VIENNA, March 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- At the European Congress of Radiology (ECR) 2011, Royal Philips Electronics is ushering in a new era in radiology science with Imaging 2.0, a concept fueled by integration of technology, clinician and patient. Showcasing its commitment to pioneering innovative, cost-effective solutions, Philips is highlighting technologies that focus specifically on the patient, in addition to advanced networking tools that facilitate greater collaboration between radiologists and referring physicians. The result is more efficient workflow and greater patient focus.

The Imaging 2.0 concept is poised to address a dilemma that exists in healthcare today: more consumers are demanding quality healthcare, yet there is less money to treat them. Based on feedback from clinicians, Philips' approach to this dilemma is to enable enhanced and smarter collaboration through advanced technology with the hope of better patient outcomes and lower costs for the healthcare system.

"Just as Web 2.0 redefined the way people connect, share and use the Internet, Imaging 2.0 represents a new world of possibilities for radiology science. It is about integration and collaboration, and new levels of patient focus and safety that can help clinicians achieve what was unimaginable just a few short years ago," said Michele Lesieur, Senior Vice-President of Philips Imaging Systems. "With Philips, the radiologist can now integrate information from various sources to make a confident diagnosis and discuss it with all the clinical partners on the case - putting the radiologist at the center of clinical decision-making. This kind of collaboration and integration combined with major advancements in patient safety and comfort, all packaged to provide an excellent economic advantage for the radiologist, has triggered the next revolution in imaging: Imaging 2.0."

New product introductions showcase pioneering, innovative and cost- effective solutions for radiology

- Ingenuity TF PET/MR*: Philips recently received CE marking for the industry's first commercially available whole body PET/MR imaging system, the Ingenuity TF PET/MR*. This new system, launched as the first new Philips modality in ten years, integrates the molecular imaging capabilities of PET (positron emission tomography) with the superior soft tissue contrast of MR (magnetic resonance) to image disease cells as they proliferate in soft tissue. Since the Ingenuity TF PET and MR scanners are placed only three meters apart and the patient table rotates to allow the patient to be scanned by each modality, the system can also acquire separate PET and MR images. Clinicians anticipate using the Ingenuity TF PET/MR to screen patients at high-risk for heart disease to ultimately treat diseased cells prior to the formation of dangerous coronary plaques. The system may also be used to scan patients to detect tumor formation/recurrence. - Ingenuity CT: a new CT (computed tomography) platform that puts the patient first by offering up to 80 percent less dose while maintaining diagnostic image quality and improving spatial resolution. The Ingenuity CT system is designed to provide equivalent diagnostic image quality with the same look as full-dose images at a fraction of the dose, while its technological capabilities allow for detailed visualization of bones to assist with more accurate diagnosis. - Ingenuity TF PET/CT: a premium hybrid imaging system combining PET (positron emission tomography) and CT to conduct studies in oncology imaging, cardiac perfusion and diagnostic CT. The Ingenuity TF PET/CT system is an example of smart integration that includes all of the benefits of the Ingenuity CT platform, including dose-reduction technologies. - Philips Ingenia*: the first-ever digital broadband magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) solution. Driven by Philips' commitment to developing innovative patient care solutions, Ingenia MR delivers exceptional image clarity, scanning efficiency and scalability. In order to visualize detailed structures within the human body, MRI orchestrates the application of radio frequency (RF), audio frequency and static magnetic fields, the strength of which is measured in Tesla (T) units. - IntelliSpace Portal: a new multimodality, multivendor workstation that, for the first time, uses advanced networking capabilities to facilitate collaboration between radiologists and referring clinicians anytime, anywhere no matter the modality or vendor, ultimately helping to speed clinical diagnosis. - iU22 xMATRIX Ultrasound: a new ultrasound system that allows clinicians to create two full-resolution images simultaneously, capturing twice as much clinical information in the same amount of time without moving, turning or rotating the transducer. Clinical trials have shown that the solution speeds workflow thus enhancing economic value, in addition to improving perception of anatomy, helping clinicians to make more informed clinical care decisions. - MobileDiagnost wDR: previewed at RSNA in 2010, attracting a great deal of attention from within the industry and the media alike, this innovative system will be shown as a 'work in progress'. MobileDiagnost wDR is being designed to offer the superb quality and efficiency of a Philips' premium digital radiography suite packed into a flexible mobile X-ray system. It is being developed with the same wireless portable detector, user interface and image processing that are already successfully in use with Philips DigitalDiagnost at hundreds of customer sites worldwide. By bringing those components and features together into a mobile system, Philips MobileDiagnost wDR is being designed for the demanding requirements of diverse applications. - Philips Media Distribution Center (MDC) Enterprise PACS R2.3: Philips is showcasing a new Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) at ECR 2011 in Vienna, Austria, specifically designed to meet the needs of markets and segments that require a scalable value proposition. The Philips Media Distribution Center (MDC) Enterprise PACS R2.3 facilitates the dissemination of diagnostic imaging beyond the radiology department, enabling web-based access both throughout the hospital and remotely. The system delivers an easy-to-use, simple-to- install image management system, which is both more flexible and less costly to purchase and run than conventional PACS. The MDC PACS solution will be initially available in selected European and Latin American markets and the Far East, with a view of expanding to other markets in the coming years. - Sonalleve MR-HIFU*: Philips announced today the availability of new therapy applications for its Sonalleve MR-HIFU therapy platform, specifically for the palliative pain treatment of bone metastases. (Note: Sonalleve MR-HIFU is not available in North America). Philips also announced today the installation of the first investigational MR-HIFU system specifically designed to treat lesions in the female breast, at the University Medical Center in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The Sonalleve MR-HIFU therapy platform was initially launched at last year's European Congress of Radiology (ECR) to offer a non-invasive alternative to traditional surgical treatments for uterine fibroids in women, by combining magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapy. This treatment technique means that discomfort for the patient is kept to a minimum.

Philips' innovation recognised by major awards

- Philips is showcasing the IntelliSpace Portal, based on the Extended "Top 20 Brilliance Workspace which was ranked #1 by KLAS in its 2008 and 2010 Best in KLAS Awards: Software & Professional Services" for Advanced Visualization. KLAS, an independent research firm specializing in monitoring and reporting performance of healthcare information technology vendors, announced that the Philips Brilliance Workspace was the category leader in Advanced Visualization. The IntelliSpace Portal provides a multi-function workstation and networking capabilities that referring clinicians to exchange data across differing work systems, allows radiologists and improving communication and speeding up the diagnosis process for patients. The Award is voted for by customers and peers, and recognizes Philips work in developing integrated care solutions within advanced visualization. - Philips were today announced as recipients of the Exhibit Europe Award at the 2011 European Congress of Radiology. The Award - presented to Peter Reimer, Vice President Marketing, Imaging Systems, Philips Healthcare, by the ECR Congress President, Professor Yves Menu, Chairman of the Department of Radiology at the Saint Antoine Hospital and Professor of Radiology at the University Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris VI), and Peter Baierl, ECR Executive Director - is a recognition of the world-class learning experience Philips has created and delivered through their exhibit at the ECR. The scientific and educational exhibits were judged with regard to their scientific content, educational value, originality and visual impression.

You can visit us at ECR 2011 in the Philips booth, # 102 in hall A, located at the Austria Center, Vienna, or visit http://www.philips.com/media