New embedded processors promise faster medical imaging including OCT
NOVEMBER 13, 2008 -- Texas Instruments(Dallas, TX) has announced a portfolio of more than 15 dedicated embedded processors designed to speed optical coherence tomography (OCT) among other medical imaging modalities. The processors, says TI, will enable more accurate medical imaging results for doctors and clinicians, and help medical imaging equipment manufacturers develop new modalities or make existing products smaller and more portable.
Embedded digital signal processors are flexible, programmable devices that can be field upgraded with the updated software and algorithms. Universities, programmers and R&D centers continually develop new algorithms to improve the clarity, depth and usefulness of diagnostic images. With TI's extensible processors, these new algorithms can be easily uploaded to field-deployed machines. For equipment manufacturers, these rapid updates lengthen the life of their installations, while improving machine functionality. For clinicians and patients, improved images equal better diagnoses and care response.
In addition to enabling improved images, TI's processors and high-performance analog products also positively impact the speed of care. Many of TI's integrated circuits for medical imaging offer exceptional performance at very low power and in ultra-small form factors, enabling equipment manufacturers to turn large, fixed machines into portable or handheld devices. Portable imaging machines can travel directly to the patient -- whether in an ambulance, in remote locations or in trauma and triage settings -- improving the overall speed and effectiveness of delivering treatment.
Embedded processors, as well as TI's DLP technology, also give manufacturers tools for new imaging modalities. New techniques such as tissue elasticity imaging, hyperspectral imaging, adaptive patient-specific imaging and 3D/4D imaging and vein viewing all leverage the numerous capabilities of high performance, low power devices from TI. For example, real-time, patient-specific tissue elasticity images can be achieved with new algorithms developed specifically for TI's processors, delivering optimal diagnostics. For 3D/4D imaging, which requires a tremendous amount of real-time processing, TI's processors improve the richness of 3D fetal modeling for clinical analysis and enable effective 4D cardiovascular applications. DLP technology eliminates "bad sticks" by allowing the patient's veins to be highlighted and easily viewed.
"Since the 1980s, TI has worked with medical customers and imaging pioneers such as the University of Washington to develop technologies that advance medical electronics to improve patient care," said Niels Anderskouv, Vice President, DSP Systems with TI. "With this portfolio of processors, we believe we are truly able to give our customers the tools they need to deliver faster, more accurate imaging results to patients and physicians."
Addressing many challenges facing imaging OEMs, TI begins with the signal chain -- taking the analog signal captured by the machine, digitizing it for analysis and then converting it back to analog for viewing by the physician or clinician. Surrounding the signal chain, TI also provides power management, clocks, interface, amplifiers and data converters, resulting in the broadest semiconductor portfolio products available for all medical imaging modalities. TI's embedded processors range from high-performance multicore devices to very low-power products that meet the imaging equipment manufacturers' needs. For example, TI's numerous multicore products offer significant computational performance required by OEMs for high-end imaging modalities. High-performance single-core processors such as the TMS320C6455 and TMS320C6452 are well-suited for imaging modalities requiring real-time operations such as ultrasound, digital x-ray, OCT, hyperspectral imaging and other emerging applications.
Leveraging TI's imaging capabilities, the TMS320DM644x family improves backend processing for imaging applications. Portable and handheld applications benefit from TI's low power OMAP(TM) and TMS320C67x processor platforms, which deliver significantly more performance versus power than traditional field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). TI's portfolio of products based on DaVinci(TM) technology offers a complete processing solution with a combination of peripherals, memory and processors to significantly reduce board space and complexity for smaller products that can get to market faster.
Each of these processors is supported by a robust gathering of analog products designed to enhance the power efficiency, speed and processing of the images captured on screen.
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Texas Instruments medical imaging