Canon U.S.A. to showcase digital printing solution at RSNA 2009

At the 2009 Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting (RSNA 2009), Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital advanced imaging technologies (Booth #8339), will showcase the Canon imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution with Virtual Imaging’s CYPHER, which is a DICOM printer server, a DICOM print solution which has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) .

The imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution produces high quality color prints intended for non-diagnostic purposes by healthcare professionals looking for a cost effective way to add value and introduce new capabilities in environments where quality is a critical factor in relaying messages and presenting data. When combined with the CYPHER print server, and utilized with Canon’s advanced portable and general digital radiography (DR) systems and solutions or other DICOM modalities with Print SCU capability³, the imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution is a cost effective digital printing solution capable of producing ancillary patient exam results on paper with outstanding image quality and vibrant colors to share with referring physicians, patients, insurance companies and authorities, as well as for teaching purposes.

Although the prints are not intended for diagnostic purposes, the imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution is specifically designed for print environments that require high levels of accuracy, detail and consistency in image reproduction. By printing secondary copies on paper rather than film, this print on demand solution can help reduce costs and time, helping support quicker patient turnaround time.

"At RSNA 2009, healthcare professionals can experience how the imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution when combined with the CYPHER print server can streamline their workflow and reduce the costs of their facility’s printing needs by implementing a centralized DICOM printing solution," said Sam Yoshida, vice president and general manager, Imaging Systems Group, Canon U.S.A. "Without the complexities of a dedicated printing solution for each modality and costs associated with maintaining multiple printers and media types, more time can be focused on patient care."

"The recent installation of the Canon imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution with the CYPHER print sever has provided a significant cost savings for our company," said Fred L. Steinberg, M.D., medical director, University MRI & Diagnostic Imaging Centers. "Previously, we had expensive dedicated printers for various imaging modalities that were not well integrated, had high service costs associated with them and the actual film and supplies were expensive."

Dr. Steinberg concluded, "There is still the requirement for physicians to have hard copies and being able to produce these images on paper with the imagePRESS C1+ and CYPHER represents a significant cost savings."

The imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution produces superb black-and-white prints, as well as true consistent color for widespread use in connection with various office documentation printing needs. The imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution can produce output at a true resolution of up to 1200 x 1200 dots-per-inch (dpi) with 256 shades of gray, high-quality images with clean, precise lines and even, continuous tones. With printing speeds up to 14 pages-per-minute⁴ (ppm) for color jobs, and up to 60 ppm⁴ for black-and-white, the imagePRESS C1+ digital printing solution has the ability to handle a wide range of paper stock from 17 pound bond – 140 pounds index including coated and textured stocks in a variety of popular paper sizes (up to 13 x 19 inches), without compromising image quality. In addition, when printing on a variety of media finishes, Gloss Optimization helps to ensure that the gloss of the media will match the imaged area.

The CYPHER print server is an easy-to-use print solution that is able to effortlessly handle multiple simultaneous associations and can log the network exchange for the purpose of analysis. Images can be enhanced while retaining detail and gradients of black and white results with the SMPTE test pattern, allowing for easy comparison between the monitor and the hard proof of study results. It also provides gamma and contrast image value adjustments for each individual printer. In addition, rules can be configured for specific printing needs such as prints from an MRI on blue film printed on 11 x 17 inch paper.