EmpowerCTA®
A power injector system with multiple enhancements for maximum benefit
The EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System offers a protocol option that delivers venous-side iodinated x-ray contrast with saline chase capabilities for use in state-of-the-art CT imaging. Designed to go with the flow of your practice, EmpowerCTA® helps optimize your imaging capabilities and streamline your workflow.
The EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System offers a protocol option that delivers venous-side iodinated x-ray contrast with saline chase capabilities for use in state-of-the-art CT imaging. Designed to go with the flow of your practice, EmpowerCTA® helps optimize your imaging capabilities and streamline your workflow. EmpowerCTA® also offers a variety of system enhancements designed to improve patient safety, promote informed decision-making, maximize CT angiography benefits, and simplify operations:
- Patented EDA™ Extravasation Detection Accessory* helps detect extravasations
- Preprogrammed multidetector CT (MDCT) reference protocols† for major brands and models of scanners
- IRiSCT® Data Networking Application generates reports to help manage budgets, control costs, and improve workflow efficiencies
- EPP™ Empower Phasing Protocol helps you achieve optimal image quality for cardiac CT studies
- EmpowerSync® synchronizes timing between the EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System and the CT scanner, automatically initiating scanning based on contrast and injection parameters.
EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System features: innovation inspired by you.
EmpowerCTA® is a fully integrated power injector system designed with extensive input from radiology technologists.
EmpowerCTA® provides the features and enhancements that you told us you needed for optimal performance in the CT suite.
OPTIMIZING IMAGING
Triphasic EPP™ Empower Phasing Protocol* helps ensure high-quality images
ADVANCING SAFETY
- Patented EDA™ extravasation detection accessory monitors for and assists in the detection of contrast extravasations during injection
- Exclusive tilt lockout helps minimize the risk of air embolism
- Remote control pause feature
- GFR calculator to assist in determining whether a patient’s renal function is sufficient for the administration of contrast media
STREAMLINING WORKFLOW
- Anticipatory automation optimizes clinical workflow:
- Automatic initialization option provides an efficient way to prepare syringes for filling
- Auto–Fill feature automates fill volume based on selected protocol
- With the Auto Purge function enabled, air is automatically purged from the syringe
- Automatic initialization option provides an efficient way to prepare syringes for filling
- Access to MDCT protocols* segmented by major brands and models of scanners
- Auto Save feature allows you to integrate your own protocols
- Pendant control allows you to start and control the injection at the injector
- Dual pressure displays at injector head and remote for easy monitoring
- Compact, rotating injector head allows convenient positioning on either side of the scanner
- Voice prompts provide operational status and alerts
- Flexible mounting options to meet your space requirements:
- Ceiling mount
- Pedestal
- Wall mount
- Ceiling mount
- Enhanced remote with computing power to help keep you on top of the situation.
- The IRiSCT® Information Reporting System software module captures all the injection-related information produced by your EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System, recording contrast, injection and EDA utilization, as well as patient ID, creatinine and GFR values
- IRiSCT® remote viewer has an easy-to-read touch screen display with:
- Graphic monitoring
- Clear views regardless of angle or lighting situation
- On-screen prompts for the next step in the injection process
- Graphic monitoring
INFORMING DECISIONS
The IRiSCT® Data Networking Application displays, captures, and stores data from all the Empower injector systems networked within your facility, providing the information you need to run your department efficiently.
Case Study 1
The following case provides a real-world example of the value of a triphasic injection protocol using EmpowerCTA for a patient with suspected arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD).
Triphasic coronary CTA injection protocol*: optimal cardiac enhancement for functional assessment
Case courtesy of Suhny Abbara, MD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School, Director, Cardiovascular Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Director of Education, Cardiac MR/PET/CT Program
These are representative images from referenced studies; individual results may vary.
This case illustrates optimal enhancement of the left cardiac chambers and the right atrium and ventricles utilizing a triphasic injection protocol for functional assessment. A nonionic contrast agent was injected into this patient suspected of having ARVD using the EmpowerCTA Contrast Injection System.
The rationale for the injection protocol, outlined in this table, is to have optimal arterial opacification and instead of a washed-out heart, to have contrast within the right heart. The reduced rate of the second phase allows mixing of the slower injected contrast with a relatively larger amount of nonenhanced venous blood return from the head and the contralateral upper extremity, thus avoiding excessive mixing artifact in the right heart.
Injection Protocol*: Triphasic Injection
| Phase | Flow Rate | Volume | Time |
| Test bolus | 5 mL/sec | 20 mL | 4 sec |
| Contrast Phase 1 | 2 mL/sec | 60 mL | 12 sec |
| Contrast Phase 2 | 5 mL/sec | 20 mL | 10 sec |
| Saline Phase 3 | 5 mL/sec | 20 mL | 4 sec |
This case illustrates optimal enhancement of the left cardiac chambers and the right atrium and ventricles. Functional images allowed for assessment of right ventricular function and ejection fraction.
