Helping radiologists expand services within the continuum of care

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 26, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vital Images, Inc. (Vital), a Minneapolis-based enterprise medical imaging and informatics company, and Stratasys, Ltd. (Stratasys), the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company, are partnering to exhibit 3D printing and automated segmentation of medical images at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2016, November 27 – December 2. The companies’ technologies will be showcased in Vital’s booth (North Hall, #7356) and Stratasys’ booth (North Hall, #6360).

Healthcare organizations continue to see value in 3D printing and automated segmentation for improving patient care and efficiency. Vital’s Vitrea^® Advanced Visualization software provides multi-modality, automated segmentation tools to generate 3D models from DICOM 3D datasets. The software converts CT, MR and XA images to stereolithography (STL) files for direct use with 3D printers. At RSNA, a range of anatomical models will be on display and models will be printed live in the Vital booth with a Stratasys printer.

Vital Images and Stratasys have collaborated to create 3D printing packages that contain Vitrea software and 3D printers that allow customers to expedite implementation of their 3D printing initiatives. Customers can choose from various packages that combine best-in-class DICOM editing software and auto segmentation algorithms with next-generation 3D printers. These innovative solutions are being sold by both the Vital Images and Stratasys sales teams.

“Automated segmentation and STL creation have been integrated into Vital software for years and our partnership with Stratasys allows customers to take full advantage of these next-generation capabilities,” says Jim Litterer, president and CEO of Vital Images. “We encourage those attending RSNA to stop by the Vital booth for live demonstrations of how automated segmentation can speed up the workflow of STL creation.”

For healthcare organizations looking to benefit from 3D printing without a capital investment in equipment, Vital offers their 3D Print On-Demand service. The innovative platform allows customers to send files to a global network of Stratasys 3D printers, with the resulting 3D models being shipped directly to the customer. Models are available in a wide range of colors and materials, from soft and dissectible to rigid and durable.

“For years I have been using 3D software for all of my challenging clinical cases, in my surgical planning and quantitative assessment of tumor volume in lung tumors,” says Ritu Gill, M.D., M.P.H., director of imaging research at Brigham and Women's Hospital. “It offers accurate segmentation of anatomical and pathological structures, including airway, vasculature and bones from images, and then converts them to models that then can be printed. Not only do 3D models allow for surgical planning and a multidisciplinary discussion, but they also allow me to show patients the model and explain our team’s surgical approach.”

“Physicians and allied healthcare personnel are looking for solutions to simplify the workflow of 3D printing in a hospital,” says Scott Rader, general manager Stratasys Healthcare Solutions. “When you combine the power of Vitrea software with Stratasys multi-material, full-color printing, a doctor can quickly move from patient imaging to simulating both hard and soft tissue, and also differentiate tissues using vibrant color in a single print. This partnership will accelerate the adoption of 3D in hospitals by combining Vital Images’ Vitrea software that physicians use every day with powerful Stratasys printers.”

Vital and Stratasys will be hosting a 3D print networking event Monday, November 28, after RSNA exhibiting hours. The reception will feature several experts with extensive clinical experience in 3D printing and segmentation. For more information, please visit www.vitalimages.com/events/rsna2016.

About Vital Images, Inc.
Vital Images, Inc., a Toshiba Medical Systems Group company, is a leading provider of diagnostic imaging and enterprise informatics solutions to help healthcare organizations deliver exceptional care while optimizing resources across multi-facility organizations. The company's solutions are scalable to meet the unique needs of hospitals and imaging centers and are accessible throughout the enterprise anytime, anywhere. For more information, visit www.vitalimages.com or join the conversation on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Vitrea is a trademark of Vital Images, Inc.

Vitrea Advanced Visualization is not cleared for surgical planning.

Marks not owned by Vital Images, Inc. are the property of their respective holders.

AT VITAL IMAGES:		
Aaron Wangen			
(952) 487-9632
awangen@vitalimages.com	
vitalimages.com