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This report originally appeared in the November 2009 issue of DOTmed Business News.

The 95th RSNA Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting will take place this year at McCormick Place Convention Center from November 29th to December 3rd. In addition to the unparalleled networking opportunities, the meeting will include educational tracks with more than 350 refresher courses, more than 2,460 scientific presentations in 16 radiographic subspecialties and more than 650 companies exhibiting the latest in health care products and services.

While we don't have space to preview them all, following are just some of the highlights you can expect.

Carestream Health - Booth 211, Hall D
Carestream Health will debut work-in-progress upgrades to its newest PACS that include an embedded reporting module and an easy-to-use display interface to associate imported DICOM and non-DICOM data into an existing patient portfolio. The company's new RIS delivers strategic tools to help managers maximize revenue. It also provides gains in productivity for schedulers and radiologists and critical results reporting. The company's SuperPACS™ Architecture enables facilities to create workflow efficiencies by creating a unified global worklist across the enterprise, and its PowerViewer dramatically improves radiologist productivity for reading volumetric exams. The company also will demonstrate a vendor-neutral archive for images and data. In medical imaging news, Carestream Health will show its new DRX-Evolution system and launch a retrofit kit that allows several vendors' Mobile analog X-ray generators to be upgraded to accommodate wireless, cassette-size CARESTREAM DRX-1 detectors.

Fuji - Booth 6238, Hall A
Fujifilm is a world-leading provider of medical image and information products and technologies for acquiring, processing, presenting, managing and storing diagnostic images. Its extensive portfolio includes diagnostic imaging products and informatics solutions to meet the needs of health care facilities in both outpatient and hospital settings. This year at RSNA, Fujifilm will showcase its full suite of products for high quality imaging results including: Synapse® PACS, Managed Services and RIS/PACS, Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR), Fuji Digital Radiography (FDR), CR+DR-based FFDM and cardiovascular imaging and information solutions (CVIIS). Fujifilm has the experience, technology and vision to lead its customers in the challenging health care environment of the future.

Konica Minolta - Booth 3653, Hall A
Konica Minolta continues to expand into cassette-less DR with Xpress DR, a total room solution suited for high volume imaging with both ceiling and floor mounted configurations, and the upright FlexDR, featuring a large vertical travel range for lower extremity imaging. Also new, the next-generation Xpress CR model 210 offers the "Ultimate Resource Sharing" concept with flexibility to separate consoles and readers for an ideal workflow solution. For the all-in-one digital radiography and medical imaging solution ImagePilot CR, the new Version 1.3 offers new features and functionality that raises the level of clinical productivity, including new optional tools that streamline image management. As with all of Konica Minolta's digital imaging systems; ease-of-use, reliability, and high-quality imaging are the cornerstones of each product which are backed by Konica Minolta's award-winning service and support organization.

DMS Health Technologies - Booth 8920, Hall B
DMS delivers an integrated system of diagnostic imaging equipment and staff to facilities across the country with their mobile, interim and fixed-site solutions. They help customers expand their imaging services with technology - across multiple modalities and all major manufacturers - by offering training and support by the most experienced staff in the industry. And it all comes with proven quality, customer service and patient satisfaction.

Whether you need a short or long-term rental, scheduled services or leased equipment, DMS will customize a flexible solution for MRI, CT, PET/CT, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Cardiac/Angio, Bone Densitometry and Digital Mammography services.

Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. - Booth 5629, Hall A
Toshiba will highlight: the Aquilion® ONE, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. the world's only dynamic volume CT system. The Aquilion ONE can scan an entire organ in a single rotation because it covers up to 16 cm of anatomy using 320 ultra high resolution 0.5 mm detector elements and shows the organ's dynamic blood flow and real-time function. Upgrades will also be showcased.

The Aquilion® CX, 64-detector row CT system creates up to 28 images per second. It also includes Toshiba's Quantum Advantage detector technology and a patient couch accommodating up to 660 lbs.

The InfinixTM VF-i/BP with large- and mid-size flat panel detectors. The system is designed to increase the flexibility and diagnostic capabilities in bi-plane vascular X-ray imaging. The mid and large panel detectors provide clinicians with numerous variations of angle combinations and anatomical coverage to create the optimal universal bi-plane vascular X-ray system for any clinical application.

The new Hybrid Angiographic Table (works-in-progress) for its Infinix vascular X-ray product line. Designed for today's advanced IR/OR suite, the hybrid table allows for head-to-toe and side-to-side tilting of the patient.

