www.bcftechnology.com+44 (0)1506 460 023 Your ultrasound and X-ray people

Spring 2013

We have now released the new version of the Vita CR X-ray system which includes veterinary specific software. The software contains tools to improve workflows including a positioning guide with images of correct positioning and collimation for most radiographic views.

The system has a range of veterinary specific tools built-in which walk you through how to perform these measurements; TPLO, Laminitis, Vertebral Heart Score, TTA, Hip Scoring. Image quality has greatly improved meaning the Vita produces clear, easy to interpret radiographs. You can trust that the image you are seeing is a true representation of the patient anatomy.

Kimberly Palgrave and Kat Evans from BCF worked closely with Carestream to produce the new veterinary specific system ensuring full suitability for the veterinary practice.

Kat Evans, BCF Radiographer commented,

“Our priority when developing the new version of the system was improving workflow in the veterinary practice. The system has achieved this, along with improved image quality, whilst retaining the same pricing as before.”

To find out more about the improved Vita CR X-ray, visit www.bcftechnology.com

Welcome to the fourth edition of In Focus. At BCF we have been busy working on things to improve life in the vet practice. This includes new clinical resources and new equipment such as the improved Vita CR X-ray system which now includes veterinary specific software and the new Smart Display for the Easi-Scan.

As always we have been supporting training courses and providing in-house training courses to practices across the country. Check out our course dates inside or on the BCF website.

If you have any ideas or suggestions about how we can assist you with learning in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

kimberly.palgrave@bcftechnology.com

Have you seen what the improved Vita CR X-ray system can do?

Kimberly’s welcome…

In THIS ISSue» The new Vita CR X-ray system» The Vet Charity Challenge

» Clinical Radiography exposure settings

» Win a DP-50 at BSAVA» BCF training courses

» The Easi-Scan Smart Display » The new Cuattro X-ray range

BCF were delighted to help out the Highland Wildlife Park in Inverness recently when Arktos the Polar Bear was in need of a dental treatment. After keepers at the park noticed the polar bear wasn’t himself, further checks revealed that Arktos may be suffering from toothache. A team of expert veterinarians were called in to help the four year old, 477kg bear.

Kimberly, BCF’s in-house vet attended with the new version of the Carestream Vita CR X-ray system in order to help determine the dental problem. The Vita was set-up ‘bear-side’, to allow a number of radiographs to be taken throughout the procedure, with near instant imaging allowing quick diagnosis and treatment.

The X-rays revealed Arktos required root canal treatment, rather than extraction as originally thought by veterinary dental expert Norman Johnston, who carried out the treatment. Arktos made a quick, full recovery following the treatment.

Arktos the Polar Bear visits the dentist... BCF assists

The new Sonosite Edge takes imaging to a new level not previously seen on a system designed for field use. The system is extremely durable having been designed for use in battlefields and disaster zones making it suitable for any veterinary environment. It is a truly mobile, handheld system weighing just 5kg and with a start-up time of less than 15 seconds.

The Edge is easy to use; the powerful system does all the work for you, leaving you to focus on the patient. It is fully upgradeable to Colour, Pulsed Wave (PW) and Continuous Wave (CW) Doppler and it can also be DICOM enabled, so the system can grow with you as required.

To find out more about the new edge ultrasound system, visit www.bcftechnology.com

Introducing the new edge ultrasound system BCF donate scanner to Dog’s Trust

We are delighted to introduce the new Sonosite Edge ultrasound system. The system is suitable for both small animal and equine reproduction, abdominal, musculoskeletal, cardiac and ophthalmic applications.

BCF Technology was happy to help the Dogs Trust Rehoming Centre recently with the donation of a Sonosite 180+ ultrasound scanner.

The request came from Mary Ramage who runs the Dogs Trust Charity in Uddingston, Scotland. Mary said that before the Centre had ultrasound they had to send staff members 30-40 minutes each way for referral at a high financial cost to the centre.

