Image quality is the key for confidence in diagnostic ultrasound imaging. Combined with Aloka's latest innovative technologies your horizons in ultrasound imaging can be expanded and advanced applications can be realized. These challenging new frontiers with advanced technologies include:
CARDIOLOGY
Contrast Harmonic Echo (CHE)
Current compatible platforms include: ProSound Series SSD-5500 Extended PHD, Pure Harmonic Detection, Extended Pure Harmonic Detection, Contrast Harmonic Echo package (optional software). Display modes include: B-Mode real time low MI imaging, Monitor Mode, Power Flow Harmonic Mode, Manual Flash Control, Intermittent Triggering Mode. Clinical applications include:
- Enhancement of capability to identify endocardium (improved border delineation)
- Judgement of myocardial ischemia (visualization of myocardial perfusion)
- Enhancement of echo sensitivity of coronary artery flow
- Echo enhancement of micro regurgitant flow in the artery flow
Tissue Harmonic Echo
Tissue Harmonic Echo is a technique to pick up only the second harmonic (twice higher ultrasound frequency) for imaging. If the transmission frequency (fundamental frequency) of the probe is f0, the returned echo includes many harmonics (2fo or so) which are generated in the tissue. The system picks up only the second harmonic as others are negligible.
A-SMA (Automatic Segmental Motion Analysis)
Recently kinetic imaging, based on acoustic quantification, has been clinically introduced as a new method for objective assessment of LV myocardial wall motion analysis, but current systems cannot allow on-line analysis. Therefore Aloka introduced A-SMA. The A-SMA is a unique real-time on-line quantitative analysis of the cardiac wall motion. The contour and the centre of the gravity point of the left ventricle cavity are automatically detected and the FAC (fractional area change) of each segment is displayed as histogram or graph. This is an example of histogram display of A-SMA additional to Kinetic Imaging display. The graph on the right side continuously displays the ratio of fractional area change (FAC) of all 6 segments and of the total area change of the ventricle in real-time.
Tissue Doppler Measurement (TDI)
Aloka's Tissue Doppler measurement is not only qualitative, but also quantitative. TDI measurement features on Aloka's cardiac package contains following 4 measurement packages. MF Profile is mainly used for observing the velocity difference between the endocardium and epicardium at the same time phase. Color data of M Flow in the depth direction at an arbitrary time is analyzed to display velocity profile and calculate out mean velocity. The measurement is possible in 2 channels at the same time.
- MF Profile
- MF Trace
- M. TDI Wall thickness
Backscattered Energy Temporal Analysis
With the combination of the power TDI imaging and the optional measuring function of the DMS, characterization of the cardiac muscle is possible. The BETA is a function that has been developed to enable diagnosing the tissue characteristic of cardiac muscles by analyzing the change of the IB index over time. The IB method has succeeded in holding a certain level of quantitativeness by setting a reference. However, the method is too complex to be applied for routine clinical diagnosis. An important property was identified, however, during practical applications of the IB method: cardiac cyclic variation of the IB index. The level of the echo returns from cardiac muscles is synchronous with contraction and dilation of the heart. The echo level reaches the maximum at the end of the diastole and the minimum at the end of the systole.
R-FAM (Real Time Free Angular M-Mode)
Free angular M mode - M-mode cursor can be set at any position with any angle on the B-mode Cine Memory images. Long years after the innovation of M Mode, ALOKA's Real-time Free Angular M Mode offers a new tool for Cardiologists. By employing very high speed digital processing, system enables you to reach high temporal resolution, over 400 frame per second (B mode). By using enormous amount of raw data, system calculates and displays Free Angular M mode in real-time:
- Maximum 3 cursors can be placed.
- Possible to work for both real time and after freezing the image.
Cardiac Quantification
By using the CQ function, each of cardiac ejection fraction and volume is calculated in real-time, based on automatic edge detection technology. There are 2 display modes, one is volume and the other is EF. ALOKA enable display of EDV (end diastolic volume), ESV (end systolic volume) in the Volume Mode (dV/dt and nVol/dt are also displayed).
ALOKA can offer tools to measure EF or Volume at a certain time phase on frozen image, which is also available with A-SMA. The measurement procedure is really simple, and it's possible to measure two different points on the screen.
Coronary imaging
The ProSound Ultrasound Systems are sensitive enough to detect coronary flow by using Color Doppler or Power Doppler
High frequency imaging
Aloka's premium high definition imaging with frequency transducer opens new view for superficial structures. The benefit of this high quality superficial imaging with newly developed 7.5MHz phased array probe can be a new tool for neonatal cardiac examination as well as trans cranial study for Cardiovascular specialists.
GASTRO- ENTEROLOGY
Video Endoscopic Ultrasound
Unique High Quality Video Endoscopic Ultrasound Transducers are developed by Aloka and Olympus for Gastro Intestinal Imaging and Fine Needle Aspiration techniques. Its indications include:
- Evaluating abnormalties of the gastrointestinal tract wall or adjacent structures
- Staging tumours of the mediastinum, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, kidney and bile ducts.
- Tissue sampling of lesions within, or adjacent to, the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Evaluation of abnormalities of the pancreas, including masses, pseudo cysts and chronic pancreatitis.
- Evaluation of abnormalities of the biliary tree.
- Providing endoscopic therapy under ultrasonography.
- FNA for histological diagnosis and therapy management.
- Therapeutic intervention
