Siemens Healthineers
GR]

Ultrasound is one of the most widely used imaging modalities, and the range of clinical applications continues to expand. This space is beaming with improvements in image quality, greater use of AI and increased acceptance of advanced features like fusion imaging, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, and shear wave elastography. Value-based care is moving towards ultrasound due to its wide availability and inherent safety. With a history of innovations including the world’s first computed ultrasound system and wireless transducer, Siemens Healthineers partners with medical professionals to equip them with ultrasound solutions, insights, and guidance to advance medicine and deliver better patient care. “Our best-of-the-breed solutions are aimed at introducing users to the new era in ultrasound,” says Bob Thompson, President of Siemens Healthineers – Ultrasound Business. The company has a broad portfolio of solutions for Radiology, Cardiology and Women’s Health imaging and in 2018 launched new platforms, such as the ACUSON Sequoia, based on BioAcoustic technology focused on the premium Radiology market and the ACUSON Juniper, which gives users the ability to expand their ultrasound clinical and service offerings across a wide variety of patient and case types, from radiology, interventional radiology, and urology to cardiovascular, orthopedic, and obstetrics/gynecological imaging. “Our innovations and new developments enable physicians the ability to provide more precise medicine with quality imaging as well as procedures such as needle guidance.”

Following discussions with 600 physicians and sonographers worldwide, the company found two key challenges that they faced—biological, technological, and user-specific ultrasound variability and the increasing population of patients with high BMI.

According to WHO, 650 million people are found to have a BMI above 30. This led the company to develop ACUSON Sequoia, an ultrasound machine that reduces unwanted variations, notably when serving patients with high BMI.

With its new Deep Abdominal Transducer (DAX), a new high-powered architecture, and innovative updates to elastography and contrast-enhanced ultrasound, the new ACUSON Sequoia produces penetration up to 40cm. These features have helped ACUSON Sequoia expand precision medicine by enabling high-resolution imaging that adapts to patients’ size and personal characteristics, contributing to more confident diagnosis. Additionally, imaging in patients with chronic liver disease progression, especially in patients with high BMI is challenging as the signals are attenuated. The innovative power architecture of the new ACUSON Sequoia provides six times the energy capacity available for shear wave elastography, enabling imaging at greater depths and a reduction in image variability.

Based on their research hosting 170 workshops worldwide, the company found that healthcare professionals wanted to become more ergonomic with simple and efficient workflows. With innovative, user-friendly features such as gesture-detecting transducers activated by touch, automated protocols, and streamlined registration which adapts to user preferences overtime, ACUSON Sequoia meets these requirements of their customers. Additionally, being designed with the philosophy intuitive to operate, able to be set up and ready for use in a matter of minutes, it also enables users to walk up and begin imaging intuitively.

The company partners with their customers throughout healthcare’s transformational journey towards more value, enabling them to achieve better outcomes at lower costs. “At Siemens Healthineers, we do this by Expanding Precision Medicine, Transforming Care Delivery, Improving the Patient Experience across the continuum of care, and Digitalizing Healthcare enabled by digital technologies,” adds Thompson.

By listening to their customers and developing solutions designed by users for users, Siemens Healthineers have been able to receive positive feedback about their innovations. They envision continuing to connect closely with their customers to listen and understand the challenges they face today and in the future. “Ultimately this drives our passion for innovating and advancing healthcare,” concludes Thompson.