Artis TA is a high-end solution that rounds out the AXIOM C-arm product family. The permanent availability of ultrasound supports the physician with additional information during the diagnosis or interventional procedure, and makes observation during follow-up possible without subjecting the patient to additional radiation.”
The AXIOM Artis TA features the newest addition to the Siemens product portfolio, the CareShuttle transport system. The patient is prepared for the procedure directly on the special CareShuttle tabletop, which can then be moved to the AXIOM Artis TA. While the patient is on the table, the tabletop is attached to the Artis system table, eliminating the need for patient repositioning and detaching vital signs monitoring before and after the procedure. The CareShuttle transport system provides flexible, easy-to-use patient handling.
The AXIOM Artis TA has a ceiling-mounted C-arm, providing optimal patient access from all sides. The C-arm speed allows for excellent rotational angiography and 3D reconstruction applications. Virtually all system controls are right at the clinicians fingertips with an integrated system control box mounted directly at the examination table, saving time and simplifying both diagnoses and interventional procedures.
“Software-supported image optimization programs are designed to provide high-contrast display of even the smallest vascular structures and automatically determine the optimal exposure values,” noted Grill. “The result is excellent image quality at the lowest possible dose.“
Siemens C.A.R.E. (Combined Application to Reduce Exposure) program provides superior radiation protection for both the patients and technicians. During the examination, special copper prefiltering automatically adapts filter strength to the density of the respective body region. Using the Careprofile, collimators and filters can be set for the region of the body to be examined without the use of radiation. Pulsed fluoroscopy also provides significant dose reduction.
Because of their unique operating concept, all system solutions in the AXIOM Artis product family help the clinician establish efficient examination and therapeutic processes. Benefits that enable time savings and workflow improvements include easy-to-use, largely automated procedures, and Siemens standard software platform, called syngo. These benefits can also result in shorter wait times and faster treatment for patients. Integrated DICOM interfaces in all AXIOM Artis systems provide seamless network connectivity and communication, allowing data exchange with the hospital’s information technology (IT) environment. Multi-modality viewing in the examination room provides the physician with additional diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, and enables access to images from previous examinations acquired using other modalities.
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. From imaging systems for diagnosis, to therapy equipment for treatment, to patient monitors to hearing instruments and beyond, Siemens innovations contribute to the health and well-being of people across the globe, while improving operational efficiencies and optimizing workflow in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and doctors' offices. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.4 billion EUR and EBIT of 1 billion EUR for fiscal 2002.
