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Show Dennis Moser, x-ray technician at Garfield Memorial Hospital Hon new ultrasound New Diagostic Unit Gives Dimension To Hospital Care A new diagnostic machine, "Ultrasound MCC" has made its appearance at Garfield Memorial Hospital and is on its way to revolutionizing a segment of the health care industry. The ultrasound scanner, a $60,000 machine, was purchased for only $38,000 because the manufacturer, Technicare Ultrasound, Englewood, Colo., was looking for hospitals willing to' place the machine into use and prove its effectiveness. According to hospital technician Dennis Moser, the machine can literally "see inside" a patient and expresses the "seeing" in computer readouts that resemble actual pictures. "With this machine," said Moser, "we can determine the age and condition of a fetus by the size of the baby's cranium. Its age can also be determined by the size of its bones," he said, "and the position of the fetus is clearly shown and any abnormalities can be detected." diagnostic machine that will revoluntionize many current .4iooi procedures. Moser said that, with experience, an Operator will be able to spot almost every defect within the body cavity. He said the machine is invaluable in diagnostic work and one of the particular features that helps the physician understand the technician's workup is the machine's microphone and recorder. The technician "views" the patient with the autofocus probe, a hand-held trilobular (three-lobed) sensing and transmitting device that scans the interior of the body, sending back a signal to the unit's computer that in turn changes the computerized messages into legible "pictures." He "talks" his examination, noting any irregularities, ab normalties, or any and all pertinent information into the microphone. As he records his examination, he also notes for the tape the position of the patient so that the physician can tell from which angle the view was taken. The machine can "look" at a fetus, seeing its liver, lungs and diaphragm and can "watch" the liver, kidneys and heart function The Machine is so sensitive that transplant patients can be scanned and potential rejection of implants will be "seen" before too much damage can be done. "The applications of the machine are vitually endless," said Moser As the type of machine is further improved by the manufacturer. Moser expects that it will be able to "see" into all areas of the body. The present machine can check the stomach of both males and females and although the unit is primarily an obstetrical tool, it can be used for other specialties. Moser had the option earlier to purchase another less sophisticated machine for only $14,000. He hesitated, he said, "because I felt it was not the right machine." He said he held out until the Ultrasound MCC was available at a $20,000 savings and then, he said, "we went for it!" |