GE Healthcare received FDA approval for AngioViz software that uses Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) to produce an image of vascular flow within the brain or other parts of the body. Previously, DSA images provided an anatomical view of the vasculature and a radiologist had to flip through a series of them to visualize blood flow.  AngioViz provides a one shot representation that encompasses the dynamic nature of the region’s vascular flow.

AngioViz provides a new visualization of the vascular flow seen in DSA imaging utilizing a technique called parametric imaging. AngioViz looks at each pixel in the image series and determines two things—the peak value of opacification caused by the contrast, and the time it takes for that pixel to reach peak opacification. These two parameters can be displayed as separate images or combined into a single color-coded image that represents parameters of vascular flow. This enables doctors to perceive parameters of flow quickly to support decision-making. In addition, AngioViz allows easy comparison of parametric images from different DSA acquisitions, such as pre- and post-treatment images. This can help physicians understand the impact on flow dynamics of various interventional treatments.AngioViz bold flow visualization has the potential to be applied to a variety of clinical situations

• Help see where a blocked artery diminishes blood flow in the brain or other tissue

• Identify the timing and amount of blood flow in abnormal vessel anatomy

• Observe flow in abnormal tissue before and after treatment to support interventional oncology treatment

• Visualize peripheral artery blood flow before and after balloon angioplasty and stenting

http://medgadget.com/2011/06/ges-angioviz-vascular-flow-analysis-software-fda-okd.html