Digitizer Improves Workflow with Conversion of Film-Based Mammography Images

A specialized digitizer enables mammography facilities to transition to digital imaging by converting prior film-based diagnostic and screening mammograms into a digital imaging format so they can be viewed in conjunction with digital mammography exams on one diagnostic workstation.

Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) has announced the addition of a mammography digitizing system from Carestream Healthcare, Inc. (Rochester, NY, USA) to its Accessory Solutions product range. The digitizer is offered through Siemens to U.S. healthcare providers.

"With this high-performance digitizer, our customers can help mammography providers enhance their productivity and achieve the benefits of an all-digital workflow enabled by our digital mammography systems,” said Anders Steiner, vice president, Special Systems, Siemens Healthcare. "Facilities will now be able to transition from their current processes, which require them to retrieve, display, and re-file prior film-based mammography exams.”

The digitizer's automatic processing capability allows up to 50 film images to be scanned without operator intervention. The system also provides automatic identification and orientation of images, as well as automatic retrieval of patient data from radiology information systems.

"Our fully featured digitizer helps improve operator productivity by providing automatic functions that reduce the need for manual tasks,” said Michael N. Benol, director, business development, CAD Business, Carestream Health. "Healthcare facilities are reporting that this digitizer has played an influential role in helping their facilities establish a streamlined digital workflow for mammography imaging.”

Carestream Health is a leading provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare information technology (IT) solutions; molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments; and X-ray film and digital X-ray products for the non-destructive testing market.

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services.


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