Philips launches new PET scanner and radiation monitoring system for radiology staff

9 March 2010

Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) launched its latest PET/CT scanner, the GEMINI LXL, at the European Congress of Radiology last week. It offers many of the features available on premium systems for those working in the clinical areas of both radiology and oncology.

Also making its European debut is DoseAware, a new dose-saving solution for interventional radiology procedures.

The GEMINI LXL offers advanced applications and helps to optimize workflow and streamline operations. Featured in the GEMINI LXL are workflow improvements and the availability of a 'One-Touch" couch motion enabler. Streamlined workflow is also included for cardiac scanning, from easier cardiac gating setup and data storage to a cardiac alignment application which simplifies the process of cardiac re-alignment.

The GEMINI LXL features state-of-the-art crystal and detector technology, optimized system sensitivity for clinical procedures, improved image quality with optimized reconstruction and image processing. It also enables improved accuracy with patient motion management due to its 4D PET/CT imaging capabilities.

Modern crystals and detector technology have been used for the GEMINI LXL, which significantly improves image quality and leads to a faster output of scans. Not only can it be used for imaging in the oncology field, but it can also be adjusted with various cardiac applications such as Emory Cardiac Toolbox and Cedars AutoQuant.

High Definition PET reconstruction and 4D PET/CT imaging (optional) enhance the image quality, resulting in optimized reconstruction and improved accuracy with patient motion management.

“The GEMINI LXL offers in-demand technologies in a highly cost-efficient system” states Dominic Smith, Vice President of Marketing. “This is the first time premium imaging performance has been accessible to such a wide range of health care operations.”

The GEMINI LXL PET/CT scanner will be released in the second quarter of 2010.

DoseAware

DoseAware is a system that allows for real time feedback of radiation exposure to all of the people in the fluoroscopic suite. It  allows the team members to make almost instantaneous improvements in order to minimize their respective X-ray dose during a procedure.

“DoseAware is one of the most important new tools available to help reduce unnecessary medical radiation exposure to physicians and staff. It's a much easier and practical way to monitor levels than conventional methods. Creating a safer work environment is not only the right thing to do, but our obligation.” states Jane Kiah, Director Cardiac and Vascular Services at Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Miami.

The invisible nature of radiation makes the real time assessment of radiation dose critical. DoseAware consists of wireless real time radiation badges, worn by all of the members of the team, and quantitatively displaying the scattered X-ray dose being absorbed by every member of the team.

The base station hangs adjacent to the imaging monitors and displays the amount of dose being exposed to on the screen. This allows for instantaneous feedback by the operator to reduce X-ray dose, like using a shield, stepping back a few feet, or lowering the detector. They are all quantitatively demonstrated to the operators in the room during the procedure and serve as positive reinforcement.

The fact that the operators can immediately review the effect of their actions, completes the feedback loop and helps to develop a healthy way of working. In the longer term DoseAware will allow for a more comprehensive evaluation utilizing the time stamped recorded X-ray dose information.