Sound TruDR aCappella

Sound’s TruDR a’Cappella Right on Key
New Digital Radiography System Performs Unplugged, Literally

Carlsbad, CA – May 9, 2007 – Surgeons have something new to sing about. Sound’s new TruDR a’Cappella digital radiography system is a revolution in workflow for orthopedic surgery.

To ensure their new product was on key with orthopedic needs, Sound met with top surgeons during a 2005 Veterinary Orthopedic Society Meeting in Keystone, Colorado and simply asked, “What do you need in your DR system?” before making the product. The surgeons’ requests were incorporated into the new design.

Key Surgeon Issues

One of the biggest problems surgeons voiced at the conference was centered on time wasted waiting for postoperative radiographs. The surgeons explained that an anesthetized animal had to be moved to another room for digital radiographs and then back for bandaging, clearly a hiccup in effective workflow. In addition, the image quality of the current C-arm
systems was inadequate.

The surgeons asked Sound for a system that would allow them to shoot radiographs, quickly and simply on the surgery table, intraoperatively or postoperatively, with TruDR image quality. They said they needed a system that could move room to room with capabilities to shoot images outside of surgery. Sound listened and created a product based on these core needs.

a’Cappella is Born

a’Cappella is a self-contained, mobile TruDR digital radiography system with a built-in x-ray generator allowing images to be taken anywhere in a facility, even on an existing surgery table, quickly and efficiently. Designed for intraoperative and postoperative radiography, TruDR a’Cappella can be moved in between rooms and operating theaters without shutting down and when plugged into a network connection, all images taken are automatically uploaded to the PACS server. Also, images can be taken with the beam either horizontally or vertically allowing for tremendous flexibility based on the situational needs of the surgeon.

TruDR a’Cappella’s key benefits:

• Produces superior images while enabling the surgeon to perform more procedures daily
• Improves workflow and saves time by allowing surgeons to review images instantly during and after procedures
• Reduces strain on patients by allowing images to be taken anywhere, even on an existing surgery table
• Moves room to room on wheels without powering down
• Networks with VetPACS pre-op radiographs with VetPACS OrthoPlans

“Often companies create a product first then drive demand for it. At Sound, we believe products should be built incorporating the needs of the veterinarian,” said Greg Stoutenburgh, Director of Marketing for Sound. “Our eyes were opened at the Veterinary Orthopedic Society and it was part of our mission to develop TruDR a’Cappella around core veterinary needs. The surgeons spoke and we listened.”

To celebrate the new product, Sound hosted emerging singer Rebecca Helmer to perform at the Western Veterinary Conference last February in the Sound booth. Ms. Helmer sang unplugged and a'cappella naturally to stay in alignment with TruDR a’Cappella’s key promise of unplugged mobility.

Ken Bruecker, MS, DVM, diplomat ACVS, was one of the surgeons to first conceive the idea behind the a’Cappella concept. “The a’Cappella is fantastic. We never move the animal from the table after surgery. It stays there for radiographs and bandaging,” says Bruecker. “My techs love the system and say it saves them 30-45 minutes per orthopedic procedure. The image quality is outstanding, I save time, and can get great intraoperative images in addition to avoiding overtime for my surgical staff. What is not to love?”

About Sound Technologies

Based in Carlsbad, Sound is the most widely accepted and used digital system in the veterinary industry with more than 500 installs to date. Sound holds leadership positions in Ultrasound, Digital radiography, Education and Mobile Imaging. Founded in 1996, Sound Technologies is a division of VCA Antech (NASD:WOOF), and is dedicated to the field of veterinary imaging and education. VCA Antech also owns, operates and manages the largest network of freestanding veterinary hospitals and veterinary-exclusive clinical laboratories in the country and employs approximately 4,800 professionals throughout North America.
www.soundvet.com