SonoSite improves cardiology capabilities of MicroMaxx ultrasound System
14 November 2005
Dallas, USA. SonoSite, Inc. has enhanced the imaging capabilities of its
new handheld ultrasound system the MicroMaxx. It has added two new
cardiology transducers, the P10/8-4 for pediatric cardiology imaging and the
D2/2MHz CW Pedof for non-imaging, continuous wave Doppler to provide
improved access to obtain peak velocities within the heart.
Customer deliveries of the P10/8-4 transducer are scheduled to begin in
December and in the first quarter of 2006 for the CW Pedof probe.
The MicroMaxx system is the the size of a notebook and weighs less than
eight pounds. It delivers image resolution and performance comparable to
conventional cart-based ultrasound systems weighing over 200 pounds.
"For imaging in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, the smaller,
the better," says Achi Ludomirsky, MD, Director of Pediatric Cardiology at
St. Louis Children's Hospital and Professor, Washington University School of
Medicine. "The size, performance and human engineering of the MicroMaxx
provide a definite advantage. We used the new pediatric cardiac probe to
image the hearts of neonates weighing 2400 grams up to toddlers weighing 12
kg. and were pleased with the diagnostic quality of the 2D image and
spectral Doppler."
The upgrade also includes Pulsed Wave Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) for
velocity mapping of cardiac tissue. TDI is offered on the P10 and P17
transducers as well as the system's multiplane transesophageal (TEE/8-3)
transducer. TDI is available immediately and is a software upgrade to
existing MicroMaxx systems.
According to Yanick Beaulieu, MD, cardiologist, and Director of Bedside
Ultrasound at Hopital Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, the MicroMaxx system has
become an essential part of his practice. "Hand-carried ultrasound systems
can provide critical diagnostic information at the bedside that is not
available by physical examination alone," Dr. Beaulieu says. Dr. Beaulieu
recalls how during his cardiac residency his efforts to use big, cart-based
ultrasound in critical care departments were stymied by a lack of space.
"With the MicroMaxx," he says, "I can grab it and run to assess a patient in
cardiac arrest wherever they may be located in the hospital."
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