At the 62nd American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions, Siemens Healthcare unveiled new angiography and ultrasound systems that the company said will help physicians improve cardiovascular care.

First, Siemens unveiled its new Acuson X700 ultrasound system, designed for transthoracic, transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiogaphy imaging. The system comes with imaging technologies that were previously only available on higher-cost systems, including its MicroPinless transducers, designed to improve signal quality.

The system is built for a broad range of applications, including fetal and gynecological examinations, and contains image enhancement technologies designed to improve tissue contrast and differentiation.
Siemens also unveiled two new angiography systems, Artis Q and Artis Q.zen, fitted with new X-ray tubes that can help physicians identify small vessels up to 70 percent better than conventional X-ray tube technology, according to the company.

Both systems give physicians the option to image at low radiation dose modes when higher dose is not necessary. In particular, Artis Q.zen is able to cut down on dose because its detector is made of crystalline silicon, not amorphous silicon — a change the company said reduces electronic noise and improves signal amplification.

Robert Dewey, senior director of product marketing at Siemens, told DOTmed News: "It's a completely different technology that allows for a much more efficient transfer from radiation to image."

Siemens also unveiled the latest 3.0 version of its Acuson SC2000 ultrasound. New features in this product include a neonatal transducer and a small transesophageal transducer optimized for pediatrics and neonatal imaging.

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