Confirma Inc plans to launch its initial product, CADstream, at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). CADstream is a computer-aided detection (CAD) system that enhances workflow, data analysis and quality control of medical imaging studies. It is the first dedicated image processing system to be applied to breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) -- an imaging technology gaining popularity for breast cancer imaging.

To account for patient motion, CADstream first registers all of the 500 - 1000 images in the data series.The system then automatically performs image-processing functions that are currently being performed manually by technologists and radiologists. These processes include:subtraction images, real time contrast uptake and washout curves, maximum intensity projections, multi-planar reformatting and tumor volume measurements. The result for radiology clinics is standardization of MRI studies as well as enhancement of MRI interpretation, economics and quality control.

"We have been participating in the CADstream Beta program and have been extremely impressed with the improved quality of our breast MRI studies as well as the amount of time that CADstream has saved our clinic," said David A. Russell, MD of Inland Imaging in Spokane, WA."We have been offering breast MRI studies for nearly two years and have been spending an inordinate amount of time processing these studies. With CADstream, we have reduced that time by about 50 percent, and we have been able to offer more thorough breast MRI studies."

Dr. Russell's center is one of seven that has been participating in the CADstream Beta testing program. The sites have different brands of MR imagers, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and methods for processing and interpreting breast MRI, providing diverse environments for validating CADstream in clinical practice.

RSNA's 2002 annual meeting is being held in Chicago, IL between December 1 and 6 at McCormick Center. The RSNA meeting brings radiologists and radiological technologists from around the world together each year to learn about the most recent developments in radiology. Confirma is exhibiting in booth 8352 in Hall B.