ACUSON SC2000 Delivers Full Volume Heart Images in a Heartbeat

ACUSON SC2000 is a new system from Siemens, described by the company as “the world’s first echocardiography system to acquire instantaneous, non-stitched full-volume images of the heart in a single heartbeat.” At the heart of the system is a new 4Z1c transducer, designed to operate across all traditional imaging modes (M-mode, B-mode, spectral and color Dopplers, etc), yet specialized for full-volume, single beat acquisitions.
More details from a press release issued by Siemens during the 19th Annual Session of the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) in Toronto, June 7-11, 2008:

The proprietary 4Z1c transducer features revolutionary, patented active cooling technology, enabling full output power within regulatory limits. This results in improved penetration, reduced noise and high-volume acquisition rates when compared to conventional 3D transducers. The 4Z1c is a single transducer solution for adult echo applications that provides all the modes needed: volume imaging, 2D, M-mode, color Doppler, and spectral Doppler. This breakthrough technology showcases Siemens’ acoustic mastery and delivers on the long-awaited promise of true volume imaging for every patient.
The ACUSON SC2000 system is designed to support advanced cardiovascular applications. The knowledge-based workflow software uses learned pattern recognition technology and an expert database of real clinical cases. This enables the system to recognize anatomical patterns and landmarks, as well as to perform automatic measurements streamlining clinical workflow.
The system automatically derives reference plane images from the full-volume cardiac capture dataset and offers automated full-volume contouring for fast qualitative and quantitative analysis. Customizable, programmable, and protocol-driven workflow sequences deliver repeatability for better outcomes: greater efficiency, accuracy, consistency, and care — from data acquisition to diagnosis. To further enhance efficiency, the offline workstation enables reporting, as well as complete review and processing of the acquired volumes.
Besides using the latest technology advancements and applications to improve efficiency and workflow, Siemens has also addressed the ergonomics of the system to meet and exceed today’s recommended ergonomic guidelines to reduce work-related stress injuries and to accommodate the varied work environment of sonographers.

To understand how the system works, make sure to check out the 4Z1c Imaging Transducer product brochure (.pdf), and the brochure that describes High Information Rate Volumetric Ultrasound Imaging technology (.pdf)…
Product page: ACUSON SC2000 volume imaging ultrasound system…
(hat tip: Dana Blankenhorn)