RAPIDSTUDY™ DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY SYSTEM FROM EKLIN FEATURED IN NEW ELEPHANT CARE TEXT

Definitive Textbook Covers Solutions for Obtaining Quality Diagnostic Radiographs of World’s Largest Land Mammal

Santa Clara, Calif. – December 28, 2006 – Obtaining quality diagnostic radiographic images of an elephant, the world’s largest land-living mammal, has challenged pachyderm healthcare professionals for years due to the massive size of the animals. In the recently published Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants textbook from Blackwell Publishing, veterinarians affiliated with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Center and Elephant Care International explore overcoming these challenges with the RapidStudy™ digital radiography (DR) system from Eklin Medical Systems. Working in conjunction with the San Diego Wildlife Park, the authors conclude that the DR system typically yields superior images compared to conventional systems while resulting in significant time savings when compared to both analogue and computed radiography (CR) units.

"Foot and limb disorders are one of the leading ailments of captive elephants," said Laurie Gage, DVM, veterinarian for USDA (US Department of Agriculture) Animal Care and author of the radiology section of the text. "It is only recently that newer technology has allowed more detailed radiographic evaluation of elephants, especially in the difficult-to-image limbs. Using Eklin’s DR system, veterinarians are able to see exquisite details of the joints, stifles and other anatomy of the animal’s extremities. The time savings the system provides is very important as well."

Just as digital cameras have made photography easier and more efficient by eliminating film, the Eklin RapidStudy™ DR system provides the veterinarian with a radiographic image that can be viewed immediately on a high-resolution monitor without the need for film development. The extremely forgiving exposure latitude of the Eklin DR sensor panels eliminates technique associated retakes and allows even less experienced office staff to produce high quality diagnostic images on the first try. Eklin’s instant image also means that when the patient is removed from the table the operator is confident that the study is completed.

The Eklin DR system also offers sophisticated image processing tools, giving the veterinarian much greater depth of information that can be enlarged or manipulated for far better detail. Eklin offers either a 9"x11"sensor panel or the industry’s only full-size 14"x17" sensor panel. Images can be stored and archived for future evaluation using the Eklin PACS which is completely conformant to DICOM 3.0 standards developed in the human market over the past 10 years. The DICOM standards are used by hospitals and clinics around the world.

"We have worked with various zoos and wildlife sanctuaries to optimize radiographic images with our RapidStudy system," said Gary R. Cantu, president and CEO of Eklin. "A growing number of the facilities are now employing this state-of-the-art technology and realizing the many benefits of DR. Imagine how this system, which provides excellent images of such a large animal as an elephant, performs on smaller species like horses, dogs, cats, birds and reptiles. We believe we are helping to change the practice of veterinary medicine at an increasingly rapid rate."

Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants, published in August 2006, was written by Murray E. Fowler, DVM, and Susan K. Mikota, DVM. Dr. Fowler is the editor and author of several texts and publications. He is currently professor emeritus of Zoological Medicine, University of California-Davis and a part-time veterinarian for Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey’s Circus. Dr. Mikota is the co-founder of Elephant Care International and the director of Veterinary Programs and Research. She has also written numerous articles, chapters and books on elephant healthcare and conservation.

Laurie Gage, DVM, the author of the radiology section, is now the big cat specialist at USDA Animal Care. Prior to this, she was a veterinarian at the Los Angeles Zoo and a veterinary consultant to the Coyote Point Museum on the San Francisco Peninsula. Dr. Gage was also the chief veterinarian at Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, California for 23 years. Biology, Medicine, and Surgery of Elephants is available from Blackwell Publishing at www.blackwellpublishing.com.

About Eklin Medical Systems, Inc.

With hundreds of systems installed in private practices and universities around the globe, Eklin Medical Systems, Inc. is one of the world’s leading providers of veterinary PACS, practice management and digital radiography products. The company focuses on applications where speed, portability, and increased practice efficiency are critically important. Eklin is a privately-held company headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., and can be contacted at 800-819-5538 or visit http://www.eklin.com.

Media Contact:
Laurie Hallwyler
Eklin Medical Systems
650-248-9081
lhallwyler@eklin.com