June 25, 2013 — More than 54 companies will display their latest products and services at the American Society of Echocardiography’s (ASE) 24th Annual Scientific Sessions, planned for June 29-July 2 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, Minn. This year, the conference theme is “a disease-based focus on the role of echocardiography in diagnosis and guiding therapy”.
Highlights from the show floor include:
Biodex Medical Systems Inc. (Booth #603) has redesigned their imaging tables for echocardiography to include greater ergonomics and improved image quality. Investing in ergonomics reduces staff absence and improves image quality by minimizing staff fatigue, cumulative throughout each day. New features include side rails flush to the table, enabling closer access to the patient, without contortion. The cardiac portal, the largest available, is conveniently accessible from either side of the table.
Digisonics (Booth #809) will debut their newest product, WebView Pro, an easy-to-use application for fast review of patient images and finalization of reports from any HTML5 capable web browser or operating system including Windows, Mac and iPad. Additional new features include appropriate use criteria calculations, configurable user profiles and several workflow enhancements including auto measurement and data field population of report macros.
Epsilon Imaging (Booth 522) will showcase EchoInsight for Cardio Oncology neutral software application designed to assist clinicians in improving confidence and workflow of study interpretation and reporting when monitoring oncology patients. The application allows clinicians to quickly and easily integrate strain imaging into the clinical environment. Features include automated processing, rapid serial study comparison and global and regional longitudinal strain and ejection fraction (EF) trending with percent change from baseline.
Esaote North America (Booth 621) will highlight portable, ergonomically designed MyLab systems featuring new eHD technology for more efficient echocardiography exams. eHD technology refines each step in the imaging path to extend depth penetration, enhance Doppler sensitivity and improve image readability so echocardiographers can image the widest range of patient body types. Each MyLab system includes clinically practical software to help address the influx of patients anticipated with full implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
Freeland Systems (Booth 409) will demonstrate the AccesPoint cPac Solution, a browser-based picture archive and communications system (PACS), includes image review, intelligent reporting and archiving in the cloud. This multifunctional digital gateway provides a range of tasks including, but not limited to, a custom integration solution for PowerScribe 360/reporting software, electronic medical records (EMR) integration, PDF to SQL, disaster recovery, translation and standardization of ultrasound output to allow automatic data transfer of (non)/standardized digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) to any PACS and a complete cloud and/or local environment DICOM PACS.
GE Healthcare (Booth #800) will exhibit two of their most exciting products at this year’s Scientific Sessions. The Vivid E9 is about making 4-D simple, intuitive and quantifiable to help enhance the 4-D workflow process. Centricity Cardio Enterprise consists of Centricity Cardio Imaging, a Web-based cardiovascular PACS solution that provides full diagnostic-quality image review and analysis from virtually anywhere there is an Internet connection.
Inventive Medical Ltd. (Booth 521) has developed HeartWorks, a computer-generated, animated 3-D model of the normal human heart, which has unrivalled qualities of accuracy and interactivity. Progression from this point has led to high-fidelity ultrasound simulation, both virtual and manikin-based, for transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. The HeartWorks echocardiography simulator now incorporates velocity data, representing blood flow throughout the heart, allowing the development of simulated Doppler ultrasound imaging.
Lantheus Medical Imaging (Booth 500) will offer attendees interactive iPad stations, where you can either follow a case study and answer questions along the way, or engage in a real-life scenario to calculate the impact of suboptimal quality imaging results. Also on display will be an ongoing presentation that highlights key clinical data, patient case studies and implications for patient management through the use of contrast-enhanced imaging.
Lumedx (Booth 1019) will showcase several new solutions, including the HealthView Pediatric Echo Workflow, an information system designed specifically for pediatric heart centers. It includes a Fetal Echo Module which links the fetal patient to post-natal patient, enabling complete, longitudinal patient records. In addition, Lumedx will demo the HealthView Adult Echo Workflow, an end-to-end solution for optimal echo management. Web Echo Reports Editor is a zero-footprint solution enabling physicians to view, complete and sign echo reports anytime, anywhere.
