GE Healthcare has been granted U.S. FDA clearance for its new mobile x-ray system called OEC Fluorostar, a digital C-arm designed to provide fluoroscopic images of the patient during diagnostic, surgical and interventional procedures. The announcement was made at the 2005 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in Washington, D.C., Feb. 23 - 27.
   
GE touts the system's compact design, which allows users to easily maneuver the imaging device in and out of operating room parameters. Functions can be accessed from either the left- or right-side touch screen interface, GE said. One level menu operations allow users to quickly move through menus by touching options on-screen, eliminating the need of keyboard or mouse.
   
According to GE, clinical applications may include cholangiography, endoscopy, urologic, orthopedic, neurologic, vascular, cardiac, stone localization, critical-care and emergency room procedures.