Episcan Ultrasound



	Episcan® Dermal Ultrasound Scanner *Pressure sore prevention wound care * burns * dermatology * skin cancer * cosmetic surgery * aesthetic procedures * product research and assessment What makes Episcan's technology different than other products? There are numerous features and advantages to the EPISCAN as compared to other ultrasound systems. The main advantage is in the resolution of the images. The EPISCAN utilizes ultrasound up to 50 MHz transducer that allows for a resolution to 40 microns. This provides the user with microscopic images of the areas of interest. Also, the EPISCAN utilizes a Windows Operating System that makes it user friendly and portable enough to go to the patient, rather than having to be transported offsite. The images are digital making them convenient for printing, storage and transporting. The system utilizes the power of the PC to provide a variety of features including the importing of photographs, image measurements and annotations and application specific features such as risk assessment for pressure ulcers. The system includes network connectivity, DVD backup, internal card readers and wireless technology. Overall, the EPISCAN is designed to image the skin and superficial soft tissue at a microscopic level, while providing the clinician with a user friendly, point of care tool to provide valuable information and improve patient care and outcomes. Why is network connectivity important? In today's world, it important to be able to transport information rapidly and accurately. Data can be captured at the point of care and interpreted offsite. An example of this would be at a nursing home where a nurse can image an area of a suspected pressure ulcer and the image can be interpreted offsite. This gives the patient the advantage of having the study performed in their own bed, but having the expertise of a specialist read the image and make appropriate recommendations. Also, network connectivity allows for the archiving of data offsite. What can be seen utilizing the EPISCAN? The EPISCAN images the skin and superficial soft tissue at a microscopic level. The different layers of the skin can be visualized in detail. The subcutaneous tissue and deeper structures can be seen to a depth of 2 to 3 centimeters. Subtle changes in fluid content, thickness or tissue density can be appreciated. The skin is the largest organ of the body. Conditions such as pressure ulcers, chronic wounds, burns and skin cancers are very common problems. Also, the skin is a great indicator of various systemic diseases. The EPISCAN can image these pathologies economically and accurately, giving the clinician more information and allowing for improved patient care. See the Episcan I-200 Scanner in action The higher resolution and clarity of the images obtained using the Eipscan set it apart from other mainstream ultrasound imaging system. Click here to see a demonstration of the Episcan in action. Technology Ultrasound has been utilized by the medical community since the 1950's as a safe and flexible imaging modality. Over the last fifty years technological developments have substantially broaden the range of applications for ultrasound imaging, improved image quality, data processing and image presentation and enabled the miniaturization of systems into portable units. These developments have resulted in ultrasound still being considered the imaging modality of first choice by most clinicians despite the more recent introduction of technologies such as MRI, CT, PET etc. The evolution of ultrasound imaging and the introduction of these other imaging technologies have however not addressed the imaging requirements of the surface of the body, despite the skin and underlying soft tissue being the subject of many diseases and injuries. Here, a combination of very high resolution imaging and the ability to differentiate between subtle differences in soft tissue characteristics is required. Systems addressing this need also have to be affordable to the clinical groupings associated with dermatology, wound care, aesthetics, etc. and be user friendly. Longport has developed ultrasound imaging technology that addresses these requirements, the EPISCAN I-200. This EPISCAN utilizes broadband ultrasound at frequencies from 10 to 50MHz to image the skin and underlying soft tissue. The system is primarily digital in design enabling flexible and cost effective data processing and presentation. The ultrasound data is digitalized in real time at rates up to 200MSPS (200 million samples per second) allowing the capture of the maximum amount of information. A series of interchangeable probes provide the user with a range of imaging options. Longport's software operates under a Windows environment providing the user with a comprehensive, but user friendly interface. Click Images to see an enlarged version Some of the features of the EPISCAN's software are: * Multiple images can be tiled on the scanner screen allowing the progression of conditions or different scan sites to be readily compared. * Measurements, including linear and area measurements can be performed and stored onto images. * Image assessment techniques such as pixel intensity distribution can be undertaken. * A range of palettes, grey scale and color can be applied to the images. * An integrated relational database enables images and other data, including digital photographs, to be stored and retrieved in a patient orientated manner. * When scanning the images are retained in "memory loop" enabling the user to review a series of images at the conclusion of the scanning process and to select what image(s) should