Cwm Taf University Health Board recently purchased four of Canon’s latest Aplio i-800 ultrasound systems, allocating two scanners for Prince Charles Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil and two for Ysbyty Cwm Rhondda Hospital. Users at both sites are now able to enjoy state-of-the-art technologies such as such Superb Micro-vascular Imaging (SMI), and ultra wide-band i-series transducers.

Royston Hibberd, Superintendent Sonographer comments, “We decided to purchase the Canon i800 after evaluating a number of manufacturers’ systems. The i800 was our first choice due to its image quality, the ergonomics of the system and Canon’s reputation for its after-sales support. The scanner out-performed all the other systems in our evaluation. A feature that particularly impressed us was the ‘Superb Micro-vascular Imaging’, which produces incredible images of the vascularity of the area under investigation. This feature is especially useful for MSK applications. The images produced of the ‘larger’ patients are also impressive. We found the Canon team very friendly and support during our installation.”    

SMI offers colour flow imaging with unmatched detail and definition. It expands the range of visible blood flow to visualise low-velocity micro-vascular flow as never seen before with diagnosis ultrasound.     

Aplio i-series ultra-wideband transducers cover the same bandwidth as two conventional transducers, providing superior sensitivity and resolution for both the near and far field. As well as helping to reduce cost, this revolutionary transducer design can also provide better imaging regardless of the patient condition   

The new series features new beam-forming technology, iBeam, which optimises the efficiency of the beam, increasing penetration, spatial resolution and contrast resolution, while at the same time, reducing artefacts and clutter. It also comes with intelligent Dynamic Micro-Slice (iDS), which increases clinical accuracy and reveals more detail in all depths by electronically sharpening the imaging slice thickness.

Intuitive ergonomics boost productivity during daily routine and complex exams with iSense, which offers an image-guided user interface to visually guide the physician through the exam, simplifying system operation and helping improve efficiency. In addition, to make the ultrasound exams faster, the system features touch control screens and real-time quick scan, which makes automatic image adjustments without pushing a button.

 

Photo: 

Shown here (left to right)  – Royston Hibberd, Superintendent Sonographer; Gayle Godfrey, Support Worker; Erica Oliver, Clinical Specialist, Ultrasound, Canon Medical Systems, Jackie Charles, Support Worker (seated), and Annie Crocker, Sonographer

Forest Veterinary Centre, an independent veterinary practice in Epping, Essex, specialising in small animal work, recently invested in a Canon Aquilion Lightning 16-slice CT scanner.    The practice extended its premises with a custom built facility to accommodate the new system. Forest Vets also has a low field MRI solution on site.

Clive Swainsbury, Practice Partner says, “We were considering a second-life CT solution, but after seeing the advantages of Canon’s SEMAR software, we wanted a new CT system and Canon’s Aquilion Lightning was the obvious choice. We looked at acquiring a CT scanner about five years ago, but at that time we had a power supply problem. Canon was very helpful then, although at the time we didn’t purchase a system. We recently revisited our decision and during the acquisition of the new scanner, we again found Canon very supportive in all respects.”     

Continuing, Clive Swainbury explains, “We are achieving superb image quality, and we are finding as a result of having an in-house scanner our referrals have increased. It has been a very steep learning curve for our staff, but Canon’s applications support has been excellent, with the installation of the scanner going like clockwork. In addition, the SEMAR software is proving its worth.”

Canon Medical Systems’ Aquilion Lightning 16-row helical CT scanner comes with the world’s smallest detector element size of 0.5 mm, and is designed for all routine isotropic imaging. The environmentally friendly system incorporates fourth generation fast iterative reconstruction (AIDR 3D Enhanced) and Canon’s new PUREVISION detector to minimise the patient exposure dose for all examinations.

SEMAR utilises a sophisticated iterative reconstruction technique to virtually eliminate metal artefacts, improving visualisation of implants, supporting bone and adjacent soft tissue.

In addition, the Aquilion Lightning has the smallest footprint in its segment while having the largest gantry aperture. With a footprint of only 9.8 m2, the Aquilion Lightning can be installed in the smallest room and still offer a pleasant working environment.

