Healthcare Industry News: digital mammography
News Release - October 17, 2006
NEC LCD Technologies' New 21.3-Inch Monochrome LCD Module for Medical Use
Tokyo, Japan, (HSMN NewsFeed) Oct. 17, 2006 - NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.today announced the development of a new monochrome, 21.3-inch
(54-centimeters-diagonal) amorphous silicon thin film transistor (TFT)
liquid crystal display (LCD) module. Boasting the industry's highest
resolution in the category of monochrome LCDs for medical use, this LCD is
ideal for diagnosis of radiogram interpretation, in particular, digital
mammography images.
The new LCD module is being positioned as a top-end product in the
company's monochrome LCD module lineup and commercial production is
targeted for the middle of 2007. Its resolution of 2800 x 2100 pixels
(approx 6 mega-pixels) surpasses that of NEC LCD Technologies' high-end
module NL256204AM15-01/01A, which has a resolution of 2560 x 2048 pixels.
Furthermore, each pixel of this monochrome LCD module consists of three
sub-pixels, and a 10-bit TFT LCD source driver enables individual
sub-pixel control of 1024 grey-scales from input to output. This realizes
simultaneous display of 3070 grey-scales (equivalent to 11.5 bits) per
pixel, without the need for any interpolation technologies such as frame
rate control (FRC). As a result, the new LCD boasts extremely high
quality, making it appropriate for radiographic image diagnosis with
mammography, which requires a high density and high level of grey-scale
quality.
The main characteristics of the new model are as follows:
1. Industry's Highest Resolution
The new LCD boasts the industry's highest resolution in the category of
monochrome LCDs at 2800 x 2100 pixels (approx 6 mega-pixels) enabling 12%
greater display of screen information than NL256204AM15-01/01A.
2. High Level of Grey-Scale Quality
Each pixel of the LCD consists of three sub-pixels, and a 10-bit TFT LCD
source driver enables individual sub-pixel control of 1024 grey-scales
from input to output, realizing simultaneous display of 3070 grey-scales
(equivalent to 11.5 bits) per pixel, without the need for any
interpolation technologies, such as frame rate control (FRC).
3. High Luminance, High Contrast Performance and Wide Viewing Angle
Further refinement of NEC LCD Technologies' own unique super-advanced,
super-fine TFT (SA-SFT) technology combined with panel design optimization
achieve luminance of 1000cd/m2 and a contrast ratio of 1000:1, the highest
levels in the 5 mega-pixel and above monochrome class. In addition, the
new module boasts superior control of viewing angle dependence of
grey-scale and contrast performance, achieving steady screen quality even
in multi-screen environments.
4. Size Compatibility
Compatibility with NEC LCD Technologies' existing 2 and 3 mega-pixel
monochrome modules is achieved by an aspect ratio of 4:3 and its 21.3-inch
(54cm) diagonal size. This enables sharing of molding die with LCD
monitors that adopt NEC LCD Technologies' 2 and/or 3 mega-pixel LCDs,
contributing to shortened product development periods and a reduction in
development cost for LCD monitor manufacturers.
Recently, there has been a trend toward digitalization of medical
equipment such as electronic medical chart systems and picture archiving
and communication systems (PACS). Monitors used for interpretation of
radiogram diagnosis, which have replaced the film business, require far
higher picture quality than that of general IT monitors for accurate
screen reproduction of image information obtained from various modalities.
In particular, extremely high picture quality in resolution, grey-scale
performance, dynamic range and screen uniformity is required for
diagnostic imaging of digital mammography in order to accurately
distinguish microscopic calcification, an initial symptom of breast
cancer.
"Our new 21.3-inch LCD fills an important gap in the market for medical
monitors. Not only does it offer the industry's highest resolution
providing the best display environment for diagnostic imaging of digital
mammography, it also offers great benefits to monitor manufacturers in
terms of reduced development costs and shortened product development
cycles," said Masaaki Hiroshima, department manager in charge of product
planning and marketing, NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
NEC LCD Technologies will continue to pursue an even higher level of
picture quality to supply products unrivaled in the medical field. This
new product will be displayed at FPD International 2006, which is being
held in Pacifico Yokohama, Japan, from October 18-20.
Please see http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/ for more information.
About NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd.
NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd. is one of the world's leading providers of
high-quality, innovative, active-matrix liquid crystal display (AM-LCDs)
modules for the industrial and high-end monitor markets. The company
focuses its development on three core technology areas: ultra-wide viewing
angle SFT technology with high luminance and fast response; transflective
NLT technology; and adaptive design technology that meet a variety of
specialized needs for the flat panel display markets. NEC LCD
Technologies' worldwide support includes sales and marketing affiliates
NEC Electronics America, Inc. (www.am.necel.com) and NEC Electronics
Europe (www.eu.necel.com) that offer specialized display solutions to
their respective markets. NEC LCD Technologies employs approximately 1,200
people worldwide and offers one of the broadest product portfolios for the
medical, factory automation, test and measurement, entertainment, kiosk,
POS and ATM markets.
Source: NEC LCD Technologies
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