be stored. Click Images to see an enlarged version The EPISCAN can be connected to a network via cable or wireless means enabling data captured to be backed-up or shared with other clinicians within the facility or remotely. Thus the EPISCAN is compatible with telemedicine use including DICOM configured systems. A read / write DVD ROM enables data to be backed-up or transferred by this means as well. The EPISCAN can be readily taken to the patient's bedside via and an optional cart. A medical grade UPS, (not illustrated) enables the system to remain powered up when being transferred between patients beds, thus optimizing system utilization. A full system specification is downloadable from the download section at the end of this WEB page. Applications / Wound Assessment and Prevention** The EPISCAN can be a valuable tool in the assessment of chronic ulcers. It allows the user to look beneath the wounds for subtle changes that may affect clinical decision making. The EPISCAN can be used for the following: * Visualization of tissue beneath the wound * Visualization of wound undermining * Visualization of sinus tract formation * Visualization of sub-wound edema * Visualization of foreign bodies * Documentation of effectiveness of wound treatments Visualization of tissue beneath the wound: Up until now the caregiver could only visually assess the surface of a wound. The EPISCAN allows the user to look at tissue beneath the wound to see what is occurring. It can aid treatment decisions by helping to determine how deep the wound penetrates and the quality of the tissue beneath the wound. Visualization of wound undermining: It is common for wounds to undermine under the skin expanding much wider than the wound surface. The EPISCAN allows the user to image the peri-wound area to see if undermining is occurring. This can change the treatment regime and require more aggressive debridement or packing of the wound. Visualization of sinus tract formation: Sinus tract formation is common in wounds. In fact since we can see with ultrasound that most wounds begin deep and then tunnel to the surface, it would be expected that many such wounds have deep sinus tracts. The EPISCAN can visualize sinus tracts which may necessitate more aggressive debridement and exploration. This may also alert the healthcare provider to the possibility of ostoemyelitis which may warrant further diagnostic testing. Visualization of sub-wound edema: Many wound care experts and researchers believe that edema under a wound is a prime reason for slow healing. A variety of treatments are aimed at reducing this edema. The EPISCAN is the perfect tool to monitor the effectiveness of these treatments. Visualization of foreign bodies: There are times where there are foreign bodies within the wound tissue. This could be suture or various other structures. Examining the wound with the EPISCAN could help identify these foreign bodies and also help navigate the clinician to the exact location to aid in their removal. Documentation of effectiveness of wound treatments:It is extremely important to document wound appearance, treatment, and outcome as documentation aides in appropriate continuity of care and positive clinical outcomes. The EPISCAN is an excellent assessment tool for this documentation. Sequence of images depicting the healing of a chronic wound Applications / Wound Prevention Pressure ulcers are a common problem in any situation where patients are compromised because of immobility, nutrition, incontinence, or age. They are very painful and very costly. Preventive measures such as pressure relief aids, specialized beds, and mattresses are expensive and therefore cannot be used for every patient. Targeting the pressure relief is a much more cost effective way to manage this problem. By having advanced knowledge at the time of admission that a pressure ulcer is forming, the caregiver can take the appropriate steps to prevent its development. The EPISCAN is ideal for use within acute and long term care facilities for the early detection and prevention of pressure ulcers. Its portability allows it to be used at the bedside. Its ease of use makes it possible to do an exam in a minimal amount of time. Pressure ulcers are a prime outcome measure for long term care and acute care facilities. "Pressure ulcer development is an important outcome measure because it is a common complication, it is largely preventable, and it can be costly both to patients and to health care providers." (US Department of Health) Currently pressure ulcers are considered by CMS to be both a “high cost” and” high volume” condition. According to the CMS final ruling released on August 1, 2007 by the Office of External Affairs; beginning October 2008, CMS will no longer reimburse for “reasonably preventable” hospital acquired pressure ulcers. Pressure ulcers are a primary cause for litigation and regulatory sanctions. The reported incidence of pressure ulcers varies greatly among studies; however, all agree that the incidence should be lower than what presently exists. Acute-care hospitals treat about 2.5 million pressure ulcers each year according to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. Long term care reports a national average of 13% for incidence of high risk residents with pressure ulcers. Estimates for the cost of treating all pressure ulcers in the US range anywhere from $1.3 - $11 billion annually. (Wall Street Journal) Episcan® downloads Episcan® Brochure Wound Presentation Pressure ulcer presentation Dermatology presentation (c) Medilux Healthcare Limited. 2003 - 2010. 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