Ultrasound Technology Developed to Improve Cardiac Diagnostic Capabilities

Ultrasound is frequently used as a first-line diagnostic exam to diagnose rapidly and safely a range of patient conditions. New enhancements to cardiac and shared service ultrasound systems have been designed to enhance cardiac ultrasound imaging.

At the 2011 American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting held in New Orleans (LA, USA) during April 2-5, 2011, Toshiba Medical Systems (Tokyo, Japan) presented the new technology. "Toshiba is dedicated to continuously improving its imaging systems to meet the changing needs of healthcare providers," said Tomohiro Hasegawa, director, ultrasound business unit, Toshiba. "These enhancements to the ultrasound product line build upon Toshiba's advanced technology to allow quicker, safer, and more effective diagnosis, particularly for cardiac exams."

For its flagship cardiac system, Aplio Artida, 3D (three-dimensional) wall motion tracking and tissue enhancement technologies are now available. 3D Wall Motion Tracking, an industry first on the Artida, offers dyssynchrony imaging and advanced regional wall motion assessment. It aids electrophysiologists in optimizing pacemaker placement and function. It also shows 3D ejection fraction, volumes, and regional and global strain function. The software, Tissue Enhancement, has the ability to improve image uniformity and endocardial border delineation, particularly in difficult-to-scan patients.

Available on Toshiba's shared service ultrasound systems, Aplio MX, Aplio XG, and Xario XG, the new Auto IMT feature calculates the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery, helping clinicians determine a patient's risk for cardiovascular disease. Auto IMT can determine the thickness of the near- and far-arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery: at an optimal angle of incidence and two complementary planes. Auto IMT uses the collected images following the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE; Morrisville, NC, USA) consensus statement for diagnosis of cardiac risk in certain asymptomatic populations.

At the ACC meeting, Toshiba also presented its new adult motor-driven TEE probe, which improves the diagnosis of many cardiac conditions in difficult-to-scan patients.

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Toshiba Medical Systems