GE Healthcare introduces it's new automated breast ultrasound for dense breast

There could not have been more appropriate time for the launch of GE Healthcare new Invenia Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) 2.0 than October, which is celebrated as breast cancer awareness month. The Invenia ABUS is the only FDA approved 3D ultrasound system for supplemental screening for breast cancer along with mammography.

In conjunction with mammography, it increases the chances of cancer detection in the dense breast by 55%. All breasts are not the same, the density of breast is determined by a proportion of fat and breast tissue—when the percentage of breast tissue exceeds that of fat, breasts are labeled as being dense.

Dense breast tissue and cancer both appear white on mammograms, thereby creating a diagnostic dilemma for the radiologists. It is estimated that about 71% of all breast cancers occur in dense breast and 1 in 3 cancers are missed by mammography. 

In the USA, about 40% of women have dense breast; thereby putting them at increased risk of having breast cancer and detection at a late stage. Early detection of breast cancer increases the chance of cure and patients may void chemotherapy.

The Invenia ABUS uses particular software-based graphics processor to capture operator independent, high-quality images making it possible to reproduce consistent images every time the machine is used. Unlike manual device, the focal zone and grain are automatically adjusted eliminating the inter-operator variability.  All these features enable the Invenia to pick-up small cancers that are predominantly invasive but node negative,  culminating into substantial patient benefits.

Invenia ABUS also provides 2-mm thick coronal slices which allow the operator an efficient visualization of the entire breast for architectural distortions and multifocal disease. With the reconstruction of 2-mm thick coronal slices, it is easy to obtain a persistent orientation and location of the lesions relative to the nipple and to scan the entire breast from the skin to chest wall.

The machine is also designed keeping patients comfort at the forefront. The gentle Reverse Curve™ transducer is designed according to the natural contour of breast allowing full contact and effective compression. The operator can customize the examination by programmable scan protocols to personalize it to patient needs.

The windows 10 provides a user-friendly interface to review, interpret patients' results quickly. Compression time can be shortened once tissue acquisition is complete. The three-view layout and Auto Prior Compare enable the physician to compare the results and focus on a region of interest.

“We believe ABUS can help clinicians find significantly more cancers than mammography alone, especially in women with dense breasts,” said Luke Delaney, general manager of Automated Breast Ultrasound at GE Healthcare, in a published statement. “As breast ultrasound technology continues to advance, we are investing to continually improve image quality, workflow, and patient comfort – all of which contribute to early detection and improved outcomes.”

Here is a video about the Invenia ABUS 2.0 acquisition process

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FDA clears first 2D digital mammography system that allows patients to control the compression

Courtesy: GE healthcare 

GE Healthcare announced today FDA 510(k) clearance of an industry-first, patient-assisted mammography system, Senographe Pristina Dueta that makes mammography experience more comfortable by putting the control in patients’ own hands.

Agnes Berzsenyi, President and CEO of GE Healthcare Women’s Health said in a press release, “Mammograms can be uncomfortable or even painful. Engineered by a team of women for women, GE Healthcare has transformed mammography with the creation of patient-assisted compression to decrease pain associated with the exam, improve patient experience and increase outcomes for breast cancer screening which we know saves lives.”

The patient is handed the remote-control device with a plus and minus button on it as she is getting ready for the procedure.  In traditional mammography, the technician decides the amount of compression necessary and it often make the patient very uncomfortable. While compression is still necessary to get a good image, in this new system the patient can gradually increase the compression till the desired level is achieved.

Giving the control in patient’s hands makes them more relaxed, more cooperative and they move less, resulting in a better-quality image. A study by Gustave Roussy analyzing patient response to the new mammography system found that 83 per cent of patients surveyed were extremely satisfied with the exam.

Dr. Kathy Schilling, Medical Director of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Christine E. Lynn Women’s Health & Wellness Center and the radiologist who conducted a clinical review of the new tool said, ““This is a new age in breast imaging. Patients who used the remote control said the exam was more comfortable and they were visibly more relaxed. Any breast radiologist knows that when patients are relaxed, we are able to get better images and better images lead to a more confident diagnosis. My hope is that increasing comfort during the exam and giving patients the option of working with the technologist to set their own compression will increase compliance, enable early detection and improve outcomes.”

Senographe Pristina is a totally redesigned mammography with rounded edges and a thinner image detector to create a more pleasant experience for women as well as armrests that position women to relax rather than tense up during the compression and image acquisition process.

“Senographe Pristina was designed with empathy. It humanizes the mammography experience by increasing comfort and reducing patient anxiety. The system's potential to help increase the number of annual screening exams is a critical advancement in women's healthcare.” Agnes Berzsenyi further added.

GE releases new portable compact ultrasound: The Vscan extend

Vscan Extend 

GE Healthcare first released its Vscan pocket size ultrasound in 2010, making it possible for the physician to make advances visualization in any room. Building on the legacy, Vscan extend is in markets now.[1]

It features two ultrasound probes built into the transducer head, which is connected via a wire to a smartphone-like touchscreen display.

It can be used anytime, anywhere and with its Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine(DICOM) integration it can connect seamlessly to the hospital picture archiving and communication system(PACS) and upload images for record keeping.

It is also first system to leverage the GE Marketplace and thus can be used for wide range of applications. In addition, through the GE app ecosystem the physician can download and save data to customize the device according to his specialty practice. It is especially useful in bladder volume and lung imaging. It also offers cloud-based image communication. Vscan Extend™ comes with high level data security standards ensuring encrypted data both at rest and on the move.

“Clinicians benefit from immediate and simple access to medical imaging and care for their patients,” said Rob Walton, General Manager of Primary Care Ultrasound for GE Healthcare. “The Vscan Extend provides this expanded care, and will enable traditional ultrasound users in addition to reaching new and emerging users to help improve patient care around the world.”  

The device weigh less than a pound and can be easily carried around in pockets. It is especially useful for point of care emergency scans.

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[1] http://www3.gehealthcare.co.uk/en-gb/products/categories/ultrasound/vscan_family/vscan_extend