CHICAGO (RSNA Booth # 4229) Nov. 30, 2008 – Expanding its commitment to high-performance, affordable radiology printing, Sony is showing, its FilmStation™ Mammography Film Imager (model UP-DF750) at the Radiology Society of North America (RSNA) Conference.

             On display as a working prototype, it features a high-resolution thermal printing system and specially engineered blue thermal high-density film. The new printer is optimized for full-field digital mammography (FFDM) applications and designed to help facilities meet Mammography Quality Standard Act (MQSA) regulations.

             Like other members of the FilmStation family, the UP-DF750 has been designed for digital printing and delivers unprecedented speed, image quality and flexibility in a compact footprint.  When available, the imager will yield high-resolution, detailed images in 606 dpi at an ultra-fast print time of approximately 90 sheets per hour.  The new film imager strengthens Sony’s ongoing commitment to the women’s imaging market, which began with ultra-sound printing more than 25 years ago.

             “When mammography sites go digital, the need for printing images still remains strong,” said Julie Holodak, radiology product marketing manager for Sony Electronics. “For consultations, second opinions and treatment planning, mammography image sharing is frequently accomplished with hard copies.

“However, since exams are typically read digitally, imaging sites are looking for printers that are cost-effective, compact and easy to use and maintain, while delivering the high image quality that the modality requires.  This new imager was specifically created to meet all these demands.”

             The versatile system will meet a full range of general radiology printing needs.  It will feature the FilmStation imager’s unique, flexible configuration that enables both vertical and horizontal positioning and, if desired, will be able to stand upright conveniently alongside a PC under a desktop.  The dry imager will feature the most compact footprint of any similar printer on the market today and weighs 50 pounds less than the smallest competing device.  The ultra-fast one-minute warm-up time should be ideal for today’s digital mammography sites that often switch between soft and hard copy output.

             Designed for ease of use, the new FilmStation imager has convenient front-mounted controls, a built-in DICOM 3.0 interface and accepts film in multiple sizes.  Automatic calibration provides consistent image quality.

Visit the Sony radiology website at www.sony.com/radiology.