KODAK LIMITED: Kodak Shows New Digital Radiography Platform AT RSNA

December, 2002

Kodak Shows New Digital Radiography Platform AT RSNA

Eastman Kodak Company has demonstrated its second generation of direct digital radiography (DR) products. This completely new system is built on a compact platform that includes: a new integrated touch-screen operator console, a new generator, bucky and tube stand, and Kodak DirectView PTS software. The Kodak DirectView DR 5100 system provides outstanding productivity for chest and other upright examinations for ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients.

Kodak’s new DR platform speeds patient throughput by automating image workflow and features DICOM 3.0 print and store capability. Training time can be reduced by providing the same “look and feel” user interface as Kodak’s popular family of computed radiography (CR) systems. The DR platform can also optionally interface to a hospital RIS system to provide worklist management, which automates entry of patient identification and demographic information.

Kodak also announced that its Kodak DirectView DR 7100 system, which is built on the same platform, has entered trade trials in the US. The DR 7100 is a single-detector system that uses a tilt table and overhead tube to perform general radiography exams.

Both DR 5100 and 7100 systems feature built-in Kodak DirectView PTS software with optional Kodak DirectView EVP software. Kodak DirectView PTS software applies a Kodak process to optimize tone scale, enhance edges and apply an optional black surround. This software also accommodates display parameters with custom settings for site-specific needs.

Importance of EVP Software
Optional Kodak DirectView EVP software works with Kodak DirectView PTS software to further enhance image quality by increasing latitude and reducing contrast of low-frequency areas of the image, while enhancing the high-frequency areas of the image to preserve detail.

Kodak EVP software can also improve productivity, according to a study published in the November 2001 issue of Academic Radiology. The study examined the application of Kodak EVP software to the soft copy reading of chest images captured by Kodak CR systems. Total viewing time was significantly shorter for the EVP images than the non-EVP images. The average improvement was 13 seconds, which represents about 22 minutes of overall savings in reading time for every 100 cases read. Most of the savings was represented by reduced time spent using window and level settings.1

“Both image processing software and the detector technology must work together to produce optimal images. DR technology can capture extremely detailed information, as indicated by DQE (detective quantum efficiency) and other measurements, but software plays a vital role in optimizing the display of this information and reducing the need for time-consuming adjustments,” said Jeffrey Bell, Kodak’s product line manager for DR systems.

Advantages of DR 5100 Systems
In addition to optimizing image display, the DR 5100 offers the following advantages:

An integrated operator console helps increase productivity by controlling both the x-ray generator and the detector array. This also decreases space requirements.
An easy-to-use servo-linked X-ray tube and bucky help minimize patient positioning and provide consistent, accurate source-to-detector alignment.
Kodak DirectView PTS software with optional Kodak DirectView EVP software.
Direct detector technology enhances image quality by eliminating conversion of X-ray energy to light and the resulting light spread; and
A new high frequency 80 kW generator.

Kodak’s DR product family also includes the Kodak DirectView 9000 system for general radiography, which includes a U-arm design with a full range of motion that offers the ultimate in flexibility for chest, extremity, abdominal and trauma exams. Users of the Kodak DR 9000 system will be able to upgrade systems with the new touch screen operator console and Kodak DirectView PTS Software.

Kodak DR systems, which utilize direct capture amorphous selenium detector technology, have gained a reputation for exceptional productivity and image quality. Images can be reviewed within 12 seconds of exposure for quality assurance and the image cycle time is only 35 seconds.

Availability and price for the Kodak DirectView DR 5100 system within the UK will be announced at a later date.

(Note: Kodak and DirectView are trade marks of Eastman Kodak Company.)

1 Krupinski, Radvany, Levy, Ballenger, Tucker, Chacko, Van Metter, “Enhanced Visualization Processing: Effect on Workflow,” Academic Radiology, Vol. 8, No. 11, p. 1127-1133, 2001.

For further information, please contact:
Giulia Coope
Health Imaging
01442 844648 (Tel)
01442 844842 (Fax)