Siemens has announced 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market AXIOM Wireless Footswitch and AXIOM Voice Control.

The two new innovations are giving physicians and staff increased flexibility, improved efficiency and operator comfort in interventional procedures. Both the AXIOM Wireless Footswitch and AXIOM Voice Control were recently FDA 510(k)cleared and are now commercially available in the United States. The wireless footswitch technology eliminates the hazard of excess cables often found in the examination room and reduces the risk of tripping so physicians can concentrate on the patient during examinations. Bringing hands-free operation to the interventional suite, AXIOM Voice Control allows physicians to stay focused on the catheter, the images and the patient. Instead of searching for buttons, waiting for staff or reaching around others in the room, voice control technology lets clinicians command the image processing of an AXIOM Artis system directly via voice control signals.

Siemens offers a broad portfolio of advanced angiography technologies, providing clinicians with information previously unavailable in the interventional suite. Among the solutions Siemens showcased recently at the Society for Interventional Radiology is syngo© DynaCT. This application helps physicians improve diagnostic confidence by enabling Angiographic Computed Tomography (ACT) and soft-tissue imaging directly in the interventional suite. By delivering CT-like images during angiography procedures, this first-of-its-kind application can save critical time and greatly reduce the need to move the patient out of the sterile environment for evaluation on another imaging modality, prior to proceeding with the intervention. Advanced applications such as syngo iPilot are also supporting more informed decision-making capabilities and treatment planning. With syngo iPilot, medical facilities can add a new dimension to catheter procedures.
This program takes two-dimensional fluoroscopy images that appear in real time, and superimposes three-dimensional reconstructions of the data displayed on the same monitor. The additional information supports physicians in the interpretation of vascular structures, enabling faster and more accurate catheter navigation.

To provide a comprehensive, integrated interventional solution, both syngo DynaCT and syngo iPilot are designed to work in conjunction with Siemens' array of imaging systems such as the AXIOM Artis dTA. Equipped with flat panel detector (FD) technology, the AXIOM Artis dTA digital ceiling-mounted universal angiography C-arm system enables comprehensive routine diagnosis with advanced 3D image quality, maximum radiation reduction and optimal network connectivity.


Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

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