Specimen Radiography System Provides Instant Biopsy Verification

A next-generation specimen radiography system delivers enhanced image quality, improved workflow and immediate sample verification during breast-conserving surgeries.

The Hologic (Bedford, MA, USA) Trident HD specimen radiography system has been engineered from the ground up to meet the demands of busy operating rooms (ORs), where space is at a premium. Features include an intuitive, high-resolution HD touchscreen display, a user-friendly control panel, a 16 x 18cm detector panel with amorphous selenium direct-capture technology, optional bar code scanning, and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) integration. Integration of all the components together accelerates large specimen imaging procedures during breast conserving surgeries and mastectomies.


An automatic exposure control (AEC) module optimized for breast excisions and core biopsies, and an advanced algorithm created specifically for breast specimen radiography processing and stereotactic breast biopsies support complete imaging of larger breast surgical specimens. Prior mammography or biopsy images can be displayed on the same monitor to speed comparison and analysis, resulting in reduced procedure time and improved workflow. Wireless integration supports advanced image sharing and transfer of patient records to PACS or a proprietary SecurView DX workstation – with a single touch.

“The Trident HD system is a breakthrough solution that delivers the superior image quality clinicians have come to expect from Hologic products, helping to streamline workflows and reduce recalls while decreasing procedure times,” said Pete Valenti, president of breast and skeletal health solutions at Hologic. “We are committed to identifying and addressing the challenges of our customers and their patients at every step of the breast health journey, and our expanding product portfolio is evidence of that commitment.”

Specimen radiographs can help define the type, size, and extent of a tumor by using orthogonal views and radiographs to define its margins, allowing the surgeon to intra-operatively undertake an additional margin cavity shave, increasing the chance of a histologically clear margin at the first operation. It is important for both participating radiologists and pathologists to understand which radiologic features are correlated with histologic findings.