A new ultrasound system that can penetrate large amounts of tissue in the abdomen and other body areas of obese and overweight patients has been announced.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 69% of adults in the US aged 20 years and over, and 20.5% of adolescents age 12 to 19 years, are overweight or obese. Ultrasound imaging is more difficult for these patients because of the larger amounts of tissue that hinder the ability of the equipment to acquire high-resolution images.

The Carestream (Rochester, NY, USA) Touch Prime and Touch Prime XE ultrasound systems provide more uniform resolution over the entire depth of the area being scanned. The systems use new technologies such as the Carestream SynTek architecture, and can provide enhanced spatial detail, with increased frame rates, while reducing noise, and artifacts. Additional design breakthroughs enable more consistent visualization of subtle differences in tissue contrast, and an improved ability to visualize small structures. Carestream’s architecture combines information independently obtained from multiple transmissions, and synthesizes a transmit beam that is narrow over the entire spatial area of an image, not only at a single point or region. This can lead to higher image quality.

The Touch Prime and Touch Prime XE systems feature a sealed, all-touch control panel, and etched markings for primary controls enabling a clinician to use the system without having to look at the keyboard. The systems are intended for general diagnostic radiology, musculoskeletal, and vascular applications, and obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) imaging.

Andrew J. Hartmann, Carestream VP and general manager, Global Ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT) Solutions, said, “Our ultrasound platform contains features designed to address many challenges in sonography and imaging of large patients is just one example. Our new architecture also enhances visualization of moving anatomical structures while reducing noise and artifacts to help clinicians make diagnostic and treatment decisions.”

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