Shimadzu and Konica Minolta Join Forces to Bring Dynamic Digital Radiography to the US Digital Radiography Market

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA along with Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc. today announced a collaborative agreement that will accelerate the commercialization of Dynamic Digital Radiography (DDR) in the US healthcare market. Shimadzu Corporation and Konica Minolta, Inc. collaborated om the development of DDR incorporating Konica Minolta’s new advanced image processing and Shimadzu’s RADspeed Pro radiographic imaging system. The companies will co-market the DDR technology in the US market. DDR is an enhanced X-ray technology that enables clinicians to analyze and quantify the dynamic interaction of anatomical structures with physiological changes over time to enhance diagnostic capability and efficacy.

In clinical studies conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, DDR has been shown to provide a more comprehensive assessment of pulmonary function and pulmonary mechanics than a conventional chest X-ray, as well as visualization of respiratory kinesiology. In a poster presented at the American Thoracic Society 2019 annual meeting, Mary M. O’Sullivan, MD, associate professor of pulmonary medicine, and Stephen I. Zink, radiologist and assistant clinical professor of diagnostic, molecular and interventional radiology, both at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, reported that DDR delivers a contextual understanding of dyspnea and other pathophysiologic abnormalities, and provides an earlier and more comprehensive understanding of the etiology of dyspnea. Of 16 diaphragm abnormalities identified, six were minimally or not visible on the chest radiograph while the other 10 were better defined. Two cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) not seen on the chest radiograph were detected on DDR. Prior studies by Mount Sinai concluded that DDR may be a clinically relevant option to assess COPD severity in the acute setting, and for patients unable to perform pulmonary function testing.

“The continuing relationship between Shimadzu Medical Systems USA and Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas deepens the imaging solutions available in the conventional “rad” room,” says Tom Kloetzly, VP of Sales and Marketing at Shimadzu Medical Systems USA. “Dynamic Digital Radiography will deliver extraordinary pulmonary and orthopedic dynamic imaging, along with the data analytics required to analyze and diagnose difficult patient disease and injury processes. This can all now be performed in a conventional radiographic environment, delivering much needed cost savings and equipment efficiencies.”

“Shimadzu has long been a valued partner of Konica Minolta with an exceptional reputation for providing high-quality radiography systems and we look forward to continuing that relationship as we bring DDR to the US market,” says Guillermo Sander, Director of Marketing, Digital Radiography, Konica Minolta Healthcare. “Based on the clinical data provided by Mount Sinai and several academic hospitals in Japan, we believe that DDR may have an immediate impact in the diagnosis and management of patients with pulmonary diseases. By joining forces with Shimadzu, we strive to accelerate clinical acceptance of this novel technology that may increase the quality and specificity of diagnosis and reduce the need for additional tests.”

Shimadzu and Konica Healthcare will introduce DDR on the RADspeed Pro at the 45th Annual Meeting of the Association for Medical Imaging Management (AHRA), in booths #803 and #711, respectively.

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, a division of Shimadzu Precision Instruments, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation, is its medical business subsidiary in USA.

Shimadzu Corporation, an international enterprise founded in 1875 in Kyoto, Japan and the parent of Shimadzu Medical Systems USA (SMS), is a global provider of medical diagnostic imaging equipment including conventional (Rad & RF), interventional (Cardiovascular) and digital X-Ray systems. Shimadzu Medical Systems USA is headquartered in Torrance, California with Sales and Service offices throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada with a Sales and Marketing office located in Cleveland, Ohio and Southwest Direct Operations headquartered in Dallas, TX.

For further information about Shimadzu Medical Systems USA or other activities of Shimadzu in North America, please visit us at www.shimadzu-usa.com.

Konica Minolta Healthcare is a world-class provider and market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and healthcare information technology. With over 75 years of endless innovation, Konica Minolta is globally recognized as a leader providing cutting-edge technologies and comprehensive support aimed at providing real solutions to meet customer's needs and helping make better decisions sooner. Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc., headquartered in Wayne, NJ, is a unit of Konica Minolta, Inc. (TSE:4902). For more information on Konica Minolta Healthcare Americas, Inc., please visit www.konicaminolta.com/medicalusa.