Mary commented,

“On occasions it could take up to a week for a slot to open up for a dog to be seen. Then it could take longer for the report to get back on the diagnosis. Having the equipment has helped in terms of time management with respects to organising staff to leave the centre and organising a vehicle for transportation. It has really had an impact on the efficiencies of the practice. Overall the most important thing has been that the welfare of the dogs has improved.”

Both Mary and Angela love working with the charity and have been doing do so for several years and are very appreciative of the donation made by BCF Technology.

See more in the news section at www.bcftechnology.com

Vet Charity Challenge 2013 date announced

Details of the Vet Charity Challenge have been launched for 2013 at www.vetcharitychallenge.co.uk, along with the announcement that this is to become an annual event, following the success of the Vet Charity Challenge last year.

Vet Charity Challenge 2013 will take place on Saturday 28th September at Pershore College in Worcestershire. The event comprises teams of four taking part in walking/ running, cycling and kayaking along with some orienteering and mental and physical tasks.

The Vet Charity Challenge 2012 raised a total of £21,000, which was shared between three animal charities, SPANA, Pet Blood Bank and Hounds for Heroes.

Jason Rogers from BCF Technology commented,

“We are absolutely delighted with raising a total of £21,000 in 2012, and a massive thanks to all who took part and donated. We are even more pleased to continue with the event in 2013. This is a great incentive to improve your fitness over the year and improve teamwork within your practice.”

The event is sponsored by BCF Technology, Kruuse and Vetoquinol and supported by VPMA, Mojo Consultancy and media partner Vet Practice magazine.

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news

Radiographic exposure settings It is essential that radiographs taken in practice should be of diagnostic quality to enable accurate evaluation for the presence of disease/pathology. Here is a brief refresher of the primary factors which, if properly adjusted, will optimise the quality of your film or digital radiographs:

Too low Too high

mAs Image too ‘light’ (underexposed)

Image too ‘dark’ (overexposed)

kV Image with high contrast (too black and white – soft tissue may be lost)

Image with low contrast (too uniformly grey – difficult to distinguish individual structures)

FFD Image overexposed (if other settings unchanged)

Image underexposed (if other settings unchanged)

OFD Cannot be too low! Image magnification and blurring of edges

Patient positioning

Whether you are working with companion animals, horses, farm or exotic species, it is important to properly restrain the patient and position them for optimal exposure of the region of interest and radiographic projection (view).

Centring and collimation

The beam should be centred over the primary region of interest and the collimation should always be adjusted to the region of interest.

exposure factors

Milliamperage (mA)

• Amount of electrical current applied to cathode• Affects number of X-rays produced• Usually combined with time (s) to enable mAs

to be altered as a single setting• Alters the overall brightness of the image

(overall more ‘light’ or ‘dark’)• Higher mAs = a greater number of X-rays will be

produced and pass through the patient to reach the cassette (and vice versa)

Time in seconds (s)

• Length of time current applied to cathode • Affects number of X-rays produced • Usually combined with milliamperage (mA)

to enable mAs to be altered as a single setting

Kilovoltage (kV)

• Voltage applied across the generator • Affects energy of X-rays produced • Alters the visible contrast between tissues

(image more black and white or uniformly grey)

• Higher kV = the X-rays leaving the generator will have greater energy and so will be able to pass through the patient more easily to reach the cassette (and vice versa)

Focal spot/film distance (FFD)

• Distance between the source of X-rays (focal spot in the generator) and the cassette/plate

• Increase/decrease in FFD requires alteration in other exposure factors (increase in FFD requires increase in mAs +/- kV and vice versa)

Object-film distance (OFD)

• Distance between the patient and the cassette/plate • Increase in OFD results in image blurring and magnification

* Remember that increasing either mAs or kV will cause the film to be darker, therefore a correctly exposed radiograph relies on both an appropriate mAs and kV setting to be used

Object/area of interest (hand) near to the ‘film/casette’ (wall) – shadow cast is of nearly equal size with sharp edges

Object/area of interest (hand) farther away from ‘film/cassette’ (wall) – shadow cast is magnified with blurred edges

Visit the BCF website for a downloadable version of the X-ray comparison chart.

