X-Ray Tubes, Flat Panel Technology Improve Image Quality, Increase Throughput, and Reduce Costs

New X-ray and flat panel technology is designed to enhance the higher throughput requirements of direct capture imaging.

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (Palo Alto, CA, USA) introduced innovative new X-ray tube and flat panel technology at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago, IL, USA, from November 28-December 02, 2010. "To meet the increased demands of the imaging market, we've developed technically advanced X-ray tube and panel solutions that can be cost effective and offer the benefit of increased patient throughput,” said Stephen Kimmel, vice president sales and marketing for Varian's Salt Lake City, UT, USA-based X-ray products operation.

The new products highlighted at RSNA are designed to work together to improve image quality, increase throughput, and reduce the overall cost per procedure: The new PaxScan 3024M flat panel detector is designed for full-field digital mammography. The compact design, incorporating a narrow edge and rapid image-acquisition capabilities, enables radiologists to acquire images close to the chest wall with immediate results. This architecture is based on amorphous silicon (a-Si) design allowing rapid frame rates for advanced mammographic applications. Moreover, this new product promises to extend the capabilities of digital mammography into emerging markets where its environmental stability makes it an attractive option over existing technologies.

To complement the direct capture panel, Varian Medical displayed a diverse line of mammography X-ray tubes designed to optimize the imaging and throughput performance capabilities of the panel. "The newest mammography tube, the M-1500 provides exceptional performance in a space efficient design,” said Dennis Runnoe, vice president Varian's research and development engineering. "This revolutionary design provides for high throughput and performance in specialized applications--such as CT mammography. Continuing our commitment to innovation, we will highlight other tubes designed for space efficiency and high performance. These will also represent the new generation of diagnostic tubes incorporating much of what we have learned in years of anode-grounded CT development. The FP1000 tube platform is designed for portable surgical CT and interventional systems. When used in conjunction with the PaxScan dynamic imaging panels they provide a powerful, space efficient imaging system that can facilitate diagnostic and interventional imaging.”

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