HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The old adage says “a picture is worth 1,000 words,” but that value is undoubtedly higher in preclinical research where high-resolution images can validate years of work. Siemens Medical Solutions, Molecular Imaging division (www.usa.siemens.com/medical), manufacturer of the Inveon(TM) preclinical imaging system, continues to lead the preclinical imaging market, through a strong investment in its research partners and through the demand for the versatile and upgradeable Inveon platform.
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The Inveon is a modular system that allows users to combine positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT) acquisition systems in one unit. The system also delivers the industry’s highest PET resolution and sensitivity and it boasts a suite of research tools that improve the workflow of basic research. These tools can help speed the drug development process as they enable researchers to identify specific biological processes, monitor the efficacy of compounds, and measure the effects of disease progression over time.
Thirty Installed Systems
Siemens will install the 30th Inveon preclinical imaging system at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. The collaboration between Siemens and The Methodist Hospital was well-timed as Radiology Department Chairman, King Li, MD, FRCP, MBA, has led the department on a major commitment to establish research as an institutional priority. As such, The Methodist Hospital is experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and it has created The Methodist Hospital Research Institute (TMHRI) to advance these efforts.
“This transition necessitates the development of a strong academic radiology department that will provide core imaging research, especially molecular imaging support, to TMHRI investigators,” said Dr. Li. “An upgradeable platform like the Inveon is a perfect system to suit our needs today and we anticipate that it will be able to meet our needs for years to come.”
According to Dr. Li, the success of his team’s research efforts is contingent upon their ability to translate their findings into clinical applications that will improve patient care. Their success also hinges on their ability to conduct clinical trials to validate their hypotheses. The Inveon will play a critical support role in their publications on cancer, cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, metabolic disease and infectious disease.
“With 30 installed systems we are seeing tremendous enthusiasm for preclinical imaging,” said Michael Reitermann, president, Siemens Medical Solutions, Molecular Imaging Division. “The Inveon is being shipped in large quantities and we consider that a testament to the improvements that our system brings to research workflow. High-quality imaging will always be one of the best ways to prove the effectiveness of new therapies and to illustrate the mechanisms of many diseases.”
Upcoming Trade Show Activity
Siemens Medical Solutions is highlighting the Inveon at the Joint Molecular Imaging Conference, from Sept. 8-11 in Providence, R.I. Siemens will demonstrate its other clinical image acquisition products at the show. These systems were recently enhanced with the introduction of HD*PET, which adds high-definition imaging to the Biograph(TM) TruePoint(TM) family of hybrid PET*CT systems. The technology provides a unique, uniform resolution throughout the entire field of view. HD*PET eliminates the effect whereby the image loses resolution further out from the center of the field of view. This increased diagnostic accuracy can help physicians better detect peripheral lesions. This improved 2 mm resolution enables physicians to clearly visualize the smallest of lesions from the center to the edges of the field of view - a benefit unique to Siemens.
Siemens also offers software to improve the workflow of those reading clinical images. For instance, oncology departments can benefit from syngo TrueD software, which allows users to quickly fuse and compare up to three PET*CT or single photon emission computed tomography and CT (SPECT*CT) studies simultaneously. Using this method to examine anatomical or functional changes as a result of cancer therapy allows physicians to monitor progress over a course of treatment and to possibly make more timely decisions as to the effectiveness of treatment sooner. Patients who lack significant response may be moved to alternative therapies that could be more successful. In the neurological imaging environment, sophisticated computer-aided brain function analysis tools like syngo Scenium facilitate neurological evaluation by enabling automatic correlation of a patient study with an average brain scan for assessment of abnormalities.
Siemens Medical Solutions also offers products for the preparation of radiopharmaceuticals. The Explora(R) family of radiochemistry modules offers a comprehensive line of products for efficient preparation of radiolabeled PET compounds. All modules are computer controlled using a Windows(R) -based graphical user interface, offering both convenience and flexibility. On a larger scale, The Eclipse family of PET cyclotrons is Siemens solution for radioisotope production. The Eclipse cyclotron is an 11 MeV, negative ion, single particle accelerator designed for clinical and commercial production and distribution of 18-fluoride-based radiotracers, as well as production N- 13, 0-15 and C-11 isotopes for radiolabeling.
Tying it all together, Siemens Molecular Imaging (MI) University, a fundamental part of MI LifeNet - Siemens’ customer care initiative - provides a substantive training resource for Siemens’ customers. Today’s molecular imaging professionals require continuous education, training and the ability to share results. Designed to be used by the interpreting physician, referring physician and technologist, MI University demonstrates the benefits of hybrid PET*CT and SPECT*CT systems, including when and how hybrid imaging influences patient management, through access to valuable clinical data and detailed case studies; video lectures; product information; and a tool for information exchange among peers.
About The Methodist Hospital in Houston
The Methodist Hospital in Houston is one of the nation’s largest private, non-profit general hospitals. Dedicated to providing the highest level of patient care, Methodist has a 90 year legacy of medical breakthroughs, such as the world’s first multiple-organ transplant in the 1960s, gene therapy for prostate cancer, and the first islet cell transplants in Texas.
Methodist is ranked among the country’s top centers in 14 specialties in U.S News & World Report’s 2007 America’s Best Hospitals issue. Methodist is also 9th on FORTUNE’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2007.
Methodist is primarily affiliated with Weill Cornell Medical College and New York Presbyterian Hospital, two of the nation’s leading centers for patient care, medical education and research. Methodist also is affiliated with the University of Houston. For more information, call (713) 790-3333 or visit www.methodisthealth.com.
About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.
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CONTACT: Mark Palacio of Siemens Medical Solutions, +1-610-448-1477,mark.palacio@siemens.com
