Esaote S.p.A. Harnesses Texas Instruments DSPs To Deliver Next-Generation Medical Diagnostic Systems
HOUSTON and MUNICH, Germany, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Esaote S.p.A., one of the world's leading designers of medical diagnostic systems, has leveraged digital signal processing (DSP) technology from Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) to create a line of next-generation diagnostic products including ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imagers (MRIs) and electrocardiograms (ECGs). Esaote's new medical devices feature state-of-the- art functionality and mobility at price points that will bring these much- needed tools to a wider range of patients and healthcare workers. For more information, please visit Esaote at the TI booth #125 in Hall A4 at electronica 2006 in Munich from November 14-17, 2006.
Drawing from both fixed-point and floating-point DSP solutions, Esaote was able to build their platforms around efficient devices that acted as both signal processors and as controllers for the board functions. The TMS320C5x(TM), TMS320C67x(TM) and TMS320C64x(TM) DSP generations were utilized and TI tools such as Code Composer Studio(TM) IDE, emulators and simulators eased the design process.
"TI offers a broad, compatible product portfolio that enabled us to develop several very different devices using a variety of DSPs but with the same tools and development environment," said Marco Brusaca, Ultrasound R&D manager at ESAOTE. "This was fundamental to our success because it permitted us to leverage industry-best performance, power consumption and price where needed while simplifying the development cycle, allowing us to focus on the new applications and features that truly differentiate our product lines."
Esaote's new MyLab(TM) XVision Series of high-tech Ultrasound Systems products are based on state-of-the-art digital platforms powered by TI DSPs. The XVision products provide exceptional resolution and feature highly sophisticated technologies including XStrain(TM) advanced cardiac technique for myocardial function evaluation, Virtual Navigator tracking system for interventional imaging and 4D advanced technology for detailed obstetric and general purpose evaluations. The new modular systems have compact profiles to ensure unmatched portability and include such innovative features as tilting LCD monitors. Exceptional diagnostic performance and unequaled maneuverability allow them to be used in nearly unlimited hospital applications and they are ideally suited for mobile services.
G-scan, Esaote's new open and tilting MRI system for all musculoskeletal applications, leverages the performance and price points of TI DSPs to deliver a next-generation diagnostic tool that is easy to use and features a low break-even point, making MRI affordable for those medical facilities that have a reduced MRI case load.
As all Esaote MRI systems, the G-scan is very easy to site as the complete system can be installed in a single room of only 27-m2. Suitable for any clinical environment, G-scan completely rewrites the book on the logistics of the diagnostic process and represents a new way of looking at extremity MRI, providing new opportunities to a larger range of patients who can benefit from a wider availability to MRI. Imaging of the spine in a natural, weight- bearing standing position is now possible with the G-scan. Esaote's new cost- effective ECG product line can function as stand-alone units or as part of larger, high-performance networks that allow cardiologists to integrate and manage data from multiple diagnostic applications. This functionality and flexibility are made possible by harnessing TI DSPs. The new ECGs can be connected to other units or linked to a PC to expand archiving and processing functions and to provide maximum connectivity. They can be linked with external low cost PC printers and communication modules, thus allowing it to compete in cost sensitive applications, such as low cost 12-channel electrocardiography and telemedicine.
"Esaote is tapping into the performance, power and price points of our fixed-point and floating-point DSP devices to create cutting-edge medical diagnostic equipment that is available to everyone," said Cyril Clocher, DSP Catalog business development manager EMEA at Texas Instruments. "We look forward to working with them in the future as they further push the boundaries of healthcare information systems."
In addition to the DSP, Esaote's products leverage TI's high-performance analog signal chain and power management technology. For example, the OPA364 precision 1.8-V operational amplifier and the ADS8320 low-power 16-bit analog- to-digital converter are optimized for low-voltage, battery-operated systems.
About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments Incorporated provides innovative DSP and analog technologies to meet our customers' real world signal processing requirements. In addition to Semiconductor, the company includes the Educational & Productivity Solutions business. TI is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries.
Texas Instruments is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TXN. More information is located on the World Wide Web at http://www.ti.com .
About Esaote S.p.A.:
Esaote S.p.A. is one of the world's leading producers of medical diagnostic systems, well established as Europe-based leading ultrasound manufacturer, and internationally acknowledged to be the world leader in dedicated MRI.
ESAOTE Group is also one of the main players in the sector of Information Technology for healthcare. The R&D structures enjoy significant cooperation with many international research centres and universities, specially in the development of all MyLab(TM) XVision ultrasound system series and their highly-advanced imaging technologies, such as Very High Frequency Sonography imaging (VHFS), and all MRI dedicated systems.
Through an international distribution network ESAOTE is present in over 60 countries in the world with more than 1100 employees.
The MyLab(TM) XVision product family and G-scan MRI system will be presented at the incoming International Congresses as the effective result of the highly technical development in state-of-the-art technologies.
For more information about Esaote, visit http://www.esaote.com
Trademarks
TMS320C5x, TMS320C67x, TMS320C64x and Code Composer Studio are trademarks of Texas Instruments. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Texas Instruments IncorporatedCONTACT: Tim Frost of Texas Instruments Incorporated, U.S.,+1-281-274-3223, or tfrost@ti.com , or Daniela Koeppe of Texas InstrumentsIncorporated, EMEA, +33-493-22-29-47, or koe@ti.com ; or InternationalActivities Dept. of Esaote S.P.A., +39-055-4229-417, orinternational.sales@esaote.com . Please do not publish these numbers oremail addresses.
Web site: http://www.ti.com/http://www.esaote.com/