Toshiba will demonstrate the patient-focused designs of its Vantage TitanTM and Vantage Atlas® MR systems.

AMICAS - Booth 7124, Hall B
AMICAS PACS Version 6.0 includes an enhanced viewing environment composed of the Patient Record, which provides a comprehensive view into patients' imaging history. AMICAS RIS drives administrative staff productivity and revenue opportunities. This industry-leading ambulatory RIS solution offers robust scheduling, charge capture, and workflow capabilities. AMICAS RadStream reduces medical-legal risk by automating and documenting critical results communications. AMICAS Reach allows radiology practices and departments to provide unparalleled service to referring physicians. AMICAS ECM allows hospitals and IDNs to store all images and image-related information and tightly integrate them into their EMR. AMICAS Financials provides the Cashfinder Worklist to automate the identification and management of denials and follow-up workflows. AMICAS Dashboards, a Web-based business intelligence platform, provides access to customized, near real-time, easy-to-read data for key performance metrics and indicators, including both clinical and operational factors. AMICAS VERICIS drives efficiency in cardiovascular imaging and reporting workflow, and AMICAS Hemodynamics offers a comprehensive knowledge tool for the cath lab.

Hologic - Booth 1611, Hall D
Hologic will showcase their progress with tomosynthesis (commercial in Europe and elsewhere for more than a year but still waiting on the FDA). In addition, their multimodality diagnostic workstation will be on display. Demonstrations will highlight their cleared multi lumen 5 day (not 5 week) targeted radiation therapy system, the MammoSite ML which just received FDA clearance. Additional highlights to include an upgraded stereotactic breast biopsy platform and Advanced body composition software for their bone density
system. Two recently FDA-cleared breast biopsy devices, the Aiuana and Celero will also be at their booth. If you're interested in women's health devices and specifically mammography, Hologic is a must-see.

AFC Industries, Inc. - Booth 3804, Hall A
AFC is a leading, customer-centered designer and manufacturer of durable ergonomic medical furniture-electronically-height-adjustable workstations, point-of care and mobile computer carts, wall mounts, video walls, monitor arms, and more.

AFC debuts The Whitestone Workstation™ with new workstations enhancements that further optimize the radiology reading environment, while incorporating valued features of AFC's flagship products-electronic adjustment of work surface height for sit-stand positions; work surface tilt; and independent electronic adjustment of monitor height and focal distance. New with The Whitestone™ are an environmental heating and cooling system controlled at the workstation, digital readouts for surface height and monitor focal distance, adjustable LED backlighting; and an acoustical privacy partition, attached. Responding to growing interest in larger radiology images, a new monitor arm supporting up to 50-lb. monitors will be available.

Varian Medical Systems - Booth 3646, Hall A
Varian Medical Systems will showcase the company's full line of PaxScan® flat-panel digital X-ray image detectors for digital radiography, fluoroscopy, and cone-beam CT imaging.

The PaxScan 4336R, a 14-by-17-inch detector, is the first ruggedized portable X-ray flat panel detector designed to replace standard film cassettes. The 4336R fits existing bucky trays and facilitates simple DR upgrades. The 4336R is now available in the optional hand-held portable enclosure.
The PaxScan 4343R, Varian's largest panel, a 17" x 17" detector was created for permanent mounting in radiographic tables or wall stands, or for any application that requires a large field of view.

Except for their physical size, both panels incorporate identical detector arrays and readout electronics. Image data and control signals, which are based upon an industry standard Gigabit Ethernet interface, can be passed to and from these detectors using standard network interface cards.

Philips - Booth 7725, Hall B
Following the global introduction of the MammoDiagnostVU mammography workstation, Philips extends the company's offerings with the launch of the Integral Breast Workspace. The Integral Breast Workspace is a
Multi-modality, multi-vendor workstation that brings together mammography, ultrasound and MRI studies; meeting customers need for integrated information management, enhancing their workflow and increasing diagnostic confidence.

RSNA 2009 will be the first public demonstration of the Integral Breast Workspace, combining the strongest features from Philips' portfolio of world class breast imaging solutions.

Essenta DR Compact is a fully digital X-ray system that delivers high quality on a moderate budget. It can be used for all general radiography examinations and is ideal for mid-sized hospitals, imaging centers, private clinics and orthopedic clinics. The Essenta DR Compact facilitates efficient imaging and processing, potentially saving time in busy clinics. It is designed to be quick and easy to use; the system's U-arm can be moved manually, giving customers fast access to clinical positioning.

