A press release by Philips shows impressive credentials of the new system: Philips introduces first echocardiography system to generate 3D measurements of the heart in less than one minute.
Andover, Massachusetts, USA — Royal Philips Electronics today announced the launch of a new generation of cardiac ultrasound equipment that uses high definition imaging to help physicians diagnose heart disease and on-cart data analysis tools that help make treatment decisions and monitor their success. The iE33 intelligent echocardiography system features extraordinary levels of 2D image quality, powerful 2D and 3D measurement of cardiac function and anatomy, Live 3D imaging of the beating heart, and user centered ergonomics. The iE33 system also offers a wide range of high-performance features including voice-activated control and automated image optimization technologies.
The iE33 is the first premium echocardiography system to feature fully integrated 2D and 3D cardiac quantification software for measurements such as left ventricle (LV) volume and ejection fraction, key indicators of heart health. Physicians can use the data acquired from these types of examinations to potentially determine treatment options and monitor the patient’s progress.
Improved image quality for both 2D and Live 3D imaging is available using the iE33 system. The system’s new line of transducers includes the S5-1 with PureWave crystal technology; the biggest breakthrough in transducer material in 40 years. PureWave is an entirely new class of piezoelectric material (the “crystal” that transmits and receives ultrasound) whose properties allow greater transmit efficiency than conventional transducers. The resulting 2D and color flow images display astonishingly crisp and clear anatomic and physiological details that help to enhance diagnostic confidence, even on the most technically challenging patients.
Philip’s next generation xMATRIX transducer technology, the core of Live 3D Echo, is utilized in the new X3-1 transducer. Tuned for the greater adult population, this fully sampled matrix array transducer delivers true, real-time 3D volumes that allow physicians to examine the beating heart as if they were holding it in their hands. It also allows Live xPlane Imaging, which displays two simultaneous views of the heart from the same heartbeat. One image is a 2D baseline reference and the second image can be any of 180 different views within the 3D space.
iE33 home page is located here. To view videos of the new system, please go to this Philips page.