Varian Introduces World's First Digital X-ray Fluoroscopic Imager; VIP-9 Designed for Industrial and Scientific Applications, as well as for Medical Developmental Use.PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1998--Varian Imaging Products today introduced the VIP-9-QR/1, the world's first real-time, digital X-ray fluoroscopic Fluoroscopic (fluoroscopy) An x-ray procedure that produces immediate images and motion on a screen. The images look like those seen at airport baggage security stations. Mentioned in: Hypotonic Duodenography imager for industrial and scientific applications, as well as for medical developmental use. "While many companies are talking about digital imaging, Varian is indeed delivering on the promise of digital sensor-panel imaging for fluoroscopy fluoroscopy /flu·o·ros·co·py/ (fldbobr-ros´kah-pe) examination by means of the fluoroscope. fluo·ros·co·py n. Examination by means of a fluoroscope. Also called radioscopy. ," says David Gilblom, general manager of Varian Imaging Products. "Commercial availability of the VIP-9 imager, coupled with the on-going product development efforts with our 10 initial OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) The rebranding of equipment and selling it. The term initially referred to the company that made the products (the "original" manufacturer), but eventually became widely used to refer to the organization that buys the products and development partners, clearly demonstrates Varian's leadership in the digital X-ray field." Varian's proprietary Large Area Sensing Technology (LAST(tm)) imagers use amorphous silicon fabricated into a receptor large enough to use in general X-ray imaging. The receptor can replace traditional X-ray film, eliminating the associated costs of processing, storage, recycling, and retrieval. In solid-state fluoroscopy, the 15-pound receptors replace the large 100-pound image intensifier in·ten·si·fi·er n. Grammar See intensive. intensifier Noun a word, esp. an adjective or adverb, that intensifies the meaning of the word or phrase that it modifies, for example, very and the TV camera connected to it, enabling manufacturers to produce systems up to 90 percent smaller and 85 percent lighter than the current offerings. Product Components The first member of Varian's LAST imager family, the VIP-9 includes a receptor module and a command processor module. The receptor module, incorporating a large-area amorphous silicon sensor array, accepts incoming X-ray images and converts them to a serial digital video signal. The VIP-9 command processor module controls the receptor, processes the digital video to correct for non-uniformities and blemishes, and provides interfaces to other components of an X-ray system. The VIP-9 imager set also includes a power supply module and interconnecting cables. Two modes of operation are supported -- real-time fluoroscopy and digital radiography digital radiography Imaging A format for producing x-rays in which film used to produce conventional x-ray images is replaced with more sensitive sensitive electronics; DXRs produce images with1⁄2 . Other modes are available in OEM versions. Industrial and Scientific Applications The VIP-9 imager supports a range of industrial and scientific applications. In fluoroscopic mode, the imager is well suited for machine vision tasks, including on-line inspection and vision-guided assembly, according to Gilblom. In radiographic radiographic (rā´dēōgraf´ik), adj relating to the process of radiography, the finished product, or its use. mode, the VIP-9 can replace traditional X-ray film in welding and bonding inspection systems. He noted that digital image capture is particularly beneficial for those applications where film must be stored for documentation purposes, which in some cases can be up to 20 years. Industry experts estimate that more than $2 billion is spent each year in the U.S. on X-ray film and film processing for industrial inspection. These figures are exclusive of film storage costs. Applications for the VIP-9 are also seen in scientific instrumentation, such as in X-ray crystallography. Medical Uses Gilblom noted that LAST imagers have not been cleared by the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. for marketing as medical devices and may not be applied to diagnostic imaging except for investigational use. Varian Imaging Products can provide details of the regulatory requirements for medical use of this equipment. Pricing and Availability Shipments of the VIP-9 imagers will begin in June 1998. The list price is $98,000. For additional information, literature contact: VARIAN IMAGING PRODUCTS 3075 Hansen Way, M/S M/S Meter(s) per Second M/S Milestone M/S Modeling and Simulation M/S Master/Slave M/S Messieurs (plural of Mister) M/S Minesweeping M/S miles per second M/S Miniature Sheet K-500 Palo Alto, CA 94303 888/847-5278 (Toll-free) FAX 415/855-7336 EMAIL See e-mail. : vipinfo@vip.varian.com WWW WWW or W3: see World Wide Web. (World Wide Web) The common host name for a Web server. The "www-dot" prefix on Web addresses is widely used to provide a recognizable way of identifying a Web site. : www.varian.com/hcs/ip/ -0- Varian Associates, Inc., based in Palo Alto, Calif., is a $1.4 billion, diversified, high-technology company with core businesses in health care systems, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and analytical instruments. Varian has manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and has sales and service offices worldwide. Press announcements and other information about Varian are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web at URL URL in full Uniform Resource Locator Address of a resource on the Internet. The resource can be any type of file stored on a server, such as a Web page, a text file, a graphics file, or an application program. http://www.varian.com. CONTACT: Varian Associates Inc. Laurie Alire, 650/424-5781 laurie.alire@grc.varian.com |
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