The Annual Meeting of the Society of Imaging Informatics in Medicine (SIIM 2007 - formerly SCAR) was held last week (June 7-10th) in Providence, R.I. The following are reports on technology highlights:

Canon USA: Portable and General Digital Radiography

Demonstrating the versatility and usability of its medical imaging technology, Canon U.S.A, Inc. displayed its full line of currently available portable and general digital radiography (DR) systems and solutions.

Canon DR systems on display included:

-Portable DR Systems -- The Canon CXDI-50G DR system is light-weight and has a large imaging area (14-inch x 17-inch). This DR system will be shown integrated with the RadPro 40kw Mobile X-Ray System, making it appropriate for bedside or post-operative procedures. In addition, Canon will feature the Canon CXDI-50C DR system, which delivers high-quality diagnostic images efficiently with minimal X-ray exposure to patients, making it ideal for pediatric and orthopedic use. Also, the flexibility of the Canon CXDI-50 DR systems offers a "one plate" solution that allows the DR panel to be interchanged between a table and a wall stand set-up, offering a cost effective DR solution.

-Canon DR Image Viewer Software -- Canon helps to improve workflow efficiency of digital radiography systems with an intuitive, user-friendly interface. Canon DR images can be manipulated without compromising throughput, thus assisting the health care provider's efficiency in delivering patient care. This economical and fully-scalable solution provides the user with pixel-to-pixel display of individual or multiple high-resolution Canon DR images.

The Canon DR Image Viewer software features pan, zoom and measurement tools such as cobb angles, can save images to CD and can send images to a Windows-based desktop printer and/or a DICOM Standard-compliant network device. In addition, its optional modules, including stitching and implant matching for surgical templating applications, make it ideal for scoliosis and long leg imaging, as well as for pre-surgical planning for the orthopedic surgeon. Also, included in the new version of DR Image Viewer software is DR Image Viewer Light, which provides the ability to copy an image to a CD/DVD with or without a subset of the viewing and manipulating tools.

The Canon family of companies has installed more than 4,600 DR systems worldwide, including 1,500 DR sensor panels throughout Canada, the United States and Latin America.

Philips iSite PACS Now With optional Communications Tools From Primordial LLC

Andover, Mass., USA -- Also at the SIIM meeting, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHI) announced optional enhancements to its iSite Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). Philips offers communications tools from Primordial LLC designed to foster process efficiencies and increase collaboration within radiology departments using iSite.

Custom-developed tools from Primordial use iSite's industry-leading, open integration Application Program Interface (API), and provide added functionality designed to enhance user experience and promote improved sharing of clinical information and ideas in the radiology workspace.

This suite of tools includes RadConnect, RadReview, and RadMetrix. RadConnect is an integrated instant messaging and email program that ensures radiologists are in continual contact with other providers. RadReview minimizes the time required to implement the American College of Radiology-mandated peer review process by providing the tools to implement this process within iSite. RadMetrix is an information tool that delivers a real-time, dashboard overview of the radiology department's exam metrics, such as throughput, turnaround times and trending.

Agfa HealthCare Demonstrated Newest IMPAX™

Agfa HealthCare took the occasion of the meeting to highlight the latest version of IMPAX, a web-deployable application that improves the planning, capture, interpretation, distribution, and archiving of diagnostic images throughout the hospital enterprise. This single image-management and storage solution allows a virtual view of a patient's imaging record, from anywhere Internet access is available, all on a single desktop.

The latest version of IMPAX provides the necessary tools and customizable workflows that help healthcare organizations overcome the physical barriers of complex multi-site environments. Enhanced imaging integration and added RIS functionality of IMPAX improve diagnostic efficiency. Physicians can review prior history and images and digitally assign acquisition protocols before exams and easily process and review images at one workstation post-exam. Clinical applications are embedded into IMPAX to provide physicians with improved workflow at a single workstation.

"Radiology healthcare providers need to manage patient studies across multiple, disparate Patient ID domains such as imaging centers, community hospitals and specialty clinics. With the enhanced capabilities of IMPAX, radiologists can access prior studies acquired at different locations to compare against current studies and subspecialty radiology services can be provided across the continuum," said Lenny J. Reznik, Director of Enterprise Image and Information Systems, Agfa HealthCare, Americas.

"Physicians will have more universal access to the entire patient record across disparate enterprises. Data such as demographic changes, modifications to images, patient status changes and HIS/RIS (Hospital Information System / Radiology Information System) updates are all synchronized across the enterprise."

Agfa Also Signed Agreement with Vocada for CTRM

Vocada and Agfa HealthCare have signed an agreement to provide integrated solutions through IMPAX™ for critical test result management (CTRM). A market leader in CTRM solutions, Vocada's Veriphy is now available as an integrated offering with Agfa HealthCare's IMPAX, providing radiologists with improved methodologies for test result distribution and verified notification.

Vocada's CTRM solution verifies the communication of critical test results from a reporting clinician to the responsible ordering clinician in time to benefit the patient. The integration of Veriphy with IMPAX can lead to faster diagnosis, playing a significant role in streamlining patient care and enhancing staff productivity.

The integration supports radiology, cardiology, and clinical labs. "We are pleased to partner with Agfa HealthCare," said Peter White, CEO of Vocada. "Agfa HealthCare brings a significant healthcare presence and a reputation as an innovator in radiology and cardiology IT. The integration of our companies' products can streamline patient care and make clinicians more productive."

The integrated IMPAX / Veriphy solution supports The Joint Commission (formerly Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) national patient safety goals of improved communication among care-givers. Hospital users report that their use of Veriphy has earned them high praise from Joint Commission accreditation surveyors. This month, the Joint Commission, through its Joint Commission Resources affiliate, introduced a new educational video that provides an overview of CTRM for hospital administrators and clinicians. The Joint Commission sees CTRM technology as an important advance in supporting patient safety.

"With Vocada's Veriphy software integrated into the IMPAX suite, Agfa HealthCare demonstrates its ongoing commitment to provide the technologies and services than can help deliver more desirable results to the healthcare community," said Lenny J. Reznik, Director of Enterprise Image and Information Systems, Agfa HealthCare, Americas.