Philips Delivers New Radiology Products at 2006 RSNA That Present Clinicians with a Clear View of Patient Data and a Clear Path to Patient Care
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Company Unveils New Patient-Centric Nuclear Medicine Gamma Camera, Advancements in Interventional Imaging, Lung Nodule Detection and New Data on Reduction in Sedation Rates for Children in Ambient Suite
CHICAGO- Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today introduced the Philips BrightView SPECT system, a compact nuclear medicine camera that offers exceptional image quality and is highly scalable to meet varying customer requirements. This system, along with other new solutions, such as Philips GEMINI TF combined PET/CT system, Philips xLNA computer-aided detection (CAD) software, Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series, and Philips Live 3D guidance tools, will be showcased at the Philips exhibit floor booth at the 92nd annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) in Chicago.
"Any imaging company can provide clinicians with a lot of data. But at Philips, we strive to intuitively, instantly and accurately pinpoint the right information to help physicians, nurses and technologists provide the best possible patient care," said Steve Rusckowski, CEO, Philips Medical Systems. "Evident from our complete portfolio of healthcare products, and technologies introduced this year, Philips consistently develops patient-focused solutions for every stage of care while improving access to systems that enhance overall quality of care."
Rich in features, compact in design
Philips BrightView single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) system offers exceptional image quality in a fast, easy-to-use package and is surprisingly compact given its capabilities. Outfitted with a wide range of innovations to help healthcare providers manage patient care, BrightView SPECT is a fully featured variable angle camera differentiated by exclusive Philips CloseUp technologies, which enable higher resolution through smarter software, new electronics and minimal distance between detector and patient.
BrightView SPECT addresses current clinical needs, while also supporting future healthcare advancements. The scanner is designed to meet the growing diversity in patient size and its open gantry provides a positive patient experience without compromising system stability. The system's customizable yet automated acquisition capabilities aid in streamlining workflow and leveraging future innovations in molecular imaging. These capabilities include advanced robotics as well as the ability to obtain multiple acquisition protocols simultaneously.
Breakthrough PET/CT system delivers improved lesion detection and patient comfort
Philips will be showcasing unprecedented clinical results from its GEMINI TF (time-of-flight) PET/CT system, now available in a 64-channel CT configuration. Also now available on select GEMINI configurations is a PET/CT Pulmonary Toolkit solution that provides a unique combination of respiratory correlated imaging and intuitive patient feedback.
Philips is presenting an innovative leap forward in positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) hybrid scanners with the new GEMINI TF 64-channel configuration. The system extracts the true benefits of time-of-flight imaging by enhancing small lesion detectability, shortening scan times, reducing patient dose and delivering exceptional image quality in oncology, cardiology, neurology and molecular imaging. GEMINI TF marks the world's first commercially available time-of-flight PET/CT system, in which gamma rays are more accurately tracked using extremely precise time measurements.
Raising effective image sensitivity by more than two times over conventional PET, the GEMINI TF shortens image acquisition to less than 10 minutes for a whole-body PET scan, even for larger patients who previously needed much longer scan times. Consistent with all GEMINI PET/CT systems, GEMINI TF also features Philips' patented OpenView gantry design, allowing for increased patient comfort.
Lung nodules - the next generation of computer-aided detection
The new Philips xLNA Enterprise 2.0 is the next generation of computer-aided detection (CAD) software that helps physicians visualize, identify, evaluate and report pulmonary lesions and nodules in digital radiographic chest images. With thousands of chest X-rays performed every day, this software has the potential to turn each X-ray into an effective warning system to detect small lung nodules. The system also allows radiologists to interactively add further comments and measurements to each marked potential lung nodule. These enhanced capabilities have the potential to raise diagnostic confidence and improve quality of care. xLNA Enterprise 2.0 will be available in the U.S., China and Europe in the first quarter of 2007.