Imprex - Booth 8940, Hall B
Imprex International provides Titanium and non-ferrous tool solutions for the repair and maintenance of today's MRI, NMR, and other high Tesla environments. For over 20 years, Imprex International has worked with the top companies, medical device manufactures, and service technicians to provide the top quality hand tools out of Titanium and other non-ferrous metals that this highly specialized field demands. Imprex International provides ready-to-use tool kits and individual tools to the biggest service industry leaders all the way to the smallest outfits.

Atlas - Booth 3101, Hall A
Atlas provides new, refurbished and pre-owned CT and MRI equipment, mobile rentals utilizing GE products including Lightspeed Multislice. Planning, installation and warranty/service are included in a complete package. Atlas can handle the entire project from the planning and construction to staffing and operations (turnkey), around the world. Atlas' management has more than 75 years of combined experience on CT & MRI products. We sell and service GE, Picker/Marconi, Toshiba, Philips and Hitachi. X-ray tubes and parts are also available. Our associations around the world give us the strength to plan and execute projects just as if they are in our hometown.

Complete medical Services - Booth 7251, Hall B
Complete Medical Services is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging equipment with sales throughout the world. Our areas of expertise include Bone Density, Ultrasound, and Nuclear Stress Test equipment. We provide our customers with refurbished medical imaging equipment, and also offer warranties, service, and support. Complete Medical Services can supply almost any part you need for your imaging equipment. We offer excellent dealer programs, with sales support and service training available. Please stop by booth view our Bone Density and Ultrasound equipment, and to speak with one of our team members on ways we can help supply you with the medical equipment that you need.

MEDRAD - Booth 4209, Hall A
MEDRAD MVS will showcase its MRI coil repair and growing list of ultrasound probes eligible for TotalRepair, which now includes select 3D/4D probes! TotalRepair, the MVS guaranteed repair solution, helps health care facilities reduce service costs and also mitigate financial exposure with a capped "worst case scenario" price provided upfront. MVS is also the experienced leader in third-party coil repair, leveraging nearly a quarter of a century of experience as a coil manufacturer and over 35 coil patents.

With the greatest repair capabilities, highest quality and superior customer care, MVS provides the best value in third-party service and supports it with more than 250 field-based personnel. MVS offers depot-based repair on MRI coils and ultrasound probes and field-based service on dry imagers and CR systems.

Dunlee - Booth 4003, Hall A
Dunlee will be displaying the new Reevo 240G, replacement tube for the GE LightSpeed VCT series CT systems. Dunlee will also be showing a replacement tube for Siemens CT systems and demonstrating a new version of the TSA (Tube Service Assistant), on-line CT tube installation assistance program.

Dunlee has a long history of producing the highest quality product for medical imaging by utilizing state of the art technologies and manufacturing processes, while providing our customers 24 hour personalized customer service and technical support. In addition, Dunlee will be displaying a complete range of CT and X-ray tubes for all major brands, image intensifiers and Smit Rontgen grids.

Shared Imaging - Booth 5251, Hall A
Since 1987, Shared Imaging (SI) has been providing state-of-the-art technology in CT, MRI and Pet CT systems. With over 240 systems placed nationwide, SI's business is delivering high-quality equipment. But their passion is building long-term relationships.

Focus on Your Needs. SI has one simple goal: to help you make progress and profits in CT, MRI and PET CT services. They've built their business by focusing on your needs today and goals for tomorrow. SI offers equipment from all major manufacturers of CT, MRI and PET/CT technology, in any configuration (Mobile, Fixed Site/In-House or Fixed Modular) that works best for your doctors, your facility and your community.

At SI, your needs dictate their services. Your agreement comes with unparalleled flexibility-from short-term mobile services to full-time systems, with variable (fee-per-use) or fixed pricing methods, including the freedom to add days of service or upgrading equipment along the way. SI gives you unprecedented power to adapt to changing needs, keep up with advancing technology and meet your long-range goals.

Metropolis- Booth 5450, Hall A
Metropolis International was formed in 2005 to provide a better service and a more personal approach to doing business. Since then Metropolis has grown and adapted to the tightening landscape of pre-owned diagnostic imaging systems. They have and still strive for a better approach to how we work with the equipment their customers need.

Now in 2009, they have moved to a bigger and better office/warehouse facility. This will help them to better service customers and vendors. They have more space to keep a larger array of inventory and to set-up a dedicated service area with the ability to store and reference parts.

