It’s huge! The Radiological Society of North America is at it again with the largest medical technology show in North America. Here are a few highlights, plus, as always, 24×7’s off-the-beaten-track recommendations so you can find the best Chicago dining and nightlife.
The 86th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2000) kicks off Nov. 26 at McCormick Place in Chicago, promising to “Explore the New Millennium” with attendees. Judging by the new technologies available in the imaging modalities, attendees will get a peek at what radiology techs in the new millennium will be servicing.
Toshiba America Medical Systems is releasing its Ultimax multipurpose X-ray system. Allan Berthe, X-ray product manager at Toshiba, says the Ultimax is designed for use in general diagnostic, R/F, interventional and angiographic studies. The Ultimax is FDA-cleared and should have several clinical sites up and running by the time of its formal launch at RSNA. The Ultimax uses the same digital processor as Toshiba’s Efficiency R&F line and will be available in six different standard configurations, ranging in price range from $800,000 to $950,000.
Eastman Kodak Co. began selling its new digital radiography systems in late September. The DirectView DR 9000 is designed for general radiography with a versatile rotating U-arm to perform head, chest, skeletal, extremity and trauma exams. The list price on the DR 9000 is $435,000 and it is available today. The DirectView DR 5000 is optimized for chest and upright exams and uses a digital bucky linked to a floor-mounted tube stand. Company officials said it carries a list price of $375,000. Kodak also is developing a digital retrofit offering, the DR 7000.
On the computed radiography (CR) front, Philips Medical Systems has worked with its CR partner Fuji Medical Systems to develop a low-end CR system called the Compact. Philips hopes to penetrate the lower-end market for clinics and hospitals of less than 250 beds.
Fuji, meanwhile, hopes to turn some heads on the show floor with its SmartCR technology. SmartCR is a single-plate device priced to attract digital X-ray facilities that may not be considering it.
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