Coronary CTA acquired with triphasic injection protocol demonstrates good opacification of the left and right ventricles and both atria with no significant mixing artifact in the right heart.
The color illustrations demonstrate frames from the CT right ventriculagram which allow appreciation of fine anatomic detail.
*This phasing protocol was developed by an independent physician and is not intended as medical advice. Bracco shall not be responsible for any physicians' reliance on these or any other protocols.
Case Study 2
Results with the EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System and Toshiba 320 slice CT scanner for cardiac and vascular CT examinations at Brigham and Women's Hospital
Case studies courtesy of Orla Buckley MD, Andetta Hunsaker MD and Frank Rybicki MD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Applied Imaging Science Laboratory, Department of Radiology
These are representative images from referenced studies; individual results may vary.
For the past 5 years, Brigham and Women's, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, has incorporated the EmpowerCTA contrast injection system for cardiac and vascular CT exams. This selection of cases demonstrates the high-quality imaging obtained with this injection system and media.
Case 1: Coronary CT angiography
A 42-year-old nonsmoking marathon runner was referred for coronary CT angiography after an exercise stress test demonstrated S-T segment depression in the inferolateral leads. A gated CT evaluation was performed following 0.4 mg sublingual nitroglycerin and 5 mg intravenous metropolol, followed by intravenous injection of nonionic contrast media. Optimal arterial opacification was achieved by triggering off the descending thoracic aorta with a threshold Hounsfield unit (HU) set at 180.
These multiplanar reformatted images show a short segment of noncalcified plaque, indicative of severe stenosis, in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery––– a finding that was confirmed by conventional coronary angiography.
Case 2: CT pulmonary angiography
A 74-year-old man with post-hemorrhagic stroke developed pleuritic chest pain and dyspnea during rehabilitation. Although there was a high level of clinical concern for pulmonary embolism, anticoagulation was considered high risk in light of the patient's recent history.
Contrast-enhanced CT pulmonary angiography was performed using 75 mL of nonionic contrast media injected at an infusion rate of 4 mL/second via the EmpowerCTA Contrast Injection System. Bolus tracking was used, triggering off the pulmonary artery with a threshold Hounsfield unit set at 180.
The CT was negative for pulmonary embolism. No anticoagulation was required.
Case 3: Evaluation of coronary bypass graft using wide area detector CT angiography
A 78-year-old man developed recurrent chest pain on exertion following multi-vessel coronary artery bypass grafting. CT angiography was performed with intravenous injection of 80 mL nonionic contrast media at 6 cc per second via the EmpowerCTA Contrast Injection System.
Bypass graft stenosis at the insertion of the saphenous vein graft to the right coronary artery was confirmed angiographically. Graft stenosis is visible near the right coronary artery-touchdown, as seen in this 3-D volume rendering of the aortic root, bypass grafts, and left ventricular wall and cavity.
Case 4: Renal perfusion using wide-area detector CT
It is important to rule out renal perfusion defects in potential renal donors. Utilizing 100 mL of nonionic contrast media, infused at a rate of 3 mL per second via the EmpowerCTA contrast injection system, a renal perfusion study of a potential donor was performed.
This 3-D volume-rendered image showing one phase of the study demonstrates no perfusion defects.
Case Study 3
Development of a CTA protocol* that provides high-quality coronary images while ensuring patient safety: Experience with the EmpowerCTA Contrast Injection System at the El Paso Heart Center
Case study courtesy of Felipe Perez, RT(R) (CT) ARRT, BHA, MBA, Director of Clinical and Diagnostic Services, El Paso Heart Center, El Paso, TX
These are representative images from referenced studies; individual results may vary.
The El Paso Heart Center has been using EmpowerCTA since 2005, performing approximately 25,000 procedures with the system. Coronary procedures account for about 65% of the workload. Normal protocol includes completing a CTA of the coronary arteries and obtaining a pulmonary embolism chest study. Initially, the protocol was aligned with standard practice of 5 mL/sec, for a total contrast volume of 100 mL. A gated coronary study immediately followed by a scan of the entire chest was done, with a desired result of obtaining contrast in the left heart and saline in the right heart. With the speed inherent in a 64-row detector scanner, the desired Hounsfield number was detected and the scan begun in rapid order.
In order to obtain the desired results, the amount of contrast was reduced to 60 mL while keeping the saline injection unchanged. The images were excellent for the coronary CTA but evaluating for pulmonary embolism remained difficult because there was very little residual contrast in the pulmonary arteries.