Most compact 3.0T MR and SmartExam provide ease of use and comfort of 1.5T
The new Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series MR system features new X-series technology encompassing magnet, gradient and RF advancements which provide enhanced performance and a larger field of view. The Achieva 3.0T X-series allows clinicians to conduct routine to advanced imaging across all clinical applications on a system that is as comfortable, compact and easy to use as a 1.5T. Furthermore, the new Achieva 3.0T X-series will be available in a mobile configuration, the first and only one of its kind in the industry.
With features like 2K Imaging, 4D-TRAK, SENSE, FiberTrak, SENSE Spectroscopy, and DWIBS (diffusion-weighted whole body imaging with background body signal suppression), the Achieva 3.0T X-series provides the high speed and resolution clinicians need to quickly and accurately assess results. Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series also features SmartExam, allowing newer users to get expert results with one-click planning, scanning and processing.
Live 3D guidance improves catheter control
At RSNA 2006, the company will showcase Philips Dynamic 3D Roadmap and Philips XperGuide (available in 2007)-new solutions for the Philips Allura Xper family of angiography (angio) labs. These easy-to-use tools have been developed to address interventional radiologists' need for imaging solutions that provide both 3D and real-time anatomical insight in one view. Both technologies provide live 3D guidance for interventional radiologists and neuro-radiologists, increasing control and helping to speed navigation of catheters or needles through complex anatomical areas.
Specifically, Dynamic 3D Roadmap integrates live fluoroscopy with a 3D rotational angio roadmap, supporting catheter and guide wire navigation. Similarly, XperGuide links angiographic CT imaging (from Philips XperCT) and live fluoroscopy on a single display, allowing better visualization of the needle, the target and surrounding anatomy.
Providing clinical information throughout the healthcare enterprise to optimize patient care
Philips Healthcare Informatics solutions provide clinical information to all caregivers in the healthcare enterprise to optimize patient care. Philips will be showcasing iSite PACS (Picture Archiving and Communications Systems) which is a proven, extremely reliable solution for the efficient and timely delivery of medical images and reports to referring physicians throughout the hospital. Using innovative and efficient transmission technology, Philips iSite PACS transmits medical images in under three seconds. Its unique "pay-per-study" business model fits customer needs, where customers pay to view, distribute and store medical images rather than buy a PACS system up front.
Philips will also showcase iSite PACS with advanced 3D visualization tools as well as advanced clinical applications. Philips iSite PACS can give all caregivers within the enterprise access to these clinical visualization tools and applications, utilizing its high performance iSyntax distribution technology and the iSite Platform API. By means of iSyntax integration these tools offer transparent enterprise wide access to slab MPR, MIP and advanced Volume Visualization for improved results sharing and decision making. This revolutionary Philips solution allows all users to navigate through large and volumetric datasets without having to download the full dataset first. These solutions also do not require separate dedicated infrastructures and can run on existing networks.
Philips will also be showcasing the latest versions of EasyAccess PACS, the Xcelera Cardiovascular Information Solution, as well as the ability for customers to integrate third-party applications and other Philips solutions via the iSite Platform API.
More time, more studies with Brilliance Everywhere solution
Philips' optional Brilliance Everywhere solution offers full viewing and 3D volumetric CT imaging as well as cardiac, vascular, stroke, colon and lung applications to "any chair of your choice" such as an iSite PACS workstation, Extended Brilliance Workspace CT workstation or even a connected PC at home. Philips' breakthrough Brilliance Everywhere solution maximizes radiologists' time by allowing them to complete more studies without having to "change chairs" to access needed information. It also makes good business sense for a radiology practice to use the private network to connect to referring physicians in any area - pulmonology, cardiology, neurology or gastroenterology. This improves the radiologist's ability to communicate with referring physicians and build a strong referral base to grow their practice and improve one-on-one interaction with referring clinicians.
Reducing ultrasound exam times by 30 percent
New technologies included in the Philips iU22 ultrasound system are helping clinicians shorten exam times, expand the clinical utility of volumetric imaging and provide new tools for interventional procedures. Customizable protocol-driven exams have been clinically proven to reduce some ultrasound exam times by as much as 30 percent and improve exam consistency and accuracy across the department. iSLICE intelligent slicing technology uses volumetric datasets to provide progressive views of anatomy with one sweep and helps clinicians quickly find the best views for diagnoses. New image enhancements are optimizing needle visualization for faster, less invasive biopsy procedures making the iU22 a comprehensive solution to assist in planning, guiding and assessing liver tumor ablations.
