Real-time 3D Ultrasound in Just a Heartbeat

Siemens has developed the first ultrasound system in the world that can generate three-dimensional images of the heart in real time during one single beat. Such technology can set a new standard in echocardiographic imaging that will improve patient care. Doctors can analyze results and begin treatment more quickly with the new system. The first systems have been delivered recently.

The 3D ultrasound unit is equipped with new transducer technology that features cooling of the transducer, an unprecedented development that allows it to operate at a higher performance level and to process information much more rapidly. The electronic engineering was co-developed by researchers from Corporate Technology. This, in turn, makes it possible for the first time to record a complete image within a heartbeat. The new transducer is also smaller and lighter than conventional units.

The system is equipped with coherent-volume-formation technology patented by Siemens, which can generate images from several simultaneous ultrasound beams rather than working with the previous series-image generation technique that forms images line by line. This coherent-volume-formation process results in outstanding image resolution and a pyramid-like ultrasound image.

The Acuson SC2000 is designed for sophisticated cardiovascular examinations of the heart and blood vessels. Its intelligent software allows knowledge-based processes using complex pattern recognition technologies and an expert database containing actual clinical cases. This means the system can recognize anatomical patterns and “landmarks” and then automatically take measurements that can be compared with the database. It also automatically derives layered reference images from the complete image volume and calculates a contour for rapid qualitative and quantitative assessments. Researchers from Siemens Corporate Research in Princeton, USA, and Slovakian experts from Siemens IT Solutions and Services contributed to the software for digital image processing.

A physician is thus immediately able to conduct a comparative analysis that produces a more precise result, and the cardiologist can then use his or her own workstation to write up the diagnosis and further process the data obtained.