Siemens Healthcare of Erlangen, Germany, has begun commercial shipments in Europe of a full-field digital mammography (FFDM) system with 3D digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) capability.
Siemens reported this month that it has integrated 3D tomosynthesis into its Mammomat Inspiration system, with the first units installed in Germany and Belgium. Digital breast tomosynthesis units use a panning gantry head to produce multiple projections of the breast that can be reconstructed into 3D images. This can help mammographers see around tissue structures that might obstruct tumors.
Basic versions of Mammomat Inspiration without the 3D tomo capability have been shipping since 2007, and Siemens said that these users will soon be able to upgrade to the new DBT capability.
DBT technology is not yet available in the U.S., pending the finalization of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules on how to review digital mammography systems.
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