Philips Answers the Call for Worldwide Access to Advanced Imaging Systems for Diagnosis and Treatment

CHICAGO, Nov. 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delivering on its Imaging 2.0 commitment to provide global access to leading edge imaging solutions, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today showcased several new additions to its product portfolio, greatly expanding the offering to deliver the right solution at the right price point catering to a diverse, global customer base. At the 97th annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), November 27 - December 2, Philips is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring clinicians have access to high-quality, cost-effective imaging technology.

Increasing clinician demand for this wide range of imaging solutions is driven by the need for easy-to-use, full-featured products designed to handle large volumes of work. In addition, these solutions must meet the specific needs of clinicians in growth geographies as well as in mature markets where demand for these products is particularly high in rural areas. Globally, more than two billion people struggle to get access to the most basic forms of imaging, according to data provided by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"Ultrasound is unavailable or inaccessible in many of the world's most impoverished regions," said Dr. Kristen DeStigter, president and co-founder of Imaging the World, a non-profit organization that joined forces with Philips in early 2011 to help improve the quality of people's lives and health care in African countries such as Uganda, through meaningful health care solutions, education and research. "With the Philips alliance, we are able to offer a revolutionary approach to diagnostic care. By integrating ultrasound technology with education and a network of dedicated professionals, we are bringing medical expertise and quality health care to those who need it most."

Specifically, there is a high demand for products in countries such as China and India, as both countries have health care policies in place targeted at expanding and upgrading health care infrastructure to stem the shortage of basic health care services in many regions. Improving access to health care is also on the agenda in many other parts of the world, including regions such as East Africa.

"No matter where they are in the world, clinicians share the same challenge: more patients to see, with less money available per patient," said Gene Saragnese, executive vice president and CEO, Imaging Systems, for Philips Healthcare. "It is our job to understand their needs, and provide meaningful solutions that significantly expand access to care. Our bolstered global footprint is helping us reach more and more people with the imaging they need, and deserve."

Philips showcases its latest value solutions based on relevant and local clinical and business needs

TruFlight Select PET/CT: Philips TruFlight Select positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is the first economical PET/CT system to incorporate the premium time-of-flight (TOF) technology, Astonish TF, helping to provide virtually all clinicians access to the advantages of premium TOF technology. TOF technology is designed to enhance image quality by reducing image artifacts and providing higher sensitivity. The resulting images help clinicians better detect and locate lesions to increase diagnostic confidence and preserve healthy tissue during treatment. According to a recent study(i), TOF scans can help to improve lung and liver lesion delectability. In the study, the improvement was more pronounced in heavy patients. This product is expected to become globally available in the fourth quarter.

MX16EVO slice CT system: The Philips MX16EVO CT system delivers 16-slice technology and a wide detector, resulting in fast, high-resolution scanning, with shorter breath-hold time and high patient throughput, while maintaining high-quality imaging. In addition, metal artifact reduction technology enhances visualization of critical structures by reducing the interference of metal artifacts. The cost-effective MX16EVO slice CT system allows institutions to excel at routine CT scans, as well as expand into neurological and CT angiography (CTA) imaging with excellent image quality.

Veradius Mobile C-arm with flat detector: This next-generation technology of the Philips Veradius Mobile C-arm with flat detector balances consistent image quality and clarity with a design that allows for sufficient space and convenience in challenging cardiac, vascular and orthopedic surgeries. The device is equipped with a large field of view that is not affected by geometrical or magnetic distortions. The Veradius Mobile C-arm with flat detector supports a wide range of applications and delivers higher quality imaging at a great value.

ClearVue 550: The Philips ClearVue 550 (pending 510(k) clearance; not for sale in the U.S.) is designed to be a user-friendly, lightweight and energy-efficient ultrasound system that produces high-quality imaging at an affordable price. The product uses proprietary Active Array technology, which results in enhanced image quality in both 2D and color images, lighter weight cabling, increased system reliability, and easier serviceability. The versatile platform aims to meet a broad range of clinical application needs, including abdominal, OB/Gyn, small parts, vascular, musculoskeletal, cardiac, pediatrics, urology, and Transcranial Doppler (TCD). 

Existing solutions on display at RSNA round out comprehensive portfolio of value imaging solutions

Intera 1.51T: Philips Intera 1.5T is a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system which provides a balance between investment value, patient comfort, and support for a wide range of clinical applications. The system simplifies imaging exams using SmartExam technology. SmartExam is an intelligent scanning system that reduces scanning time and increases operator efficiency. In addition, Intera 1.5T comes with SENSE parallel imaging technology, making scanning faster and increasing image resolution.

Achieva 1.5T SE: The Achieva 1.5T SE is an extremely low-risk solution for sites that want to introduce MRI services for the first time or add capacity to current MRI capabilities. The Achieva 1.5T SE with PowerSave can help reduce energy costs up to 50 percent, enabling clinicians to conduct the most common studies with a level of quality and consistency not typically found at this cost level. The scalable Achieva platform also enables upgrades as clinician's needs evolve.

MDC PACS: The Philips MDC picture archiving and communication system (PACS) helps to streamline a hospital's workflow and information structure, and offers a rich set of clinical tools while allowing web-based viewing of images across multiple hospital and off-site locations. By streamlining access to radiological data, the MDC PACS improves diagnostic confidence and patient care.

Visit Philips at RSNA 2011 in the North Hall at booth number 7721 of the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago, November 27 - December 2. For more information, additional materials and images, please visit the Philips RSNA News Center at http://www.philips.com/RSNA.

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 over 120,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 22.3 billion in 2010, 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 male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.

(i) El Fakhri, et al. Improvement in Lesion Detection with Whole-Body Oncologic Time-of-Flight PET. J Nucl Med. 2011; 52:347-353.

SOURCE Philips