The next step was to establish a second phase of contrast before the saline. The injection time was extended by reducing the second contrast phase flow rate to 3 mL per second and adding 5 additional mL. To utilize the total contrast injection time, breathing instructions were given as the patient was moved into the acquisition start point. Automated initiation of the scan based on the desired Hounsfield was eliminated and performed manually. The level of attenuation during low dose dynamic scan was observed and the scan triggered as it began to quickly increase to the desired Hounsfield.
| Phase | Flow Rate | Volume | Time |
| *LOCM 300 | 5.0 mL/sec | 50 mL | 10 seconds |
| *LOCM 300 | 3.0 mL/sec | 15 mL | 5 seconds |
| Saline | 5.0 mL/sec | 40 mL | 8 seconds |
This protocol provided excellent contrast enhancement in the coronary and pulmonary arteries, as seen in this whole chest image.
During the protocol development, 3 contrast extravasations occurred. Each time, the EDA extravasation detection technology† in the EmpowerCTA stopped the injection.
The EDA feature was particularly critical because some extravasations occurred later in the injection process. If a technologist is monitoring real-time images and there is contrast in the superior vena cava, an extravasation may be overlooked. By the time the contrast appears less bright, or the patient complains of symptoms, it is too late. The EDA extravasation detection technology* helped reduce this risk.
*This phasing protocol was developed by an independent physician and is not intended as medical advice. Bracco shall not be responsible for any physicians' reliance on these or any other protocols.
DUKE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER'S EXPERIENCE WITH EDA*
Duke University Medical Center reviewed data collected over a 15 month period using the EmpowerCTA® Contrast Injection System for radiology, emergency, and outpatient care services. The review concluded that the extravasation detection capabilities of the system provide important benefits for both patients and staff, including:
- Minimizing contrast media (vesicant) extravasation and resulting skin damage
- Maximizing the CT staff's ability to complete important diagnostic imaging procedures
- Quickly ruling out the presence of an extravasation so department workflow can continue without interruption
A Retrospective Review: Duke University Medical Center's Experience With the Extravasation Detection Accessory (EDA) Technology by Donna Parker, RT, co-director, Duke CT Institute.
Medical Center of the Rockies, Jack Retzlaff:
"In terms of cost, patient safety, and productivity, it’s a great win for the system."
Jack Retzlaff - Director of Radiology Services
The Medical Center of the Rockies
"Empower CTA…it’s everything we hoped it would be…"
Liz Fegley - Director, Radiology, Medical Imaging
Poudre Valley Health System
"There was great follow-through with every promise… we appreciate having BRACCO on our team…"
Kari Harkin - Team Leader, CT
Poudre Valley Health System
"It was much easier to learn than we thought it would be… now that we have the EmpowerCTA, we can’t imagine working any other way…"
Melody Pierson - Manager, Radiology
Poudre Valley Health System
"We now have a method of accurately and easily tracking our data …"
Thomas R. Dunphy - Radiologist
Poudre Valley Health System
"My first priority is patient safety, second is quality… BRACCO has really stepped up and offered us a complete solution…"
How to use it
See how you and your CT suite can Be Empowered with one of the most technologically advanced contrast power injectors available: EmpowerCTA®.
Through a step-by-step demonstration, you will understand why technologists and radiologists, worldwide, are talking about this uniquely adept and highly rated system and how it has streamlined their workflow, simplified their data management, optimized image quality, and increased their productivity. With unique features such as the Extravasation Detection Accessory and multiple additional built - in safety and time - saving components, EmpowerCTA® addresses all of the today’s needs in the CT suite. View each section in its entirety or independently to see how every aspect of the efficient and user-friendly EmpowerCTA® advances safety, enhances ease of use, and increases throughput. EmpowerCTA® is rated among the highest in the industry in safety which starts before a procedure even begins.
This video is for demonstration purposes only. These videos should not be used as a substitute for the owner’s manual. Please refer to the EmpowerCTA® manual for complete operating instructions.
View a complete demo of the EmpowerCTA® power injector.
All Sections
Complete Demo
Section 1
Injector Setup
Section 2
Injector Cycle
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Section 3
Performance
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Section 4
Safety
Section 5
Streamlined - Workflow
Section 6
Optimal Image Quality
Section 7
Data Capture Connectivity
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DISCLAIMER
Not all products are available in all global markets. Please refer to your local distributor or agent.
EmpowerCTA is designed for the administration of nonionic and ionic compounds and flushing media in conjunction with computed tomography (CT) scanning of the body. The EDA is intended to detect extravasations of ionic and nonionic contrast media during powered CT contrast injections.
EmpowerCTA and IRiSct are registered trademarks of Bracco Injeneering SA.
EDA is a trademark of Bracco Injeneering SA, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Not all products available in all global markets.
Bracco Injeneering SA reserves the right to modify the specifications and features described herein, or discontinue manufacture of the product described at any time without prior notice or obligation.
Please contact your authorized Bracco Injeneering SA representative for the most updated information.