Siemens Demonstrates Improved Efficiency in Routine Echocardiography Exams at ESC

New release of Acuson SC2000 ultrasound system sets new standards for workflow in 2D and real-time volumetric echocardiography

Erlangen, Germany, Siemens Healthcare announced the 1.5 release of its Acuson SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system at the congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in Stockholm, Sweden. Featuring a number of innovative workflow solutions, the system offers a complete 2D and volume echocardiography system that – on top of excellent imaging performance – offers one-of-a-kind workflow improvements in conventional and real-time volumetric echocardiography.

Featuring an entirely new approach to workflow, the unique eSie Measure Workflow Acceleration package of the Acuson SC2000 system, release 1.5 is the first application in the industry to provide fully automated measurements for routine echo exams.

“Manual measurements account for a large portion of the echo exam time and require a lot of time-consuming repetitive key strokes,” said Dr. Norbert Gaus, CEO, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. “The eSie Measure functionality on the Acuson SC2000 system increases workflow efficiency, the reproducibility and quality of each exam, while also addressing the issue of repetitive stress injuries in sonographers.”

Streamlined, Complete Exams

To streamline exam workflows both on the user level and in the entire lab, the Acuson SC2000 system offers eSieScan workflow protocols, which bring higher reproducibility and quality standards to the echocardiography workflow. Customizable according to user or department requirements, eSieScan workflow protocols dramatically reduce the need for user interaction and the number of keystrokes during the imaging process.

“The Acuson SC2000 system’s workflow protocols enable our customers to decrease scan time by 10 to 15 minutes per patient,” said Gaus. “This will increase consistency of results and ensure that exams are complete.”

Superior Image Quality for a Comprehensive Transducer Suite

IN Focus coherent imaging enables the user to focus on the entire field of view instead of a single focal zone. By using the power of 64 parallel receive beams, this technology dramatically improves image quality at all depths without any user intervention to ideally display the cardiac structure and motion for superior diagnostic volumetric imaging. IN Focus technology drives the imaging power of the 4Z1, 4V1 and the V5M transducer.

Expanding its application versatility, the Acuson SC2000 system now features a new 5 MHz transesophageal probe, which is interchangeable with other Siemens ultrasound platforms to ensure maximum return on investment.

Volumetric Imaging

Siemens’ Echo in a Heartbeat technology delivers vastly more diagnostic information than today’s conventional systems. Easily integrated into a routine adult echocardiography exam, it enables new workflow pathways to improve diagnostic efficiency. Non-stitched, real-time full-volume imaging provides wider access to patients and captures true physiologic information including color flow and accurate volume quantification for the left and right ventricle.

In addition, the system features the Rapid Stress volume stress echo application, with full-volume acquisition in one single heartbeat per stage and auto-extraction of reference planes for comparison. The resulting volume stress workflow enables the only volume stress echo solution for patients with arrhythmia. Consequently, faster acquisition time and comprehensive review of all wall segments in one single capture leads to potentially improved accuracy and time savings.

Knowledge-based Workflow Applications

Siemens also showcased various platforms of its unique knowledge-based workflow applications, which are designed to automate measurements for rapid, accurate, and reproducible results.

* syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI) technology uses individual vectors to display direction and relative velocity of tissue from frame to frame to instantaneously measure motion at any point in the cardiac cycle. This unique visual representation of cardiac contraction-relaxation mechanics allows easy gathering of information for a variety of applications, including rapid assessment of ventricular synergy in heart failure.
* Using sophisticated system intelligence based on learned pattern recognition technology, syngo Auto Left Heart (Auto LH) technology automatically generates left atrial and left ventricular volumes and ejection fractions rapidly and reliably.
* syngo Arterial Health Package (AHP) calculates cardiovascular risks by measuring the carotid intima media thickness

Press pictures accompany this press release and can be downloaded under: http://www.siemens.com/med-pictures/Ultrasound-AcusonSC2000

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2009 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.9 billion euros and profit of around 1.5 billion euros. For further information please visit: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

The here mentioned products/features are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons its future availability in any country cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.

Reference Number: H201008053e