Clinical Radiography

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In Focus | Spring 2013

Clinical Radiography

Help others in their search for ultrasound and X-ray equipment by reviewing your BCF product.

Visit the BCF website to tell us how your equipment has made a difference in the practice. Whether it has improved things, how it aids patient treatment, if it easy to use, or anything else you would like to pass on to help others find the right product for them. Every month one reviewer will be selected at random to win a Kindle.

Review it and win a Kindle!

Don’t miss your Lifetime Warranty Service

Review it!Help others looking for imaging equipmentKindle to be won every month

If you have bought an Easi-Scan since November 2011, your Lifetime Warranty service may now be due. You will be sent an email reminder to let you know. It is important to maintain your service in order to remain within the programme.

Being part of the Lifetime Warranty programme means—

• Your Easi-Scan scanner and probe will be covered by warranty for as long as you own your ultrasound scanner

• Warranty repair and annual maintenance service costs are covered at a fixed cost

• Having your scanner serviced annually will increase the life of your scanner and decrease the likelihood of breakdowns

• Gives you peace of mind that your scanner will last

• Gives you a higher trade-in value as a Lifetime Warranty member

• Serviced and maintained by our specialist facility in Livingston, Scotland and Dundalk in Ireland

Clinical ultrasound— Don’t be fooled! Mirror image artefact When performing radiography and ultrasonography, it is important that normal anatomical variations and imaging artefacts are not mistaken for pathologic lesions.An example of this is the mirror image artefact observed in the cranial abdomen which occurs as a result of the reflective surface of the interface between the diaphragm and aerated lung within the thorax. This reflective interface causes disruption to the normal path of travel of a portion of the ultrasound beam between the liver and transducer (probe). This results in the misrepresentation of the location of the liver on the thoracic side of the diaphragm (in addition to the liver also being represented in its normal anatomical location caudal to the diaphragm). The appearance of this artefact should not be confused for the presence of a diaphragmatic hernia.

Fig. 1: Ultrasound image of the canine liver in the sagittal plane (cranial is towards the left of the image). The presence of a parenchymatous organ on the thoracic side of the diaphragm may be mistaken for a diaphragmatic hernia involving the liver. However, the ‘line’ of the diaphragm (arrow) is continuous and the location of hepatic vasculature is nearly symmetrical on either side of this line.

Fig. 2: Ultrasound image of the cranial abdomen in the sagittal plane (cranial is towards the left of the image). Note the absence of the hyperechoic line representative of the diaphragm. The caudal vena cava is clearly visualised, indicating that aerated lung is not present in this area of the thorax (the ultrasound beam would normally be reflected by the presence of air within the lungs). A loop of small intestine is also visualised in this image, cranial to the liver. This is an example of a true diaphragmatic hernia.

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news

13th June/3rd October 2013

Speaker – Lucy Tyler MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS

Venue – Kingsplay Farming Company, Wiltshire

Course fee – BCF customers –£200 plus VAT Non-customers –£325 plus VAT

20th June/24th October 2013

Speaker – Lucy Tyler MA VetMB CertCHP MRCVS

Venue – Kingsplay Farming Company, Wiltshire

Course fee – BCF customers –£250 plus VAT Non-customers –£375 plus VAT

28th May/29th October 2013

Speaker – Kimberly Palgrave BS BVM&S GPCert(DI) MRCVS

Venue – Granary Conferencing Centre, Cheshire

Course fee – BCF customers – £250 plus VAT Non-customers – £350 plus VAT

Basic Bovine Reproductive ultrasonography

Advanced Bovine ultrasonography

Basic Small Animal ultrasonography

Management of Cardio-respiratory Cases —Comprehensive Modular CourseAs a new venture this year we are excited to launch a series of courses designed for the general practitioner in cardiology and respiratory medicine. These five one day courses are designed to either be stand alone one-day courses or to run together as a modular course. Throughout this series of courses, you will further develop your skills and gain confidence in your approach to cardio-respiratory cases.

