Siemens Healthcare will be unveiling the Acuson SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system, the only one of its kind in the world to capture non-stitched real-time full-volume 3D images of the heart in one single heart cycle, during the European Congress of Radiology, August 30 - September 4, 2008 in Munich, Germany. Called “Echo in a Heartbeat”, this new technological innovation, said Klaus Hambuechen, CEO, Ultrasound, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., allows us to acquire a full volume of the entire heart with 90 degree pyramids. “With a high-volume acquisition rate like this - in one second, every second - acquisition time is dramatically reduced, improving the overall workflow in the echocardiography suite”, he said.

According to the results of a major new clinical trial, adding a screening ultrasound examination to routine mammography reveals more breast cancers than mammography alone. This study also showed that supplemental ultrasound may be beneficial in women at high risk of breast cancer who could not, or would not, otherwise undergo a magnetic resonance imaging scan. The trial, however, also found that adding an ultrasound exam increases the rate of false positive findings and unnecessary biopsies.

According to US researchers who conducted meta-analysis of 33 prospective studies, ultrasound or MRI should be the imaging modality of choice in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While colonoscopy and barium examination can also be used, these methods are time consuming. Moreover, colonoscopy is invasive and may result in perforation in severe ulcerative colitis. Reported sensitivities and specificities of other options, such as ultrasonography, CT, MRI and scintigraphy, vary and, hence, are not extremely reliable.

The latest addition to Royal Philips Electronics’ HD ultrasound products range, the Philips HD7 ultrasound system, works by providing grayscale and color Doppler imaging with one button optimization. It also produces Tissue Harmonic Imaging. The product caters to the basic scanning needs of the high-volume cardiovascular, OB/GYN, anesthesiology, oncology, electro physiology, stress echo, pediatric, orthopedic, urologic, emergency and other arenas.

The system is currently not available in the U.S.