Heidelberg, Germany – August 24, 2012 – Heidelberg Engineering is presenting a new, non-contact ultra-widefield angiography module for the SPECTRALIS® and Heidelberg Retina Angiograph (HRA 2) product family. The first clinical images will be presented at the American Society of Retina Specialists meeting in Las Vegas and the joint EURETINA and ESCRS meeting in Milan.
The ultra-widefield angiography module consists of a dedicated lens and software. The lens attaches easily to the camera head and is interchangeable with the existing high resolution 30° and 55° wide-field lenses. The non-contact ultra-widefield lens makes peripheral imaging convenient for both patient and operator. The confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) technology and high quality refractive optics deliver high contrast, undistorted and evenly illuminated images out into the far periphery. High speed video angiography in ultra-widefield mode can be performed with both fluorescein and indocyanine green, individually or simultaneously.
The ultra-widefield module extends the range of applications and utility for existing Heidelberg Engineering cSLO devices while further improving patient workflow in practices and clinics. Ultra-widefield angiograms can be viewed with the proven Heidelberg Eye Explorer (HEYEX™) software used by all Heidelberg Engineering devices. This new Heidelberg module provides a competitive alternative to other stand-alone wide-field imaging devices, which can be costly and inconvenient.
“Wide-field imaging has become a crucial need in modern retina care”, said Prof. Giovanni Staurenghi, Chairman of the Eye Clinic at Sacco Hospital, Milan, Italy. He added that “Many common diseases are underestimated due to the lack of peripheral angiography. The use of wide-field fluorescein and indocyanine green angiography is possible today mainly with a contact lens. The recent development of a non-contact, ultra-widefield lens for the SPECTRALIS system adds a crucial tool to the armamentarium of retina specialists.” Asked about key clinical applications for the new ultra-widefield angiography module, Prof. Staurenghi pointed at the “importance of ultra-widefield imaging in diabetic retinopathy where the visualization of all the retinal changes such as ischemia or retinal new vessels now becomes possible. In patients with uveitis ultra-widefield indocyanine green angiography is of particular interest.”
“We are happy to offer existing and future customers the ultra-widefield angiography module as an extension to our flexible SPECTRALIS imaging platform”, said Dr. Kester Nahen, VP of Global Marketing and Business Development.
“Ophthalmologists worldwide have confirmed the need for peripheral angiography to better manage patients with retinal vascular, degenerative and inflammatory diseases” explained Dr. Joerg Pintaske, Product Manager at Heidelberg Engineering. He added that “like other innovative imaging technologies such as spectral-domain OCT and BluePeak™ blue laser autofluorescence, the importance of ultra-widefield angiography is likely to grow in the near future. The addition of non-contact ultra-widefield imaging to the SPECTRALIS extends the functionality of the multi-modality imaging platform in an easy-to-use, cost-saving and comprehensive fashion.”
Heidelberg Engineering plans to release the ultra-widefield angiography module for SPECTRALIS and HRA2 devices in 2013.
SPECTRALIS ultra-widefield angiography images (left: FA, right: ICGA). The new non-contact ultra-widefield module delivers high-contrast and evenly illuminated images out into the far periphery. (Images courtesy of G. Staurenghi, MD, Milan, Italy)
SPECTRALIS non-contact ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography images. Left: Diabetic retinopathy, right: Vasculitis. The moveable camera head of the SPECTRALIS further extends the reach out into the far periphery as seen on the right. (Images courtesy of F. Holz, MD, Bonn, Germany)