Helping hospitals save time, manpower and money
Helping hospitals to focus on the patient, Philips' asset tracking solution helps locate hospital assets through Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. The solution is designed to work within existing wireless infrastructure, allowing hospitals to leverage investments they have already made in wireless technology.
Philips' asset tracking solution consists of a suite of services to maximize the solution's benefits, including wireless tags, a location engine and the MobileView user interface. Product tracking information is fed into the location engine and the asset's position can then be portrayed on a map, in a table, or in a report format for any networked hospital user. In addition to pinpointing lost equipment, the information gathered from the asset tracking solution can help improve asset utilization and work flow efficiencies.
Empowering physicians and hospitals with mobile access to patient data
Philips will also showcase a powerful platform for mobile access to patient data with Philips ProScribe, a shock- and water-resistant cordless display with embedded wireless thin-client technology. The solution helps hospitals increase the efficiency of medical document creation through intelligent front-end speech recognition. Powered by Philips SpeechMagic speech recognition technology, ProScribe's mobile access to patient data and central software applications helps ensure seamless information flow throughout the hospital.
With ProScribe, healthcare providers can fully benefit from server-based computing architecture in which Electronic Medical Records (EMR), PACS, Radiology Information Systems (RIS) and other applications are stored centrally. With a large touch screen, display emulated keyboard and integrated wireless LAN, ProScribe can be operated without any other external devices.
Relaxing patients with sounds and images rather than drugs
In addition to reporting increased satisfaction among patients and their families, John Anastos, D.O., chairman, Department of Radiology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, reports that the Philips Ambient Experience CT suite has helped Advocate Lutheran significantly reduce sedation rates for some of its smallest patients. "It's been over a year since we installed Philips Ambient Experience in our pediatric CT suite. In that time, we have achieved a 16 percent reduction in the rate of sedation for children under the age of 18, and a 28 percent reduction for children under the age of four."
According to Chris Semler, R.N., B.S.N., Advocate Lutheran, throughput has also increased. "If we sedate a patient, it adds at least four hours to the procedure time. Without sedation, most scans can be accomplished within 30 minutes. The time savings allow us to schedule four patients a day versus one patient a day," she said.
This is especially helpful, as word of mouth has brought an influx of new patients to the facility. "Our kids are telling other kids, 'Go to Advocate Lutheran and you'll see a light show.' Plus, the kids are going back and telling their doctors about the great experience they had," says Semler. "We couldn't ask for a better measure of success."
For the first time at RSNA, Philips will showcase the Ambient Experience Catheterization (Cath) Lab. Illustrating Philips' vision of thinking 'beyond the system' by combining design elements with smart Philips technologies, the Ambient Experience Cath Lab's unique design helps eliminate unnecessary physical barriers in the imaging suite for better patient and staff interaction, reduced clutter and improved workflow.
The Ambient Experience Cath Lab provides a comforting and calming atmosphere for patient as well as staff. During interventional procedures, many patients experience significant stress. A pleasant environment with personalized lights, themes and music, as well as technology designed to look more like part of the natural surroundings, is designed to facilitate patient relaxation and cooperation with clinical staff.
"The collection of cutting-edge health technologies on display at this year's RSNA showcases Philips' commitment to providing better access to healthcare, for anybody, anytime and anywhere it is needed," said Rusckowski. "With Philips' distinguished line of healthcare solutions, simplicity is assisting health providers in improving workflow and delivering detailed clinical insights that focus on improving patient care."
Please find additional information on new product showcased on the show floor in the attached fact sheets. All of these products will be featured at the Philips booth, number 1929, located at McCormick Place, South Building.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity." Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 126,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of $37.7 billion (EUR 30.4 billion) in 2005, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
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