According to company officials, Philips spent time alongside clinicians to investigate their changing needs in ultrasound. Feedback revealed that clinicians cannot count on the performance of their existing compact systems for portable studies at the patient bedside or in the ICU as the image quality is not always sufficient, especially on technically-challenging patients.
"The first step was to get a better understanding of the needs of clinicians," said Anne LeGrand, CEO of Philips Ultrasound. "Through our insight process we learned that they wanted premium performance from their compact system. As a result, we have created the CX50, a new category of compact product, to address this need."
"The quality of results we get when carrying out a scan with the CX50 are close to what we'd expect from the best cart-based systems," said Dr. Etienne Danse from the Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels. "We've been using the system in daily practice, particularly in the Critical Care Unit, where we regularly need high performance sonograms for color Doppler evaluation of the liver and the kidneys. Due to the smaller size of the device it is more convenient to use in this challenging environment, but still provides the provides diagnostic information that enables us to make the right decision for the patient."
"We are very impressed by the high 2D image quality on the CX50, and we have been particularly surprised how easy it is to obtain the high image quality even in direct comparison with the best high-end full-size systems," said Dr Frank Steensgaard-Hansen, consultant cardiologist, at Kobenhavns Praktiserende Laegers Laboratorium in Copenhagen, Denmark. "This, as well as the small physical format and great flexibility of CX50, are major benefits that might be helpful making a quicker, more confident diagnosis in critically ill patients. In contrast to previous portable echocardiography systems, CX50 consistently enables complete and definitive echocardiography studies on non-acute patients at their bedside without the need for a follow-up scan, helping us to improve workflow and possibly productivity."
The CX50 CompactXtreme incorporates features migrated from the Philips iE33 and iU22 cart-based systems. PureWave transducers have been clinically proven to aid in image quality across the patient population, especially on technically-difficult patients.
The system also features SonoCT real-time compounding technology and XRES adaptive image processing for images that are free from artifacts and noise, displaying well-defined anatomy and pathology. The CX50 supports SmartExam system-guided protocols, an integrated guidance tool that streamlines and speeds exams for clinicians and patients.
The system is available in many countries in Europe and Asia including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and India, with release scheduled for North America in the third quarter of this year. The original version of the CX50, designed for adult cardiology, is now available in many countries.
Royal Philips Electronics is a diversified health and well-being company.
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