Full-field breast ultrasound complements mammography.

2004 MAR 4 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division and U-Systems, Inc., a developer of full field breast ultrasound (FFBU), have entered into an agreement where Siemens' provides the ultrasound engine of the Sonoline Antares ultrasound system to be integrated into U-Systems' FFBU system.

The FFBU system is designed to image the whole-breast and immediately deliver results to physicians in a standardized format, making it possible to perform high-volume, cost-effective ultrasound imaging on women with dense breasts.

The FFBU system complements mammography as an aid for radiologists in the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.

"Ultrasound, as an adjunct to mammography, is proven to be the most important breast imaging complement for the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer," says Joseph Pepper, president and chief executive officer of U-Systems.

"This agreement combines our innovative transducer and image display technologies with Siemens' premium ultrasound technology, giving radiologists a cost-effective ultrasound solution to complement mammography."

It is estimated that approximately 31 million mammograms were performed in the United States last year according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the National Institute of Health reports if breast cancer is identified early, or in Stage 0 or I, when it is confined to the duct or local area of the breast, the ...