Siemens Introduces New Standard of Care for Breast Ultrasound

Increased information density, automation and intelligent clinical applications take workflow efficiency in ultrasound to an all new level 


CHICAGO, Ill., Nov. 26  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Healthcare (http://www.siemens.com/healthcare) highlights the ACUSON S2000(TM) Automated Breast Volume Scanner (ABVS)(1), the world's first multi-use, automated volume breast ultrasound system, at the 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) from November 30 to December 5 at McCormick Place (Booth #922, East Building/Lakeside Center, Hall D) in Chicago. Siemens also demonstrates how Tissue Strain Analytics(2), a new dimension of diagnostic information, and intelligent knowledge-based workflow solutions, empower physicians to leverage ever-increasing imaging information density to achieve greater diagnostic confidence and decreased study time.

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According to the New England Journal of Medicine(3), dense breast tissue increases a woman's risk of breast cancer up to five-fold. While mammography remains the method of choice for breast cancer screening, a study(4) published by the RSNA in 2002 found that the detection rate for nonpalpable, invasive breast cancers increased by 42 percent when mammography was followed by an ultrasound examination.

"I am convinced that Automated Breast Volume Scanning can make a significant contribution in diagnostic confidence for women with dense breast tissue and inconclusive mammograms," said Klaus Hambuechen, CEO, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. Examinations performed with the ACUSON S2000 ABVS technique generally take less than 15 minutes. "Time well spent if you consider the extended diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound in dense breasts," he says.

Unique Anatomical Coronal View

The ACUSON S2000 ABVS system automatically and quickly acquires full-field sonographic volumes for comprehensive review and diagnosis of the breast streamlining workflow and reducing operator dependence and variability. The system also features the intuitive, anatomical coronal plane, not available using conventional ultrasound. This view provides a more understandable representation of the global anatomy and architecture of the breast. Semi-automated reporting and comprehensive BI-RADS(R) reporting capabilities further enhance the clinical workflow.

The ACUSON S2000 ABVS has an innovative, mobile in-suite design combining the advanced ACUSON S2000(TM) ultrasound system with a transducer specifically designed for automated ultrasound breast volume imaging. To further optimize high-volume patient care, the system also supports innovative breast imaging applications, such as fatty tissue and eSie Touch(TM) elasticity imaging.

Increased Diagnostic Information for Liver Disease and Other Organs

The world's first commercially available implementations of Acoustic Radiation Force Imaging (ARFI), Virtual Touch(TM) Tissue Imaging(5) and Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification(6) premiere on the ACUSON S2000 ultrasound system. Similar to a physical palpation exam, these leading-edge technologies represent a new dimension of diagnostic information by interrogating the mechanical strain properties or stiffness of tissue, which may be correlated with pathology.

"Virtual Touch Tissue Imaging adds an independent parameter to our existing morphological diagnostic process," said Professor William Lees, MD, of the University College London Hospital (UCLH), United Kingdom, who has worked with the technology for over a year now. "The more parameters we have, the more confident our diagnosis can be."

Complementing the strain analysis is Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification, which is the first and only application to provide a numerical value related to tissue stiffness at a precise anatomical location. The application is highly promising in identifying early stages of liver diseases causing cirrhosis. Early studies show that it proved extremely sensitive in diagnosing fibrosis and distinguishing it from normal liver and cirrhosis.

Knowledge-based Workflow

Siemens will also demonstrate the clinical and economic benefits of knowledge-based workflow applications across their all-new ACUSON ultrasound product line, which automate and streamline a broad range of routine clinical tasks. Using learned pattern recognition from an expert database of thousands of clinical cases, knowledge-based workflow applications recognize anatomical patterns and landmarks and can automatically perform measurements and other routine tasks to achieve a whole new level of accuracy and efficiency. For example, syngo(R) eSieCalcs(TM) native tracing software features proprietary border detection technology to facilitate lesion or anatomical structure boundary segmentation and syngo AutoOB measurements allow automatic biometric measurements of the fetus (BPD, HC, AC, FL, HL, CRL). Knowledge-based workflow applications help to achieve consistent and reproducible measurements with high speed and fidelity across a wide range of applications and users.

To learn more about the Siemens Ultrasound innovations, please visit http://www.siemens.com/ultrasound. You can also tune in to listen to the "Advances in Medical Imaging" audio features of these and other Siemens Ultrasound news at Reach MD XM157 or http://www.reachmd.com/. Hosts Dr. Jason Birnholz, president of Diagnostic Ultrasound Consultants in Oakbrook, Ill., and Dr. Beverly Hashimoto, Ultrasound Section Head at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, cover a wide range of ultrasound topics, including "Sonography Workflow Automation," "Handheld Ultrasound in the ER," "Tissue Strain Imaging," and "3D and 4D Echocardiography in Cardiology." The program airs every weekday on XM 157 and is also available online at http://www.reachmd.com/medicalimaging (promo code: Siemens).

  (1) 510 (k) pending; not available in the United States
  (2) Not available in the United States


(3) N Engl J Med 356;3. Boyd N.F. et Al., Mammographic Density and the Risk and Detection of Breast Cancer

(4) Radiology 2002;225:165-175. Kolb T.M. et Al., Comparison of the Performance of Screening Mammography, Physical Examination, and Breast US and Evaluation of Factors that Influence Them: An Analysis of 27,825 Patient Evaluations

  (5) Not available in the United States
  (6) Not available in the United States




The Siemens Healthcare Sector 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 integrated healthcare 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. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 11.2 billion, orders of euro 11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euro 1.2 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 Medical Solutions USA, Inc.,

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Web Site:  http://www.siemens.com/healthcare 

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