Next Generation i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D scanner now available

Oct. 5, 2007
Latest version of the Imaging Sciences i-CAT boasts a sleek new redesign and enhanced features for faster and even more accurate treatment planning and surgical success.

HATFIELD, Pennsylvania--Imaging Sciences International, a leader in advanced dental and maxillofacial radiography products, has announced the Next Generation i-CAT is now available for sale and installation.

The latest i-CAT version offers the industry's fastest scan times at 5, 8.5, and 26 seconds, with standard reconstruction taking less than 30 seconds, providing dentists with near-instant data for the best possible patient diagnosis, treatment, and surgical predictability.

Other brand-new features include a rotating, Amorphous Silicon Flat Panel Sensor for capturing both small and Extended Fields of View with superior accuracy, data reliability, and control over radiation dosage.

"Imaging Sciences International set the bar for Cone Beam 3-D imaging with the introduction of the i-CAT in 2004," said Ed Marandola, president of Imaging Sciences. "Now the Next Generation machine has raised the bar for dental imaging and treatment planning. Forward-thinking dental practitioners have long relied on the i-CAT's accurate, in-depth data, while patients appreciate the comfort and convenience of the in-office scans. The latest i-CAT continues our excellence in developing safe and effective treatment planning tools, and cements our leadership position within the industry."

This latest i-CAT version includes several enhanced features that further improve scanning and diagnostic capabilities:

Shorter scan and reconstruction time. The Next Generation i-CAT offers even shorter scan times, plus the fastest reconstruction time. Scan times now take 5, 8.5, and 26 seconds, with standard scan reconstruction taking less than 30 seconds. These processes impact workflow by speeding the time to diagnosis and treatment planning. Patients also don't have to stay still for as long, thus improving patient stability, and resulting in the most accurate images.

Extended Field of View. The large Field of View (17cm height by 23cm diameter) creates anatomically accurate and detailed cephalometric 3-D images of the entire skull. The result: a complete orthodontic work-up of frontal and lateral cephalometric, panoramic, supernumerary, SMV, TM joint, and airway and spinal studies. The i-CAT® images also are compatible with most major orthodontic and implant planning software, and come with 3DVRT Volume Rendering software for viewing and rotating data from all angles.

Rotating flip-panel sensor to capture smaller Fields of View. The Amorphous Silicon Flat Panel sensor, proven to be the best available sensor technology in the industry, adjusts to capture data in two views: portrait and landscape. It has the ability to Collimate for a range of volumes (4-17cm height by 16-23cm diameter). Portrait view captures Extended Field of View data in 8.5 seconds, with less radiation to the patient. In comparison, landscape view offers full resolution and detail for smaller fields of view. This convenient feature gives dental professionals the flexibility to utilize the type of scan appropriate for their treatment. It also helps prevent unnecessary radiation exposure by offering a smaller field of view for post-procedure scans or scans of children to ensure ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) radiation doses, while still allowing the option of a detail-rich wide view when more information is needed.

Manageable file sizes. Typical file sizes are decreased to about 50 megabytes per file, making them the smallest, most manageable file size of any vendor. This means the dentist can easily and quickly share the images with referred specialists, without worry about lengthy downloads and special viewing software.

Sleek redesign. Always one of the smallest scanners available, the i-CAT now boasts a clean design with smoother, rounded corners for aesthetics and ergonomics. In addition, the sturdy and stable chair/head support mechanism reduces movement, and optimizes image quality, while keeping patients comfortable in the perfected seat design.

The easy-to-use i-CAT produces more thorough three-dimensional views of all oral and maxillofacial structures. Patients remain seated in an "open environment scan,' which increases comfort, and captures the natural orientation of anatomy.

Once the data is captured, it's transferred to a computer within minutes, and displayed on an intuitive 3-D mapping tool that allows doctors and technicians to easily format and select desired 'slices' for immediate viewing.

The footprint of the in-office i-CAT is just 17-square feet, and creates the 3-D images at a reduced cost to dentists and patients.

Learn more about Imaging Sciences' cutting edge technologies at Imaging Sciences.