The GE Innova™ 2000 is the world's first U.S. Authorized all-digital X-ray cardiovascular imaging system. Cardiologists in the cardiac cath lab use it when performing procedures to view and treat potential coronary artery blockages that could cause heart attacks or other serious cardiovascular damage.

The system, from GE Medical Systems, is designed to provide cardiologists with more information than ever before, resulting in better diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Major Features and Benefits

• The ability to see blood vessels with exceptional clarity, even in larger patients whose images are more difficult to see with conventional X-ray systems.

• Revolutionary image quality and the ability to view hard-to-see blood vessels, as well as devices used during procedures, such as stents, guidewires and catheters.

• Radiation savings compared to conventional fluoroscopy systems.

Research & Development Facts

• GE Medical spent 13 years and more than $150 million developing the technology in the GE Innova 2000.

• More than 100 U.S. patents have been granted.

• This new technology was tested at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. and Jacques Cartier Institute, France.

The Role of GE’s Six Sigma

Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) allowed GE to develop this breakthrough cardiovascular system by incorporating input from medical leaders around the world. As a result of DFSS, GE was able to deliver this technology two years earlier than would have been possible otherwise.

Market Facts

According to the American Heart Association, the cost of treating cardiovascular disease in 2000 is estimated at more than US $325 billion, with the cost of treating heart disease alone at US $214 billion. The global market for cardiovascular imaging is estimated to be US $800 million.

Technological Features

• GE’s Revolution™ digital detector provides the GE Innova® 2000 with the industry’s first fully digital imaging capabilities. By converting X-ray signals into digital images at the point of acquisition, the Revolution™ detector captures information with minimal loss over the full range of typical exposures. It also minimizes the artifacts and distortions associated with conventional systems.

• Advanced dynamic range management (DRM) provides unprecedented views of hard-to-see vessels and other cardiac anatomy.

• Image acquisition technology – resulting in new ways of processing and managing acquired image data. In addition, Innova® 2000 can be integrated into any DICOM image information network, so cardiologists and patients can benefit from easier access to this information anywhere in the world.

Heart Disease and Cardiac Cath Lab Procedure Statistics

• According to the American Heart Association and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of men and women. In total, one (1) in five (5) adults in the U.S. has some form of heart disease.

• The cardiac catheterization market has been a mainstream market for many years and procedures performed in the cath lab are considered quite routine today. The number of procedures increased 299% from 1979 - 1997. According to Frost & Sullivan industry data, in the year 2000 it is projected that nearly 4.5 million cath lab procedures will be performed in the U.S.

General Electric Medical Systems’s Commitment to Cardiac Care

GE is a world leader in providing medical technology for the fight against cardiac disease. From detection and diagnosis, to treatment, monitoring and information systems, GE’s cardiology systems provide cardiac centers with the information they need to optimize patient care.

Innova® 2000 is a major component of GE’s CardioIntelligence initiative, a portfolio of products and services that empowers health care professionals with comprehensive, relevant information they need to speed and improve cardiac care decisions—when every minute counts.