Canon’s Digital Story Is Weaved through Modalities and Across Platforms for Maximum Impact

Building on a commitment to agility and adaptability, Canon Medical Systems USA brings multi-modality solutions that provide enhanced accessibility and cross-platform availability. Patient- and operator-focused innovations are taking center stage at RSNA. For Dhruv Mehta, managing director of the CT business unit, RSNA ‘23 is “as good as it gets.” “It’s one of the biggest RSNAs that we've had…with two new CTs that are being launched concurrently and globally,” Mehta says. 

The new ultra-premium CT, Aquilion ONE / INSIGHT Edition, and the new ultra-performance CT, Aquilion Serve SP—both pending 510(k) clearance—are showcased at booth #6713 North Hall. The performance and premium scanners seamlessly integrate AI to redefine image quality for more confident diagnoses and to drive operational efficiencies.

The Aquilion ONE has a fully redesigned gantry, boasting more dose efficient detectors through a powerful generator and an ultra-fast rotation time or gantry speed. “We are able to do studies with ultra-fast acquisitions such as a head to toe in under five seconds or a cardiac study in a quarter of a second with a 0.24 second rotation on this scanner,” explains Mehta. So [this is] an ultra-fast system that really is beneficial in managing challenging patients.”

“Through the use of [AI], we've been able to find a way to bring super resolution imaging back to a conventional CT scanner,” Mehta adds, noting that it’s been trained with photon counting CT-like images, enabling more confident assessments with challenging clinical conditions such as significant coronary calcification or really small lesions.

The new workflow platform also enables automation of the vast majority of steps. “Our early installations are showing that about 40% of their steps are now reduced through the use of the Instincts Workflow Platform,” Mehta says.

In MRI, Canon is introducing Precise IQ Engine (PIQE*), their new deep learning reconstruction technology, focusing on workflow enhancements and image quality via AI innovation that delivers confidence. PIQE is currently on Canon’s 3T MRI system and FDA cleared for brain and knee imaging.

“PIQE upscales the resolution. So it’s helping technologists scan faster by acquiring something at a lower resolution, and getting patients done faster with less motion is really important to them,” says Tim Joseph, strategic development leader for MR. “Then, [users are able to] upscale it and make beautiful clear, crisp images so the radiologist has a better opportunity to see smaller abnormalities or smaller defects,” enabling a better patient experience overall.

The technology also features Auto Scan Assist, an automated alignment tool that prioritizes speed and consistency in alignment and angulation. Advanced intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE) and iterative motion correction work in tandem to make images better and cleaner. Joseph also explains how the Ceiling Camera, Tablet UX remote software, and Sure Remote Assist work to enhance productivity.

These MR features allow Canon customers to “scan better, scan faster,” Joseph summates. In ultrasound, Canon is announcing new collaboration enhancements and highlighting ergonomic designs and innovative solutions. The focus is on increased diagnostic confidence and more efficient operator workflow amid staffing shortages.

“The [BLS] says sonography is growing three times as fast as every other job in America, a 14% job growth rate. And unfortunately three times as many sonographers are retiring, so it's a serious crisis,” says Dan Skyba, ultrasound senior managing director, who says Canon has zeroed in on making scanning easier and better for sonographers.

The Aplio i-Series platform has been updated with a Prism edition release including the iBeam plus Beam former which has four times the processing speed. “We brought in a feature that’s really focus-free. You have the ability to adjust the focal zones like you did in the old days, but you don't have to. This now creates a homogeneity to the image that's really nice with a single button push—so a great workflow saver,” Skyba says.

The entire suite of high frequency transducers, including 33 megahertz, enables about 50 microns of spatial resolution in addition to numerous features supporting improved ergonomics, cybersecurity, and workflow. The a-series—both 450 and 550—is also showcased at RSNA for everyday scanning in various environments also with outstanding performance and image quality.

In addition, Smart Body Mark enables a fully automated display of the transducer position using GPS technology, another opportunity for workflow gains, frequently being used in breast and abdominal imaging.

The ApliCam technology, which synchronizes “picture-in-a-picture” video of the transducer position being scanned on the patient, used in combination with ApliGate, a screen-sharing technology, is helping customers facilitate remote reading.

Canon is also sharing software evolution in liver analysis, vascular imaging, and maternal-fetal medicine. The RSNA booth will also reveal new releases and developments in radiography (Canon is celebrating its 25th anniversary in digital X-ray), molecular imaging with Cartesian Primes in PET/CT, and interventional/vascular imaging.

Linking all Canon’s modalities and care pathways are AI-powered platforms, which the company integrates for a robust, scalable, comprehensive enterprise imaging strategy based on advanced visualization and efficient workflows. “We feel it's an extremely important foundation as organizations bring AI as a standard of care into their organizations,” Mark Samii, vice president for enterprise sales at Canon, tells Applied Radiology.

Among other areas, the company is focusing on mobile platforms, analytics tools, cybersecurity, triage solutions, and protocol management as its “digital story” weaves through the entire suite of imaging solutions.

Canon is demonstrating leadership through Innovation Theater and booth presentations, and a Lunch and Learn on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at 12 pm in room S501 on “Advancement in High Resolution Imaging.” The company is supporting the RSNA R&E Foundation and is a distinguished RCNA Vanguard Program donor.