Medstreaming (Booth 411) will showcase a paradigm-shifting change to the practice of clinical documentation. Graphics Based Documentation enables today’s healthcare provider to document with just a few strokes of a stylus. This productivity tool is more efficient than traditional dictation/macro driven workflow and automates structure reporting while creating a structured clinical data base in the background for advanced data mining purposes.
Philips Healthcare (Booth 500) will demonstrate that, for the first time, heart teams can use X-ray images synchronized with real-time live 3-D transesophageal echo (TEE) ultrasound images to navigate catheters and deploy devices. EchoNavigator imaging integration facilitates communication between echocardiographers, cardiac anesthesiologists and interventionalists and simplifies visual guidance, saving valuable time and improving patient care.
Siemens (Booth 901) will demonstrate release 3.0 of the Acuson SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system, a fully-functional 2-D and volume imaging ultrasound system that expands the usability of Siemens’ established Acuson SC2000 system into pediatric echocardiography applications. Also showcased is the Acuson X700 ultrasound system, which offers exceptional image quality and intelligent workflow solutions at an excellent price/performance ratio. The Acuson Freestyle system , the first ultrasound system featuring wireless transducers, offers improved procedural productivity and enhanced workflow efficiency.
Simbionix (Booth 310) US Mentor provides hands-on training for the acquisition of sonography skills, featuring highly realistic simulation within a comprehensive educational environment. The innovative platform is comprised of a palpable mannequin and true-to-life simulated anatomies, physiology and pathologies and reliable imaging incorporating common ultrasound attributes and artifacts. Training modules incorporate ECG, image enhancement tools, measurements tools, color Doppler, cine-loops recording and clinical findings reporting, all supporting training to the full extent of the actual procedure.
Toshiba America Medical Systems (Booth 415) will showcase the Toshiba’s Aplio CV systems, which offer advancements in every aspect of technology and performance. From unsurpassed image quality that delivers exceptional depth and detail, to sophisticated ergonomics and software enhancements that elevate efficiency to new levels, Aplio CV defines a new era in performance.
VentriPoint Medical System (VMS) (Booth 821) allows cardiologists to obtain a 3-D volume rendering of the right ventricle using 2-D ultrasound with the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The result is automatic quantification of end-diastolic volumes, end-systolic volumes, ejection fraction and shape. When tracking a patient, VMS reports volume measurement trends. VMS has shown to be useful in pediatric and adult patients for normal right ventricle evaluation, pulmonary arterial hypertension, tetrology of fallot, and dextro-transposition of the great arteries.
VidiStar LLC (Booth 710) now provides an interface to Qlab, proprietary ultrasound software from Philips. Facilities using Philips ultrasound systems will now benefit from the availability of Philips’ Qlab advanced 2-D and 3-D ultrasound quantification tools within the VidiStar application, delivering efficiency benefits for clinicians and enhancing the accuracy of diagnosis. The interface allows the user to launch the Qlab application directly from the image while within the VidiStar PACS and online reporting software application performing image review and reporting, eliminating the need to perform the quantification on the ultrasound system after the images are acquired.
Also at the show:
American Society of Echocardiography (Booth 515) will offer an ASE mobile app station where attendees can test its guideline apps on iPads, and the booth will showcase ASE’s international outreach and global echo projects.
Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (Booth 317) representatives will inform attendees about their new 360 bed facility in the United Arab Emirates, with five clinical floors, three diagnostic and treatment levels, 13 floors of critical and acute inpatient units, specifically designed to address a range of complex medical needs that would ordinarily require treatment abroad. Consultant physician opportunities are available at the clinic’s heart and vascular institute.
Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) (Booth 1012) will offer a live 90-second demonstration of the dramatic enhancements they have made to IAC Online Accreditation, including several features that simplify the application process, and will donate $1 per demonstration to the ASE Foundation.
Society of Vascular Ultrasound (Booth 1016) has designed a two-day exam review course in preparation for the requirement that all physicians who plan to sit for the Vascular Surgery Qualifying Exam hold the RPVI credential. Sixteen vascular-specific AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits will be awarded and can also help physicians meet their ICAVL accreditation requirements.
For more information: www.asescientificsessions.org