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NEWSLETTER NO. 1084

March 19, 2008
Dear Sirs,

Introduction of Ver.4.5 Upgrade of ProSound alpha 5

We are pleased to introduce the version 4.5 of ProSound alpha 5 as follows.

Serial numbers of Ver.4.5: M02766 and higher.

A. Information to be modified:

1. Additional connectable probes;

UST-52105 can be connected on the system. It is connectable on the
ProSound alpha 10 and alpha 7 for the adult cardiac application.
UST-52119S can be also connected on the system. It is a transesophageal
probe for pediatric patients.

2. Addition of a connector for USB memory instead of MO Drive;

The vendor of MO drive discontinued the
production. Therefore, the connector of
USB memory is prepared. It is able to
store not only image data but also system
preset data.
Currently in the market, it is possible to
get the USB memory larger than 2GB,
however the access speed to the memory
will become slow when the size of memory
is larger than 2GB.
Aloka does not check the performance of all kinds of USB memories in the
market, therefore ALOKA does not guarantee for connectability of any USB
memories. Please refer to the attached sheet for the details.

3. Compatible with DVD-RAM drive

It is able to connect the DDU-200EXP (or DDU-200USA) which is
compatible with DVD-RAM.
This DVD-RAM drive will be used as the same as MO disk or FD disk.
Please refer to the attached sheet for details.

4. Improvement of the RT-3D function;

z It is possible to store the 3D volume data on the local HD, and make a
reconstructed image from the stored data on the local HD.
z It is possible to export the 3D volume data in the DICOM format.
z It is possible to export the 3D moving image data in the AVI format.
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z 3D image reconstruction software called “3D ViewEZ” is provided.

The following optional kits are required to activate this RT-3D function:
z EU-9112 : RT-3D analysis unit
z PM-EU-9112-1C : RT-3D kits(1)
z PM-EU-9112-2 : RT-3D kits(2)
z PM-A5-S451EXP/USA9112 : RT-3D software

5. The EFV function is added.

This is the function to expand the field of view as the high grade products.

The following optional kits are required to activate this EFV function:
z SOP-ALPHA5-22 : EFV software
z EU-9112 : RT-3D analysis unit
z PM-EU-9112-1C : RT-3D kits (1)
z PM-EU-9112-2 : RT-3D kits (2)
z PM-A5-S451EXP/USA9112 : RT-3D software
(Notes)
Basically, EU-9112, PM-EU-9112-1C, PM-EU-9112-2 and
PM-A5-S451EXP/USA9112 are the components for the RT-3D function on
the system. However, they are necessary for the EFV function on the
system also, because the basic performance of the system should be
increased.

6. Improvement of the operation;

The “Biplane Select” function is added.

The 1.88MHz transmission frequency is added at the UST-52105 for TCD

application.

The transmission voltage is changed at UST-567.

DICOM printer “HORIZON” produced by “CODONICS” is compatible..

B. Upgrade Kits
It is possible to upgrade the system to Ver.4.5 when the original system
which is higher than Ver. 4.0 of ProSound alpha 5SV. It is necessary to
prepare different upgrade kits depending on the original system configuration
as follows.
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[ RT-3D not integrated ]

Version of Integrated S/N Necessary kits for
system CPU board version up
Ver.4.0 EP525200 M01001 to M01030, PM-ALPHA5-11
M01032 to M01034, PM-ALPHA5-15
M01041 to M01048, PM-A5-S451EXP/USA-H*
M01069 to M01096
Ver.4.1 to 4.3 EP525200 M01031, PM-ALPHA5-15
M01035 to M01040, PM-A5-S451EXP/USA-H*
M01049 to M01068,
M01097 to M02349
EP531900 M02350 to M02765 PM-A5-S451EXP/USA

*The stored image in the ProSound alpha 5 will be lost when the upgrade
is made by PM-A5-S451EXP/USA-H because the HDD is exchanged.

[ RT-3D integrated ]
Version of Integrated S/N Necessary kits for version
system CPU board up
Ver.4.0 EP525600BB - PM-ALPHA5-11
PM-EU-9112-1C
PM-A5-S451EXP/USA
EP525600CC - PM-ALPHA5-11
PM-A5-S451EXP/USA
Ver.4.1 to 4.3 EP525600BB - PM-EU-9112-1C
PM-A5-S451EXP/USA
EP525600CC - PM-A5-S451EXP/USA

For more details of the improvements, please contact the person in charge of your
country.

