Merge Healthcare has released its Merge PET/CT Workstation software. The vendor-neutral workstation is designed to accommodate standard methods used by radiologists to read images obtained by PET and CT.

"With PET/CT, healthcare specialists can view physiological activity in conjunction with anatomical location," said Chrysti Bowers, RTRM, director of clinical solutions, Merge Healthcare.  "Yet this clinical advantage can be lessened by the challenges posed by fusing the large PET and CT data sets. PET/CT practitioners from radiology, nuclear medicine and oncology must feel confident that technology will optimize clinical effectiveness while also maximizing workflow efficiency.  Our new Merge PET/CT Workstation delivers on both fronts."
   
Merge PET/CT has incorporated reading tools such as 3D volume rendering and hot-spot scout, and comprehensive reporting tools such as SUV (Standard Uptake Value) calculations and configurable colormaps. Merge has endeavored to boost workflow with layouts that mimic PACS layouts split across dual monitors in panoramic mode. This allows simultaneous review of CT, PET corrected, PET uncorrected, PET/CT fused and MIP images. Rigid registration between images allows simultaneous navigation through all data sets.