But what everyone should know about Metropolis is that the employees that work there are pushed into a way of work and life that allows them to help each other and thus builds an air of understanding about what customers want. This in turn, helps Metropolis to grow and keep building.

Infimed - Booth 3422, Hall A
InfiMed will be showcasing its newly developed i5 imaging platform for digital radiography and RF/DSA applications at this year's RSNA show in Chicago. Operating with a choice of flat panel detectors from Carestream, Samsung, Trixell, and Varian, and offered in a variety of solutions, the i5 product line provides maximum flexibility for both OEMs and dealers.

Oxford - Booth 804, Hall D
The Oxford Instruments MRI organization is the world's largest independent MRI cryogenic and refrigeration service provider. More magnets receive our professional-grade care than from all other independent service organizations...combined. Let them show you how Oxford Instruments strategically placed network of Field Service Technicians, 24/7 Technical Support, Repair Depots, Cold Magnet Storage Locations and Liquid Helium access points can deliver the OEM quality service that your business demands. Oxford Instruments specializes in providing Preventative Service agreements that minimize risk and maximize scan time. Their team is focused on delivering a service product that is timely and meets your scheduling needs.

In Oxford Instruments 50 year history, the business has produced and serviced the world's most sophisticated superconducting magnets. Impressively, their specialized wire products are at the very heart of a majority of the superconducting magnets in the world.

Creative Foam - Booth 4605, Hall A
Creative Foam Medical Systems is a leader in custom designing and foam manufacturing vinyl-coated products for the diagnostic imaging industry. Their vinyl-coating process provides an aesthetically pleasing and seamless cushioning medium that is free from bacteria-harboring areas.

Increased demand for refurbished imaging equipment has driven interest in replacement pads, positioners and flex coils. Creative Foam's ability to utilize in-house technicians and engineers gives them the advantage when it comes to refurbishing medical equipment accessories through reverse engineering.

Their Precision Cell Foam can be molded with great part definition and detail. Its unique cellular-design provides a superior surface finish, allowing parts to be repetitively cleaned and disinfected.

The development of their PolyDry Health Fabric brings a new dimension to their family of coatings. Its flexible membrane allows the fabric to be foamed in complex shapes and designs. With its fluid-proof surface and Anti-Bacterial characteristics, this material is a great candidate for coil encapsulation.

C&G - Booth 642, Hall D
C&G Technologies, Inc. has been specializing in the full refurbishment, service and parts support of GE and Toshiba CT scanners for 20 years. At C&G the mission is simple: quality and customer satisfaction always comes first. To achieve this mission, C&G operates a 44,000 square foot facility located in Jeffersonville, IN and service hubs in Phoenix, Arizona and Fort Myers, Florida. Our state-of-the-art facility houses 20 CT and PET/CT staging bays, in-house service engineers, a multi-million dollar parts inventory, a shipping and loading area, a cosmetic prep area, and a board repair area. Be sure to stop by Booth # 642 in Lakeside Center Hall D where C&G Technologies will be displaying beautifully custom painted Toshiba Aquilion 64 and GE LightSpeed VCT scanners. C&G will also have high quality refurbished replacement parts for Toshiba and GE CTs on display.

Imaging Services - Booth 5251, Hall A
Imaging Services specializes in Toshiba CT service. They are passionate about serving their customers with high quality, proactive service approaches affordability. Their engineers are OEM trained averaging over 15 years of experience and have expertise on all Toshiba CT's including the Aquilion 64.

Imaging Services offers Toshiba CT Customers unique service coverage programs and competitive T&M rates tailored to your needs. Their Service Programs include a 12 hour or 24 hour coverage with sharply reduced program fees and overtime rates.

REMEDPAR - Booth 2550, Hall A
Come learn about all the new modalities supported by ReMedPar including the GE VCT, Toshiba Aquilion and many more models. Also learn about their repair capabilities including MR Coil Repairs, MR Amplifiers, Power Supplies and Flat Panel Digital Detectors. Finally, all guest will be registered to win a free GE Lightspeed 16 Training Class (value estimated at $5,000).

ReMedPar was founded in 1987 and is the largest independent provider of medical diagnostic imaging parts in the United States. Backed by Berkshire Partners of Boston, ReMedPar has a $45 million inventory of quality-assured, multi-vendor replacement parts for diagnostic imaging and other biomedical device equipment. The company is the only aftermarket parts provider that offers an end-to-end solution comprised of parts, technical support, parts identification, training, repair, and equipment sales. ReMedPar has forged strong partnerships with stable, quality suppliers and manufacturers, enabling it to provide an all-inclusive line of parts and support services.

