Philips Introduces Newly Enhanced Cardiac Ultrasound System

STOCKHOLM,  Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today announced the enhanced iE33 xMATRIX cardiac ultrasound system featuring a new ergonomic solution for more efficient adult echocardiograms, the X5-1 transducer. With this enhanced technology, Philips continues its tradition of simplified, patient-focused healthcare solutions by providing a more complete imaging solution. The system enables expanded cardiac-related diagnostic capabilities related to ischemic disease detection, structural heart disease assessment, as well as systolic and diastolic heart failure and arrhythmia. Aimed at supporting workflow improvements as well as providing clinical benefits, the iE33 xMATRIX cardiac ultrasound system will be a highlighted display at the European Society of Cardiology Congress (ESC) in Stockholm, August 28 through September 1.

"The new iE33 xMATRIX ultrasound system represents a significant breakthrough in ultrasound; technology that gives clinicians new diagnostic tools and helps them examine patients more quickly," said Andrew Hatt, vice president and interim general manager, Ultrasound, for Philips Healthcare. "In addition, clinicians who have experienced scanning fatigue will appreciate that the X5-1 transducer combines the ergonomics of 2D transducers with the three-dimensional technology they need, to make the most informed patient care decisions possible."

Continuing the tradition of expanding advanced capabilities throughout the Philips cardiac ultrasound portfolio, new features of the iE33 xMATRIX ultrasound system include outstanding 2D and 3D image quality utilizing a single transducer, near instantaneous acquisition of 3D volumes, new 3D workflow tools and visualized color Doppler flow pattern during 3D exams. With the X5-1 and iRotate, a clinician can more easily obtain challenging 2D views, such as apical two-chamber. Rather than manually rotating the transducer and searching for a window that isn't obscured by ribs, rotation is achieved electronically to maintain the best acoustical window. When used in stress echo, iRotate allows clinicians to complete an entire stress echo protocol from the standard windows following peak exertion without rotating the X5-1 transducer.

The iE33 xMATRIX ultrasound system also offers a 3D stress echo solution that can be incorporated with conventional 2D stress echo. After acquiring a volume, clinicians can then use the system's advanced iSlice software to obtain short axis views of the heart's apex. This constitutes additional clinical information that is not routinely obtained by ultrasound.

More information can be found at: http://bit.ly/PhilipsatESC2010 .

You can also visit us at ESC 2010 in Exhibition Area Zone C, booth number C50:30 at the Stockholmsmassan in Stockholm.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs more than 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

SOURCE Royal Philips Electronics