Biospace Med, maker of X-ray imaging systems out of Paris, France, just received FDA approval to use the firm’s sterEOS 2D|3D workstation on pediatric patients to image the spine. The company claims that the system provides imagery competitive to that of CT scanners, but with only .1% of the radiation dose. Patients remain standing while the system simultaneously takes an X-ray from the front and laterally, after which a computer reconstructs the two frames into a three dimensional representation of the spine. This allows for quick imaging of patients in a weight bearing position while significantly reducing their radiation exposure compared with CT.
From the press announcement:
“FDA clearance for sterEOS pediatric use in spine will have a significant impact on demand for EOS as it will allow for the first time to visualize in 3D the spine deformations in the standing, weigh bearing position and retrieve fundamental clinical parameters for surgical planning. This is all done at a drastically reduced radiation exposure, and enables to repeat exams for a better follow up from childhood to adulthood,” said Peter Newton, M.D., Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, Ca. “Reduction of radiation exposure is especially important for children and adolescents who have scoliosis or other types of musculoskeletal disorders that are being followed on a frequent basis and therefore need to have regular x-rays over a long period of time to watch the progression of their condition and treatment. A technology that can reduce radiation exposure up to 10 times compared to a conventional x-ray and up to 100 or more times compared to a CT scan is a major breakthrough for orthopedic imaging, especially for the pediatric population.”
Press release: FDA clears Biospace med’s sterEOS 2D|3D workstation for pediatric use in spine…
Biospace Med homepage…
(hat tip: MassDevice)