Philips has announced the introduction of Vision 2005, a series of important product upgrades, new system configurations and enhancements spread across its ultrasound product line. Key highlights include the introduction of new pediatric cardiology capabilities and enhanced vascular capabilities on the iE33, cardiology capabilities and photo-quality 3D fetal imaging on the iU22 and on-cart and off-cart upgrades to QLAB Quantification Software, on both platforms.

In the past year Philips Medical Systems introduced several new ultrasound platforms that are defining the future of ultrasound imaging and setting new boundaries for image quality, intelligent functionality and clinical versatility. Advances such as xMATRIX array technology, award-winning PureWave crystals, user-centered ergonomics and 3D volume quantification are driving a fundamental change in the capabilities and use of ultrasound.

"A new generation of high-quality digital 3D and 4D data sets are making ultrasound a key tool for assessment, diagnosis, guiding procedures and monitoring patient outcomes," said Barbara Franciose, CEO, ultrasound, for Philips Medical Systems. "Vision 2005 provides major enhancements in these key areas which will help expedite the changing and growing role of ultrasound."
The ever-increasing number of heart failure patients around the world and the growing use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has made the iE33 3DQ Advanced software a popular tool among leading physicians. 3DQ Advanced is used to measure the contractility of the heart to help determine which patients are the best candidates for CRT. Vision 2005 includes the introduction on the iE33 of 3D synchronicity indices (3DSI). These indices can standardize 3D evaluation for CRT by providing a 3D quantitative method for evaluating cardiac dyssynchrony using the standard deviation of minimum LV regional volumes as a percentage of the cardiac cycle.

Pediatric heart patients can now benefit from many of the advanced features of the iE33 echocardiography system with a new pediatric cardiology package. Special transducers and pediatric capabilities have been added to optimize the special physical characteristics of the smaller patient. Included is a new pediatric Multiplane TEE (transesophegial echo) transducer that can be used to improve imaging during delicate cardiac surgeries and procedures.

These new enhancements should further add to the popularity of the iE33 that recently reached the milestone of 1000 units shipped worldwide in just ten months.

More Industry Headlines