Tech highlight: Artis Q. Zen

Posted on May 2013

American Family Children’s Hospital strives to “provide the safest environment,” for children undergoing radiological procedures. With the unveiling of the new Hybrid Angio/Operating Room Suite, American Family Children’s Hospital will be one of the first in the nation—and the only one in Wisconsin—to offer ultra-low dose radiation.

Approved in February 2013 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Siemens Artis Q. Zen angiography system delivers the highest quality imaging that reduces pediatric x-ray dosage by 50 to 60 percent when compared with existing technology.

The Artis Q. Zen is capable of spotting tiny blood vessels in the brain and heart during interventional procedure, and will be an invaluable addition to the Hybrid Angio/ Operating Room Suite. The Suite will be best able to treat aneurysms, strokes, congenital heart defects, sclerosis, embolization and cancer or tumors requiring image-directed biopsies. According to Siemens, “Moving organs such as the lungs can be imaged in 3D in less than three seconds.”

“This is a remarkable advancement in pediatric cardiac and radiology care for our patients and families,” said Jeff Poltawsky, vice president at American Family Children’s Hospital. “As one of the first in the nation to offer this equipment, we anticipate serving as a model for other children’s hospitals while also participating in research studies demonstrating the safety and benefit of low-dose radiation.”