Yours very truly,

ALOKA CO., LTD.

Y. Kiyomura
General Manager
International Marketing and Sales Dept.

YK/Kk/ims
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More detailed information on ProSound alpha 5 Ver.4.5

1. Notes for USB memory

z It is possible to connect and disconnect USB memory any time during examination
without the access lamp lit. When you take out the USB memory during access
period which should be observed by access lamp on the USB, the data on the
memory could be broken. Therefore, please careful for the access of memory.
z It is reported the percentage of error occurs generally 2 to 3% on the USB memory
in the market. Therefore, we cannot guarantee all USB memories in the market. In
case of using the USB memory on the system at first time, please check the
operation on the system in advance.
z Though USB memory larger than 2GB can be used on the system, we recommend
to use 2GB USB memory larger than or USB memory lower than 2GB memory
because of slower access speed to the memory.
z It is necessary to clear the following specifications to be used on the system:
¾ Corresponding to mass storage class
¾ No security function like as cryptographic function, certification function and so
on is integrated.
¾ No partition is made.
¾ Having an access lamp on it.
z Do not use the USB hub, extension cable and strap for possible careless
disconnection.
z Do not use the USB HDD and the flash memory which is recognized as HDD.

(Store function)
The names on the following table are added or changed corresponding to USB memory.

Before After Notes

Store on MO(S) Store on Media 1(S) Change the name
Store on MO(JPG) Store on Media 1(JPG) Change the name
Store on MO(M) Store on Media 1(M) Change the name
ACQUIRE->Store(MO) ACQUIRE->Store(M1) Change the name
- Store on Media 2 (S) Newly added
- Store on Media 2 (JPG) Newly added
Store on Media 2 (M) Newly added
- ACQUIRE->Store(M2) Newly added

¾ The VCM unit EU-9083 or EU-9111 is necessary to store the multi frame images.
¾ The USB memory is recognized as “Media 1” for ProSound alpha 5 original Ver.4.5.
The “Media 2” will not be used.
¾ In case the system has the MO drive unit, MOU-a5, and then upgraded to ver.4.5,
MO is assigned to “Media 1” and USB is assigned to “Media 2”.

2. Optional DVD-RAM
The disk drive unit called DDU-200EXP (or DDU-200USA) is possible to use CD-R like
DDU-100EXP (or DDU-100USA), and then it can use DVD-RAM to write at any time like
MO disk or FD disk. Please refer to the news letter NL1083 to introduce the
DDU-200EXP (or DDU-200USA).
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(Mounting method on the system)

Please use the dual lock fastener to fix the DDU-200EXP (or DDU-200USA) on the top of
the system.

(Store function)
The store function for DVD-RAM is added.
Title Function
Store on DVD(S) Store the single image on the DVD-RAM using DICOM
Format
Store on DVD(JPG) Store the single image on the DVD-RAM using JPEG format

Store on DVD(M) Store the multi frame images on the DVD-RAM using
DICOM format

¾ The VCM unit EU-9083 or EU-9111 is necessary to store the multi frame images.

(Notes)
It takes a long time to access the recorded data on the DVD-RAM of ProSound alpha
5SV through the review window. It may be related to the format type for DVD-RAM
and the fragmentation of DICOM DIR. It is possible to avoid it by the following
procedure.
When the “FAT32” format is used on the DVD-RAM disk, it sometimes makes a trouble
to match the viewer software to read the data. In such case, please try to use the
“UDF 1.5” format disk to read/write the data.

1) Formatting DVD-RAM using FAT32:

1. Before starting to use the DVD-RAM disk, make a click of new icon
which is located the right bottom on the review screen. Following window
is shown on the screen.

2. Please select the “FAT32” at Format Type and make a mark on “Quick
format” at Option, and then press the “Start” switch on the window.
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3. Please select “Yes” at the following displayed window. It will start the
formatting process for the DVD-RAM disk. It will take about few seconds.

Notes)
a. The disks in the market are usually formatted in UDF format.
b. The disks in format FAT32 may not be compatible with other vendors’
viewer. In this case we recommend to use UDF format or transfer the
data to a disk in UDF format on PC.

