Sectra partners with R2 Technology
Sectra partners with R2 Technology Sectra partners with R2 Technology to integrate ImageChecker® computer-aided technology (CAD) with Sectra MicroDose Mammography® system Sectra, one of today's major PACS and digital Mammography providers and R2 Technology, Inc., the leader in computer-aided detection (CAD), today announced a partnership agreement to customize CAD technology for use with the Sectra MicroDose Mammography® system. R2's ImageChecker® CAD technology is designed to assist radiologists in the early detection of breast cancer. "Through this cooperation with R2, we can provide our customers with an advanced tool for CAD that is fully integrated with our Sectra MicroDose mammography system and Sectra PACS for Breast imaging," said Dr. Torbjorn Kronander, president, Sectra Imtec AB. "The integration of CAD technology will complement our system by further enhancing efficiency and improving quality of care." Under the agreement, Sectra will have exclusive worldwide distribution rights to R2's CAD technology as applied to the Sectra's MicroDose Mammography system for three years. CAD is used by increasing numbers of radiologists as "a second pair of eyes" when reading a mammogram. Analogous to a spellchecker system on a personal computer, this technology uses computer algorithms to identify areas on the mammogram containing characteristics that may warrant a second review by the radiologist. Use of the ImageChecker CAD system can increase the early detection of breast cancer by up to 23.4 percent. To date, more than 1,200 ImageChecker CAD systems have been shipped worldwide. The Sectra MicroDose Mammography system is based on completely new digital detector technology, which enables radiation capture of about 95 percent efficiency. The result is a reduction of radiation dose to the examined woman of 80% or more, while maintaining the same high image quality achieved with conventional film or other digital systems. "The vision behind R2's CAD technology is the early detection of cancer, and we are very pleased to be partnering with Sectra to make this innovative technology more widely available to women within the mammography community worldwide," said Michael S. Klein, president and CEO of R2 Technology. "The combination of the Sectra MicroDose Mammography system with our customized CAD technology will result in better tools to fight against breast cancer." About Sectra Sectra is one of today's major diagnostic imaging providers with more than 420 installations worldwide. Sectra's core business is to deliver top-of-the-line, high-availability, robust enterprise diagnostic imaging for 24/7 operation. In Scandinavia Sectra is the market leader with more than 50 percent of all film-free installations. The company also has a large number of systems installed in most major countries in Europe, the Far East and North America, in co-operation with partners. For more information, visit www.sectra.com. About R2 Technology, Inc. R2 Technology, Inc., headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a recognized leader in the development and commercialization of computer-aided detection (CAD), an innovative technology that assists radiologists in the early detection of breast cancer and other abnormalities. As a medical software company, R2 is developing CAD systems for a variety of imaging modalities and disease states. R2 recently received an "A" rating from MD Buyline and was given the 2003 Frost and Sullivan Product Leadership Award. For information, visit www.r2tech.com. The ImageChecker is a registered trademark of R2 Technology. Sectra MicroDose Mammography system is a trademark of Sectra. For further information, please contact: Dr. Torbjörn Kronander, President Sectra Imtec AB +46 705 23 52 27, to-kro@sectra.se Dr. Jan-Olof Brüer, President and CEO Sectra AB +46 13 23 52 09, job@sectra.se Chris K. Joseph +1 408/481-5668, cjoseph@r2tech.com Laurie HallwylerR2 Technology +1 408/481-5654, lhallwyler@r2tech.com Visit our website http://www.sectra.com Sectra's operations Sectra has its roots in Linköping Institute of Technology and is one of Sweden's fastest growing high-tech companies in IT. Since the mid-1980s, Sectra has successfully conducted development and sales of advanced IT and medical technology products. Today, the business includes products in medical systems, secure communication systems and wireless information systems. Sectra's medical business is conducted in Sectra Imtec AB, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sectra AB. Internationally, Sectra PACS is marketed and sold through different partners. Business is conducted in eight countries with a total of 290 employees. Sales for the fiscal year 2002/03 reached SEK 503 million. Since March 1999, Sectra's shares have been quoted on the O list of the Stockholm Exchange. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/19/20040116BIT20680/wkr0006.pdf