Instantaneous, Nonstitched Full-Volume Images of the Heart Provided in Single Heartbeat

Nonstitched, real-time full-volume three-dimensional (3D) images of the heart are acquired in one single heart cycle with a new volume imaging ultrasound system.

The latest release of the Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) Acuson SC2000 system features unique technologies and applications that improve diagnostic confidence and workflow in echocardiography. The company presented the world's first volume 3D intracardiac echocardiography catheter, the Acuson AcuNav V ultrasound catheter, which provides real-time volumetric information from inside the heart.

"Performing echocardiography procedures with the Acuson SC2000 system is like flying an airplane as opposed to driving,” said Klaus Hambuechen, chief executive officer, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. "Volume echocardiography is powerful, high-precision, and fast. And the level of automation offered by the system gives busy echocardiographers exactly what they need in today's demanding clinical environment: A tool that lets them focus on the patient and procedure instead of the technology, ultimately, delivering the highest quality of care, while at the same time, simplifying and accelerating clinical workflows.”

Siemens presented the system at the 20th annual scientific sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) in Washington, DC, USA, which took place June 6-10, 2009. The system has unprecedented information rate processing power that allows the acquisition of a full volume of the entire heart at 90 x 90^o, up to 40 volumes per second at 16 cm depth. With 16 times the processing power of a conventional 2D system, more than 540 volumes per second at maximum information rate is possible--a performance that dramatically reduces acquisition time, improving the overall workflow in the echocardiography suite.

New to the Acuson SC2000 volume-imaging system is the unique INFocus-coherent imaging technology. Without the need to continuously set and select a given location of best focus, INFocus technology sharpens the full-field image at all times--without sacrificing frame rate. The technology delivers continuous full-field transmit focusing and uses the power of 64 receive beams, maximizing imaging information rate to better resolve cardiac structure and motion for superior diagnostic imaging.

The volume imaging system offers a number of new workflow enhancements, including individually customizable workflow protocols and knowledge-based workflow applications. eSieScan Workflow Protocols streamline exam workflows, both on the user level and in the entire lab, bringing both highest reproducibility and quality standards to the volume imaging workflow. Moreover, the system features pharmacologic Rapid Stress volume stress echo capabilities, which automatically capture all walls of the left ventricle in one single heartbeat, without the need of echocardiographic (ECG) gating or multiple window acquisition at peak stress. This results in faster acquisition time and comprehensive review of all wall segments in one single capture, leading to potentially improved accuracy and time savings.

The Acuosn SC2000 system features knowledge-based workflow software that uses learned pattern recognition technology and an expert database of real clinical cases to support advanced echocardiography applications. The system recognizes anatomical patterns and landmarks performing automatic measurements to streamline clinical workflow. This includes automatic reference plane extraction from the full-volume cardiac capture dataset, automated full-volume contouring of ejection fraction, and automated measurement of imaging modes.

To further enhance efficiency, the offline workstation enables reporting, as well as complete review and processing of the acquired volumes. Besides using the latest technology advancements and applications to improve efficiency and workflow, Siemens has also addressed the ergonomics of the system to meet and exceed today's recommended ergonomic guidelines to reduce work-related stress injuries and to accommodate the varied work environment of sonographers.

The system features advanced technologies and applications to offer a complete cardiovascular shared-service toolset in one sophisticated package for cardiac, operating room (OR), and vascular imaging, including the integration of the 4V1c transducer. Rapid restart operation makes the Acuson S2000 system highly suitable for pediatric and neonate bedside imaging, with a variety of transducers carried over from the Acuson Sequoia ultrasound platform, OR-compatibility is confirmed through the utilization of the V5M TEE transducer. The system also features user protocol-driven workflow, which additionally accommodates pediatric, adult, and vascular imaging.

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