Siemens - Booth 825, Hall D
Siemens highlights its Artis zee® family of radiographic systems as well as the Ysio®, which combines integrated and wireless mobile detector technology into one flexible solution. The MammoTest™ is Siemens fully digital prone table biopsy system with the largest breast aperture (11 inches) in the industry. Siemens Healthcare demonstrates the power of the Biograph mCT, the world's first molecular CT at RSNA 2009. Biograph mCT serves both the nuclear medicine and the radiology department with High-Definition PET, time-of-flight technology, and CT configurations up to 128 slices. Siemens will also highlight Symbia.net (pending FDA approval), the new client-server solution for SPECT and SPECT/CT imaging applications. Siemens Healthcare Ultrasound will highlight a new release of its premium ACUSON S2000™ ultrasound platform and the revolutionary ACUSON S2000™ Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS). Siemens will also be featuring syngo Advanced Imaging, PACS, CAD and RIS Imaging IT solutions at booth #825.

Atlantis Worldwide - Booth 3809, Hall A
For their 16th year at RSNA, Atlantis Worldwide will be discussing with current and potential clients their full line of radiological offerings. Atlantis has done business in all 50 states and 50 countries throughout the world. They keep an inventory of MRI, CT, bone densitometry systems, nuclear cameras, RF, Rad room and digital radiology systems. They are also the nation's top dealer of pre-owned C-arm technology. Atlantis staff will be on-hand this year talking to attendees about Atlantis' ability to provide fully refurbished products with warranty and financing, as well as long-term service contracts. Atlantis also maintains a fleet of CT mobile units.

GE - Booth 4029, Hall A
GE Healthcare will announce a variety of new innovations in MR, CT and imaging. Highlights include the Optima MR450w, which overcomes traditional limitations of wide bore scanning, notably image quality. GE will announce ASiR's integration with the Brightspeed Platform, offering new standards for diagnosing, with lower dose and clinical clarity. The product redefines image quality, with up to 33% greater detail and 60% dose reduction across the entire body. In addition, Discovery NM/CT 570c will now feature the high-speed, high-resolution capabilities of GE's LightSpeed VCT in conjunction with groundbreaking Alcyone technology.

Canon - Booth 8339, Hall B
Canon will showcase two new high-resolution REALiS Multimedia Projectors, the REALiS WUX10 Mark II D and REALiS SX80 Mark II D. These products feature a DICOM Simulation mode for compliance with the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) Part 14 standardized display function for display of grayscale images. This new mode will provide medical educators with greater flexibility when training and conducting lectures and conferences where a large display is needed. The two projectors are not cleared or approved for medical diagnosis and should not be used for these purposes.


Unfors - Booth 3609, Hall A
Unfors will be introducing a new line of non-invasive diagnostic X-ray meters, the Unfors ThinX. Never before has any company developed a totally automatic meter to provide kVp, Dose, Dose Rate, Time, HVL and pulse in one exposure with no setup needed. The Unfors ThinX family of meters will excite the novice to the expert. There are no buttons, just position and expose. It's that simple!

Unfors is well known as the industry leader for the Unfors Xi Platinum meter. New features include HVL on all exposures on all modalities; new mammography beam qualities including W/Ag for Selenia 2D and 3D. The Unfors Xi base can become a light meter, survey meter or CT meter with the simple exchange of external detectors. The QA View Software assists the user in creating professional reports for documentation of the work performed.


EDGE Medical Devices - Booth 5651, South Hall

EDGE Medical Devices will feature its innovative Plasma DR™ flat-panel digital detector and Quix™ Universal Retrofit Kit, an affordable, turnkey upgrade to digital x-ray imaging for any new or existing equipment. The kit has both single and dual-detector configuration options to upgrade RAD tables, wall stands, U-/C-arm and other positioning devices. Also featured is the touch-screen Quix Operator Console for DR workflow, image processing, export, print and DICOM storage. Products in the Quix Universal Retrofit Kit are FDA 510(k), CE and UL certified. Plasma DR™ offers a price/performance breakthrough by eliminating the complex TFT technology used in other flat-panel detectors. EDGE works with OEMs, Integrators and VARs to bring high quality digital radiography to all diagnostic imaging settings.