Extremity Scanner Designed to Identify Slight Fractures

A new dedicated extremity scanner is designed to find subtle extremity fractures during the first visit to the clinic—the types of fractures that have most typically been missed when only using two-dimensional (2D) X-rays. The scanner is a novel solution to the problem, providing fast 3D imaging at the point of care.

On February 1, 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued 510(k) approval letter for the Planmed (Helsinki, Finland) Verity extremity scanner. Planmed Verity is intended to be used for computed tomography (CT) scanning of anatomies within upper and lower extremities. The scanner is intended for pre- and postoperative imaging, and it has superior resolution and patient adaptability and employs a substantially lower dose of radiation than full-body CTs. Dissimilar any other 3D imaging system, Planmed Verity also allows for weight-bearing imaging of the extremities.

Planmed Verity adjusts to the patient with anatomy-specific imaging programs, movements, and carbon-fiber positioning trays. Easily adjustable, soft surfaced gantry and motorized positioning help in finding a comfortable position for various examination procedures. The adjustable user interfaces and effective all-in-one workflow are also devised to optimize the operator’s calming presence for the patient.

“Planmed Verity is the first and only CT system in the world that can image seated, supine, and standing patients. We are excited that this innovative, low dose orthopedic imaging system is now available also in the US. We are confident that it will be well received,” said Vesa Mattila, vice president of Planmed Oy.

Planmed’s products are well known for their design and ergonomics. The US subsidiary Planmed USA, Inc. (Roselle, IL, USA), is responsible for sales, marketing, and tech support for Planmed products in North America. “We are very pleased to extend our imaging equipment line to orthopedic imaging. Many of our customers have been looking forward to this clearance,” noted Chris Oldham, director of sales of Planmed USA, Inc.

Planmed Verity has the CE marking and therefore is available for sale in the European Union and many other countries where the CE certificate permits sales. In the United States, Planmed Verity has been in clinical assessment studies at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston, MA, USA).

Planmed Verity will be presented at the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) meeting starting on March 19, 2013, in Chicago (IL, USA).

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