Sirona introduces Galileos 3D cone beam imaging system

Sirona has received US FDA approval for its new Galileos 3D cone beam digital x-ray system with the official launch to take place at the American Dental Association's annual session in Las Vegas in October.

Developed in conjunction with former parent, Siemens Medical, it uses proven highly sensitive, robust image intensifier technology to produce a 15cm x 15cm x 15cm imaging volume with around the same radiation dose as a traditional panoramic x-ray, all at a very high resolution of 150 microns.

Visualisation software and implant planning software allowing views from any angle of the patient is also included. With this innovation, Sirona becomes one of the first manufacturers to offer a 3D imaging system featuring complete interaction between hardware and software, giving users the power of integrated diagnostics, planning and treatment from a single imaging system.

"Sirona's Galileos 3D imaging technology extends a practitioners' diagnostic X-ray imaging potential exponentially, particularly in the fields of implantology, periodontics, oral/maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics," said John Smithson, Marketing Director - Sirona Imaging Systems. "The visualization tools available in the software enable practitioners to reduce risk in different treatment modalities, plan surgical interventions, coordinate treatment planning with colleagues and explain treatments to patients - all with greater clarity and certainty. This results in the optimum efficiency in clinical workflow."

Sirona 3D imaging with new Cone Beam Computer Tomography technology goes beyond traditional diagnostics and treatment capabilities by calculating a large volume 3D image set - more than 200 exposures - in a single low-dose 3D scan of 15 seconds or less. This 3D image set is processed and presented in the new Galaxis software, an advanced extension of Sirona's renowned Sidexis XG imaging software. The imaging unit and its software work in complete harmony to provide new options for preoperative planning.

Galileos not only shows 3D displays in perfect image quality, but also enables clear navigation and diagnosis in the traditional PAN, CEPH and TSA (transversal slice) displays. This feature gives practitioners unmatched flexibility and potential in dental diagnostics.

In addition to a very short, low-dose scan cycle and flexible display capabilities, another advantage with GALILEOS is faster, more integrated workflow. Galileos is an all-in-one diagnostics and planning system that is controlled intuitively via its EasyPad Touchscreen, and is integrated fully with its new Galaxis 3D imaging software. With completely integrated hardware and software, practitioners enjoy the widest range of capabilities - from diagnosis to implant planning to patient communications. Sirona is also helping to transform dentistry with Computer Aided Dental Surgery (CADS), again taking workflow efficiency to the next level.

"Galileos represents the culmination of all our technology, expertise and experience - to provide the industry with a powerful single system for diagnostics, planning and treatment," Mr Smithson said. "As a progressive innovator, Sirona is creating practical new technologies that will have long-term affects on patient care. That is the best way we can contribute to our changing industry."

Sirona will premier the Galileos in Australia at the forthcoming ADA Congress in March 2007.