2) Despite the above procedures, the access time to read the stored images on
DVD-RAM will increase gradually. It seems that the access time doesn’t depend
on a type of the image, still or motion image, but it depends on the number of
images stored. For the frequent access of reading, we recommend to use a new
disk.

3) Use the 5 times high speed media:

It will improve writing/reading speed using 5 times high speed media, though the price
of the media is high.

3. Improvement of the RT-3D function

3-1. Improvement of store for 3D image
It is possible to store the data on the Local HD not only still 3D image but also
the original volume data set for the 3D images.

3-1-1. Storing the 3D volume data set on the Local HD

The following function is added to store the 3D volume data to the Local HD
using ALOKA original data format.
The data acquisition time can be selected from 1 sec to 8 sec.
Name Function
Store on HDD(3D) Store the 3D volume data on the HDD.
This function is assigned to the “F7” on the Keyboard panel at the factory default.
It is possible to store the maximum 999 3D volume data files on the HDD
beside still image files. However, when the volume of 3D volume data set becomes
quite large, it is not possible to store the data maximum 999.
Note) The function to store the 3D volume data directly to the external media or
the server through the network is not supported.

3-1-2. Storing the 3D movie data

The following function is added to store the 3D movie data to the external media
using AVI file format. The data acquisition time will be selected from 1 sec to 8 sec.
Name Function
Store on CD-R Buffer(A) Store the 3D movie data using AVI format on
CD-R Buffer
Store on Media 1(AVI) Store the 3D movie data using AVI format on Media 1
Store on Media 2(AVI) Store the 3D movie data using AVI format on Media 2
Store on DVD(AVI) Store the 3D movie data using AVI format on DVD
The “Store on Media 1(AVI)” is assigned to the “F8” on the Keyboard panel and
store “Store on CD-R Buffer(AVI)” is assigned at the “F9” at the factory default.
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It is not possible to review the 3D movie data on the system when it is stored.
Note) The function to store the 3D movie data to the HDD is not supported.

3-2. The 3D review function is added.

The function is added to review the thumbnail only for 3D volume data stored
on the HDD.

The “User2” on the Control panel is assigned for the “3D Review” function at
the factory default.

Note) It is not possible to display the 3D review screen directly from RT-3D
mode. Please select the “User2” to show the 3D review screen after going
out from the RT-3D mode by pressing “3D” switch again.
It is able to operate the following function on the 3D review screen.

3-2-1. 3D reconstruction of stored volume data on HDD

It has a function to reconstruct the 3D image from stored 3D volume data on the
HDD. It is possible to operate the reconstructed 3D image for rotation and
movement of the image, cross sectional 3D display and 3D image process like
real-time 3D images. It has the “NEXT(3D)” function to turn over the 3D image
when the selected 3D volume data are more than two files. This function is
assigned to the “F6” on the Keyboard panel at the factory default.

3-2-2. 3D volume data storage to the external media using DICOM format
It is able to store the 3D volume data to the external media like DVD and
USB memory using DICOM format.
Note 1) It is not able to reconstruct the 3D volume data on the ProSound alpha
5SV when the data are stored at DICOM format on the external media.
Note 2) It is not possible to show the image correctly for 3D volume data which
are stored on the external media when there are selected on the review
screen.
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DICOM formatted 3D
volume data set

Note 3) Please do not use the data made by ProSound alpha 5SV using
DICOM formatted 3D volume data set to reconstruct the 3D image on the
following systems: ProSound alpha 10 (lower than Version 6.0) and
ProSound alpha 7 (lower than Version 1.1). The system will be blocked
because of conflict of the software level.

3-2-3. 3D volume data transfer through the network using DICOM format
It is able to transfer the 3D volume data to the server on the network using DICOM
format.

(Reference information)
Some functions related the RT-3D application are assigned as the following F(function)
switches on the keyboard.