Speaker – Rachel James MA VetMB CertSAM DVC MRCVS

Fee per individual course date: BCF customers – £300 plus VAT Non-customers – £400 plus VAT

Fee for entire 5-course module: BCF customers – £1,250 (£250 per course) plus VAT Non-customers – £1,750 (£350 per course) plus VAT

Day 1: Fundamentals—History, clinical exam and eCG

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire: 21st May 2013• Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: 23rd May 2013

Day 2: Imaging—Radiography and bronchoscopy

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire: 18th June 2013• Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: 20th June 2013

Day 3: Imaging—echo 1

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire: 8th July 2013• Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: 10th July 2013

Day 4: Imaging —echo 2

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire: 17th September 2013• Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: 19th September 2013

Day 5: Therapeutics and management— A case-based approach

• Harrogate, North Yorkshire: 15th October 2013• Holmes Chapel, Cheshire: 17th October 2013

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In Focus | Spring 2013 Courses

BCF Training Courses

uno Slate 3 Wireless The uno Slate 3 Wireless offers the newest DR technology currently available in the market. equine vets will fall in love with this system. Ambulatory radiography workflows will be significantly improved with the removal of wires which have been known to cause hazards and hassles.

The Uno Slate 3 offers;

• Outstanding images in just 4.9 seconds from our exclusive 10x12” Wireless Cesium-I 16 bit Detector

• The markets largest Direct Sunlight Readable and ACR Primary Diagnostic portrait display for images 3 times the scale and many times clearer than older solutions

• Pinch, zoom and swipe display functionality to transport you easily through your procedures

• Moveable glove-sized handle from portrait to landscape to none

Support CloudSupport Cloud includes CloudBank storage and ViewCloud; anytime, anywhere PACS

CloudBank gives you automatic, long-term storage of images (generally for 7 years), via DICOM, in our secure, high-speed data centres. ViewCloud is a true cloud-based PACS for DR, CR, US, CT, MR and more and is available in feature rich pro and specialist editions.

All ViewCloud editions include ability to view images and reports from virtually any connected computer, smartphone, netbook or iPad or tablet, without having to install a programme or download any data.

Contact your local Account Manager or visit www.bcftechnology.com for more information

uno Slate 2 Wired The uno Slate 2 delivers a fresh approach to a traditional idea. The traditional wired DR benefits from the award winning uno touchscreen software, better quality images and a larger 10x12” detector area, making it the complete package when it comes to wired DR.

The Slate 2 offers;

• Full-size, full-res images in under 5 seconds using our exclusive 10x12” Csi Detector

• The markets largest Direct Sunlight Readable and ACR Primary Diagnostic portrait display

• Modern multi-touch DICOM software

• The industries gold standard 14bit image tuning technologies

• Simply connect a traditional X-ray generator to Uno Slate 2 and experience the best image available

Cloud DR— Small Animal system The Cloud DR seamlessly brings together the Cloud DR Touch workstation, high frequency digital generator mechanics system, and 17” x 17” solid flat-panel-digital-detectors, into a digital imaging powerhouse.

The Small Animal DR is perfect for practices performing mid-high radiography throughput. The system offers greatly improved workflows, meaning less time spent per X-ray study, more free time to spend on other tasks and high quality diagnostic images. The DR system is a smart investment for the practice which will quickly pay for itself.

• Automatic technical settings: species, size, anatomy, view

• Medical hospital grade ratio collimator

• Hands-free collimation light system

Introducing the new Cuattro DR X-ray range from BCFWe are delighted to introduce our latest range of X-ray DR equipment now available in the UK & Ireland from BCF.

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Products

X-ray equipment

North Downs Surgical Referrals (one of the biggest veterinary referral hospitals in the UK) are the first small animal practice in the UK to invest in the GE Vivid E9.

The Vivid E9 is the leading 4D cardio-vascular ultrasound system for referral hospitals. Offering outstanding Doppler quality, colour, pulsed wave and continuous wave Doppler. The system is designed for cardiac 4D imaging yet still provides the highest quality 2D images.

North Downs invested in the Vivid E9 because they wanted to get the very best image quality in order to asses PDA cases prior to surgery.

