Chest Imaging Software Offers Increased Clarity and Improved Nodule Detection

New chest imaging technology suppresses ribs and clavicles on chest X-rays to produce a soft tissue image that increases clarity and improves the detection of lung nodules.

This technology utilizes existing X-ray equipment to provide a soft tissue image for digital chest X-rays. The software delivers no additional radiation dose to the patient and does not require any additional patient procedures or specialized equipment.

Riverain Medical (Dayton, OH, USA), an image enhancement and computer-aided detection company focused on providing physicians with tools to assist in image interpretation, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the SoftView Enhanced chest imaging technology.

SoftView uses image processing and pattern recognition technologies to suppress bone in the chest X-ray. The resulting soft tissue image improves the visibility of tissue within the lung. Studies from the University of Chicago (IL, USA) revealed that using SoftView considerably improves the visibility of lung nodules and improves the radiologist's accuracy for detecting small (9 mm - 30 mm) lung cancers on chest radiographs without the need for specialized equipment or increased radiation dose to the patient.

"We found in two studies that SoftView can improve a radiologist's accuracy and sensitivity,” explained Dr. Heber MacMahon, radiologist and professor at the University of Chicago. "The technology makes lung nodules more conspicuous, especially when they're hiding behind ribs and clavicles and it achieves this without additional radiation dose to the patient or specialized equipment.”

"SoftView is now available in the United States, Europe, Canada, and Australia, and has gone through rigorous multireader, multicase studies to validate its effectiveness. We have conducted an impressive amount of analysis to get where we are today with this clearance,” remarked Diane Hirakawa, CEO and chairman of Riverain Medical. "We are excited to enter the U.S. market with a unique product that will offer significant clinical value to radiologists and their patients.”

Riverain Medical provides physicians with tools to assist them in image interpretation. With a focus on early detection, Riverain Medical continues research and development efforts to advance new and existing imaging technologies for a variety of clinical applications.

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