F6：Next(3D) F8：Store on Media1(AVI)

F7：Store on HDD(3D) F9：Store on CD-R Buffer(A)

User2：3D Review
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3-3. 3D image reconstruction software “3DViewEZ” on the PC

The 3D image viewer software “3DViewEZ” can be stored with the data
file for the external media.

z Operation environment
OS: Windows XP or Windows Vista
CPU: Higher than 3GHz
Memory: more than 1GB
Display: 1024 x 768 (XGA)
Drive: CD-ROM or DVD-RAM, USB port, MO so on
User class: Higher than Power Users
z The “3DViewEZ” is booted up from the media on which the data is stored. It is
not necessary to install the software on the HDD on PC.
z It is possible to use the RT-3D image reconstruction except measurement on
the PC.
z It is possible to read all 3D volume data set which is collected by Aloka
Ultrasound system.
z Please refer to the “3DViewEZ” operation manual for the detail information.
The operation manual will be provided later on.
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(Outline of RT-3D improvement)

ProSound alpha 5SV

US screen RT-3D mode
Store on Media1(AVI)
RT-3D ON Store on DVD(AVI) so on
3D movie data
RT-3D OFF (AVI format)

CD-R, DVD-RAM,
3D Review ON USB memory
（User2switch）

3D Review OFF
（User2switch） 3D review screen

Send Volume data

3D volume data
(DICOM format)

Network
(DICOM server)

Ｓtore on Disk
Media1,DVD so on

3D volume data
3D reconstruction
(DICOM format)
3D View EZ

CD-R, DVD-RAM,
USB memory
PC in the market
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4. The EFV function is added

The EFV (Extended Field of View) function is added to acquire wide area of interest
moving the probe on the estimated line. (Option)
This function is assigned to the “F10” on the keyboard panel at the factory default.

4-1. Necessary options

The following items are necessary for the EFV function.
z EFV software: SOP-ALPHA5-22
z RT-3D analysis unit: EU-9112
z RT-3D correspond prepare kit :
PM-EU-9112-1C, PM-EU-9112-2
z RT-3D software: PM-A5-S451EXP9112 (for export countries)
PM-A5-S451USA9112 (for USA)

(Notes)
Basically, EU-9112, PM-EU-9112-1C, PM-EU-9112-2 and
PM-A5-S451EXP/USA9112 are the components for the RT-3D function on the
system. However, they are necessary for the EFV function on the system also,
because the basic performance of the system should be increased.

4-2. Applicable probes

The following listed probes are working for EFV:
UST-5410, UST-5410H, UST-9126, UST-9115-5

4-3. Notes
z The tracking ability will be related to the range of depth. Therefore, when this
function is used with large depth range like 17cm with the standard convex
probe, please move the probe slowly for making a good image.
The image becomes darker after freezing.
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5. Improvement of the operation

5-1. The Biplane Select function is added.
It was necessary to take the following two steps to change the active image on 2B
display mode using UST-672-5/7.5 and UST-677P:
1. Select one of the images on “2B” display mode by using “Select” switch.
2. Select the element of probe by using “Probe” switch or “Element select” switch.
“Biplane Select” function makes these two actions at one time.

6. Change of Presets
1. Store SW: Changed “Store on MO(S)” to “Store on HDD(S)”
It is for discontinued product of MO disk drive.
(Intended applications)
All applications
2. User2 SW: Changed to the “3D Review”
It is to improve the handling of function.
(Intended applications)
OBST 3D, OBST-TV 3D
3. The following items are added at the menu of “Other2”
Store on HDD(S), Store on HDD(3D), Store on Media1(S), Store on Media1(JPG)
and Store on Media1(AVI)
It is not possible to store from the “MENU” switch when it is in the 3D condition.
(Intended applications)
OBST 3D, OBST-TV 3D
4. The “EFV Rotate” function is assigned to the menu of “Freeze2”
(Intended applications)
All applications except the cardiac related applications.
It is not displayed at the standard configuration.
5. The RT-3D related functions are assigned to the F6 to F9 at the Initialization of
Custom/Foot/Function SW (Intended applications) All applications
A
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The “F10” becomes the switch to enter the EFV mode when the EFV option is
integrated.

Change of Preset screen:

1. Common2
Added the “Store on ***(3D)”

Selection:
ｄata: Only 3D volume data is stored on the
external media.
data+3D Viewer: 3D volume data is stored with the software
“3DViewEZ” on the external media.

2. RT-3D Mode
Added the “Store Time(3D)”

The acquisition time is set for 3D

volume data : 1 to 8sec (1 sec step)
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3. Print Select
Print Select page becomes 3 pages because the functions are increased to set
On “Archive Group”.

4. Focus
The focus setting for EFV function is added.

End of documents