Simon Dennis, European Veterinary Specialist from North Downs commented,

“The Vivid E9 is the flagship cardiovascular ultrasound machine. Out of all the machines that we tried, this had by far the most superior image quality in terms of 2D and Doppler imaging. That’s not a surprise as this was the first cardiovascular system that was built specifically for 4D imaging. That really enhances our ability to diagnose our patients, the image quality is far superior to anything that we’ve used, and that is out there. Both Joao and I have previously used the Vivid-i and the Vivid 7 and this is a real step up on both those systems.”

By investing in the latest ultrasound technology, NDSR are staying at the forefront of industry technology. The capabilities of this system will allow them to perform advanced procedures and offer a higher level of patient care.

To find out more about the Vivid e9 and its capabilities, visit the BCF website now.

The new Easi-Scan Smart Display is now available as an accessory for the Easi-Scan. It acts as an intelligent touch screen monitor that clips onto the Easi-Scan.

The Smart Display will offer the added functionality to allow you to measure fat thickness and meat depth on cattle, pigs and sheep.

It also allows you to perform equine reproductive and first-pass musculoskeletal evaluations. You will have the ability to trace tendon lesions and calculate the percentage of damage, measure using on screen callipers.

To find out more about the easi-Scan Smart Display, visit www.bcftechnology.com

north Downs Referrals invest in the Vivid e9

The new easi-Scan Smart Display

The Logiq S7 ultrasound system

The GE Logiq S7 brings the latest imaging technology and superb versatility at a very affordable price.

New matrix probes and single crystal technology allow the user to achieve great image quality using functions such as B-flow, Power Doppler and Contrast Imaging.

The Logiq S7 comes with a large 19” monitor with additional 7” touchscreen which provides excellent image quality and comfort during scanning. The Logiq S7 has been designed to deliver great usability and is able to be lowered to a height that helps scan areas such as the equine distal limb.

Nigel Perry from BCF said:

“There is a great variety of applications for the Logiq S7. There aren’t many other machines at this sort of price that have so many uses. The image quality is also excellent”.

To find out more about the Logiq S7 visit www.bcftechnology.com

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In Focus | Spring 2013 news

Would you like to win a new ultrasound system for your practice? enter our competition at BSAVA for your chance to win a DP-50 ultrasound scanner and probe worth £6,500… and let your friends in the practice make your tea for the rest of the year!

Visit the BCF video booth, next to the BCF stand – 428 at BSAVA to record a message telling BCF why you would like a new ultrasound system for your practice and share one imaging tip or experience, to be in with a chance of winning. The most creative and interesting stories will have the best chance of winning.

Alternatively you could create your own video at home or in the practice and send it in to BCF before the 21st of April 2013. Once you have recorded your message, come and speak to our Account Managers to find out more about ultrasound and X-ray for your practice.

We will also have some very exclusive show prices on ultrasound and X-ray systems available, so come and find yourself a deal!

South West Kat Evans Also nationwide training–qualified Radiographer07525 991 063kat.evans@bcftechnology.com

Scotland and north of england Russell Brown07803 899512russell.brown@bcftechnology.com

M62 CorridorSarah O’Grady07801 341 027sarah.o’grady@bcftechnology.com

Ireland and northern Ireland Bryan Gee+353 (0)867 915 837 bryan.gee@bcftechnology.com

eastNigel Perry07876 202 016nigel.perry@bcftechnology.com

Midlands and LondonAnnie Makin07801 340 329annie.makin@bcftechnology.com

Wales and South WestPeter Higginson07841 881 631peter.higginson@bcftechnology.com

SouthCraig Hoines07841 881 632craig.hoines@bcftechnology.com

Meet your local account manager BCF have a number of ultrasound and X-ray experts throughout the UK and Ireland who are happy to provide advice and help you find the right imaging equipment for your practice. Find your local BCF Account Manager below:

Russell Brown

Sarah O’Grady

Nigel Perry

Annie Makin

Peter Higginson

Craig Hoines

Kat Evans

Bryan Gee

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Win a DP-50 at BSAVA

Your ultrasound and X-ray people

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Your ultrasound and X-ray people