See More, Do More: Siemens Highlights New Generation of Interventional Imaging Systems for Cardiology at ACC

New Artis zee Family Provides Interventional Cardiologists with Enhanced Imaging for Faster, More Precise Procedures 


CHICAGO, March 31  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular disease ranks as America's No. 1 killer, with an average of one death every 37 seconds. Poor eating habits, lack of exercise and the obesity epidemic have contributed to the surge of Americans with cardiac issues. To address this nationwide crisis, the medical community has stepped up by developing holistic cardiology solutions that not only provide earlier and better detection, but also enable doctors to treat cardiac patients with less invasive surgery.

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In response, Siemens Healthcare (http://www.siemens.com/healthcare) has introduced the Artis zee(R) family -- its next generation of interventional imaging systems for cardiology, offering enhanced image quality, optimized workflow, and increased return on investment. Siemens will be showcasing the new Artis zee family at the 57th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) from March 29 through April 1 at booth # 3006.

One of the first facilities in North America to receive Artis zee systems is Bethesda Heart Institute in Boynton Beach, Fla. "Artis zee from Siemens is extremely fast and provides superb imaging," said Dr. Louis D. Snyder, Medical Director, Bethesda Heart Institute. "The imaging enhancements mean we can see vessel edges more clearly and position stents with greater confidence resulting in more effective treatment for our patients, as well as greater efficiencies in our workflow."

The innovativeness of the Artis zee family is exemplified by the recently FDA 510(k) cleared Artis zeego(R), which extends imaging capabilities through virtually unrestricted C-arm positioning. The ability to deliver two non- concentric rotations supports advanced cross-sectional imaging, which is not achievable with traditional C-arm systems. The Artis zeego makes it possible for the position of the isocenter to be adjusted according to the procedural needs or the height of the physician, which is particularly beneficial to a physician during lengthy procedures, while wearing a heavy lead-shielded apron. Furthermore, the Artis zeego can be parked compactly to give the clinical team easier access to the patient, making it ideal for hybrid rooms.

Additionally, Frost & Sullivan recently selected the Artis zeego as winner of the 2008 Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award at their Excellence in Medical Technologies Awards banquet.

Faster, More Effective Procedures

The entire Artis zee family of systems features an enhanced imaging chain -- spanning acquisition to processing and documentation -- that delivers sharply detailed images required for interventional procedures, enhances clarity in 2D imaging, and enables an array of 3D imaging applications to help enhance clinical decision-making.

"The interventional cardiologist now faces greater demands than ever as the number of minimally invasive procedures grows and the need to visualize fine vessels and small devices is increasingly critical," said Claus Grill, Vice President, Angiography, Cardiac, and X-ray Systems, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "Siemens developed the Artis zee portfolio of products to provide clinicians with excellent image quality, enabling them to diagnose and treat with greater speed, efficiency and precision, all the while improving patient outcomes and workflow."

From 2D to 4D: Imaging a moving structure, such as the heart, has always been a challenge. Now, with the Artis zee, outstanding image quality is provided from 2D fluoroscopy and 3D imaging and even a 4D image application, where the time phases of the heartbeat are taken into account. In 2D fluoroscopy, features like advanced temporal filtration use an intelligent motion detection algorithm. This technology separates moving from non-moving structures in real time to improve the clarity of therapeutic instruments. Intelligent noise reduction enables high image quality during live fluoroscopy and acquisition by significantly reducing quantum noise without an increase in radiation exposure dose.

Stent and vessel visualization: Artis zee enables clinicians to see vessel edges more precisely than ever before, providing for improved stent positioning within seconds, which can be particularly difficult in obese patients. Stents and other interventional devices are becoming less radio- opaque, making visualization under fluoroscopy more difficult. Siemens IC stent, an automatic processing algorithm, is a tool that enhances stent visualization by combining multiple images and compensating for motion between images through a registration process. The fully automated process uses the gold markers of the deployment balloon as reference points. Images are automatically shifted and rotated to match the gold markers summed together to form a final image with a clearer visibility of the stent.

Additionally, Siemens syngo(R) DynaCT Cardiac, widens the 3D spectrum to 4D. By using rotational angiography and special reconstruction algorithms, syngo DynaCT Cardiac creates CT-like images of the beating heart right in the electrophysiology lab. During acquisition, it can use an ECG-triggered mode to acquire only images from the same heart phase. With this feature it is now possible to reconstruct 4D images of the heart and its vessels during the procedure.

Enhanced workflow: The Artis zee systems are designed to streamline workflows and create efficiencies to help keep pace with increased interventional volume. Intuitive, menu-driven workflows streamline such procedures as obtaining soft tissue results for both frequent and infrequent users. The Artis zee family also enables all system movements to be easily controlled with one ergonomic tableside device.

Configurable to each customer's unique needs: The Artis zee family is available in floor-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and biplane configurations including magnetic navigation, as well as the multi-axis Artis zeego. In addition to improving patient outcomes within the cardiology suite, Artis zee is also available for the interventional radiology and operating room environments, as well.

About Siemens Healthcare

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. 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. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 48,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euros 9.85 billion, orders of euros 10.27 billion, and group profit of euros 1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare 

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DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare



CONTACT:  Tom Schaffner of Siemens Healthcare, [phone],





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