 

Photo: 

Shown here, left to right, Colin Pellow, Account Manager, Canon Medical Systems; Sophie Dennis, Veterinary Nurse; Glenn Bengtson, Practice Partner; Natalie Bennie, Veterinary Nurse and Clive Swainsbury, Practice Partner

Canon Medical Systems has a carbon-zero project in place.  We have calculated the carbon footprint for each of our products to include manufacturing, shipping, delivery and average hospital energy used for the standard lifetime of the equipment, as follows:

CT equates to 12 stoves and 48,365 litres of water

 

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust recently in vested in Canon ultrasound, purchasing a total of five Aplio 500 systems, one for Todmorden Health Centre, to be used for a variety of exams and one for Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for the antenatal clinic.  Calderdale Hospital took delivery of three systems, two for the antenatal clinic and the third scanner for the Gynaecology Assessment Clinic. Chosen for its high image quality, excellent uptime and Canon’s unique low flow colour technology (SMI), the new systems also come with Canon’s highly valued lifetime applications support.

Shown here, (photo: Calderdale20), back row, left to right, Louise Higgins, Applications Specialist Canon Medical Systems; Advanced Practitioner Sonographers: Tina Halstead, Lisa Bury, Ann Hampshire and John Sunderland. Kate Grayson, Team Lead in Ultrasound;  Alina Robertshaw, Advanced Practitioner Sonographer; Jo Bertelsen, Account Manager, Canon Medical Systems and Nicola Longthorne, Advanced Practitioner Sonographer.

Seated in front: Lexi Hall-Lembo, Advanced Practitioner Sonographer; Samantha Ambler, Student Sonographer and Chris Bostock, Advanced Practitioner Sonographer

The Aplio 500 offers advanced performance that can be relied on day-after-day. Cost-effective, productive and versatile, it provides superior imaging with outstanding depth and detail. It comes with extra functionalities and increased image quality that will allow the users to scan patients in a faster time frame and is also equipped with a wide range of probes for use in scanning women in gynaecology and obstetrics, as well as 3D transvaginal capabilities.

Canon’s SMI (Superior Micro-vascular Imaging), which complements colour Doppler techniques in visualising small micro-vasculature. In addition, the Aplio 500 is also equipped with 3D packages.   Both of these exciting technologies, along with the quick and easy-to-use functions of the system,   improve the patient experience due to decreased scanning times and improved image quality.

Canon Medical Systems has a carbon-zero project in place.  We have calculated the carbon footprint for each of our products to including manufacturing, shipping and delivery and average hospital energy used for the standard lifetime of the equipment as follows:

Ultrasound equates to 1 stove and 3,415 litres of water

 

Canon Medical Systems recently undertook a hands-on practical training session on groin scanning at Fairfield Hospital, part of the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. The day, which was in line with Canon’s reputation for excellent after sales support and ongoing commitment to training, consisted of presentations and lectures followed by a hands-on session, with Sara Riley, Consultant Sonographer from Leeds Teaching Hospital being invited as guest speaker.

Angela Booth, Clinical Lead General Ultrasound commented “We covered anatomy, scanning technique and normal and pathological ultrasound appearances. After the theory there was a practical demonstration and after lunch we had a hands-on practical scanning session and we all managed to do several groins under Sara’s guidance.”

Angela concludes, “It was a really interesting day and very informative, and having Sara there to scan with us just brought all the knowledge together. We all thoroughly enjoyed it, with many thanks to both Canon and Sara.”

 

 PHOTO:

Shown from left to right , standing – Paula Connor, Applications Specialist, Canon Medical Systems; Angela Booth, Clinical Lead General Ultrasound; Sara Riley, Consultant Sonographer, Leeds Teaching Hospital; Fiona Challinor,  Joanne Caballero and Safiyyah Sabat, Ultrasonographers

Seated, left to right – Esther Philips, Ultrasonographer; Marcia Wild, Ultrasound Service Manager and Angela Hargreaves, Ultrasonographer

 

Canon Medical Systems has a carbon-zero project in place. We have calculated the carbon footprint for each of our products to include manufacturing, shipping, delivery and average hospital energy use for the standard lifetime of the equipment as follows:

Ultrasound equates to 1 stove and 3,415 litres of water