Imaging Sciences International

Located in Hatfield, Pennsylvania, Imaging Sciences International was founded in 1992, with the initial goal of introducing high-quality tomographic imaging systems to the dental community at a reasonable cost. From its initial CommCAT Imaging System and four following generations, to its modern-day i-CAT technology, the company that began in the Keystone State has evolved into a key player and global leader in the development and manufacture of advanced dental and maxillofacial radiography products.

A look back; a future vision

Currently, Imaging Sciences' i-CAT Cone Beam 3-D scanner is adding a new dimension to the practice of dentistry. Throughout its history, the firm has been driven by a corporate philosophy and strategy that emphasizes technical excellence and a focus on customer education and service. Ed Marandola, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Imaging Sciences International, noted that the company’s transformation into 3-D imaging grew out of its desire to cater to the changing needs of dentists. “The world was becoming digital increasingly fast,” says Marandola. “Although digital panoramic equipment was significantly less expensive to manufacture than a digital tomograph machine, we needed to provide something significantly more valuable to dentists─additional information that was easily captured in a digital format.” Development of the i-CAT was based on the next generation platform of the company’s existing tomograph machine.

Many of the first i-CAT customers had already experienced the efficiency of Imaging Sciences’ former products and the core values of the business. “They believed in us, and our dedication to providing quality imaging solutions and customer service,” recalls Marandola. This continues to be one of the firm’s primary focuses. “We have an extremely strong engineering team, and are in a constant state of product development.” While Imaging Sciences has grown to provide imaging to a global customer base, Marandola adds, “We still stick to these original core values.”

As news of the i-CAT continued spreading nationally and across the globe, the additional transitions allowed its further expansion. The firm was established as an exclusive distributor partner in the US with Henry Schein Dental. This expanded the sales force’s reach in order to bring the technology to more dental practices around the country. The partnership also increased the support network to include a local infrastructure through the Henry Schein Dental team. Additional partnerships energized the firm even more. In 2007, Danaher, a Fortune 100 company, bought Imaging Sciences, and in 2008 new business associations among Imaging Sciences, Gendex, and DEXIS created even more opportunities for innovation. In 2008, i-CAT technology was expanded to power the GXCB-500 by Gendex, which offers an implant-specific field of view to further bring i-CAT 3-D imaging into many general dentist and implant practices.

Marandola notes, “These partnerships allowed us to continue to build relationships with dental professionals and gather ‘Voice of the Customer,’ discovering what they want and need.”  This personal touch and communication continues today. “When a customer invests in an i-CAT, they are not just buying a Cone Beam scanner,” explains Marandola. “They are becoming a part of the i-CAT family, our training, support, and communication with other dentists who have become experienced in 3-D imaging.” He adds that even now, “Through dialogues with our customers, we find out what technologies their practices need to become more profitable, and we can create products that deliver those benefits. We drive the innovation that helps our customers to grow.”

i-CAT technology is no stranger to accolades. It was voted the “Best CBCT” by the DTA each year from 2007 to 2009; “Best of ‘09” CBCT in The Dental Equipment and Technology Buying Guide (2009), and The Pride Institute’s “Best of Class” for Cone Beam 3D Systems in 2009.

3-D Imaging—a closer look

From general dentists to oral and maxillofacial surgeons, cone beam technology captures the data necessary for implants, facial reconstructive and orthognathic surgery, orthodontics, and endodontics. Dentists can slice or rotate through 3-D images that replicate the positions, shapes, and measurements of every scanned facial structure, including the maxilla, mandible, temporomandibular joint (TMJ), sinuses, nasal cavity, and area back to the cervical spine. Scans can uncover hidden nerves, exact root positions, impacted teeth, and supernumerary teeth, among other conditions.

A cone beam scan provides dentists with the comprehensive view needed to add procedures such as implants to their repertoire. A recent study from Kalorama Information titled “Implant-Based Dental Reconstruction: The Worldwide Implant and Bone Graft Market” cites a worldwide forecast growth rate for implants of around 15%. The study suggests that the aging of the developed world's population will create a larger opportunity for innovators. The i-CAT expands treatment options for dentists, avoiding many of the possible complications that arise from embarking on these procedures with information from less-detailed imaging methods. Cone beam scans show the critical anatomy, such as nerve canals, proximity to the sinus, existing pathology, adjacent teeth, or curved roots. Having an i-CAT allows the dentist to view the implant site from all angles: axial, buccal-lingual, and mesio-distal. These views allow the dentist to obtain a clear and definitive image of bone quality and quantity, crucial information that can mean the difference between the implant’s success or failure. Without the 3-D details, unwelcome “surprises” often do not become visible until the surgical step, or worse, when the implant fails.

Restoratively driven implant dentistry

Dentists can now bring implant planning and single-site implant placement and restoration completely in-house, or work more closely with their Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons and other specialists on the implant planning, placement, and restoration processes, thanks to the blending of the attributes of the i-CAT and E4D (D4D Technologies). These two firms recently heralded the dynamic pairing of E4D and i-CAT for implant placement and the restorative processes. The i-CAT scan’s high-resolution 3-D image of the patient’s mouth, face, and jaw areas along with the E4D Compass software, guides the operator through the entire restorative process, resulting in optimal positioning and consistent surgical and restorative solutions. One of the powerful things about this integrated system is the unique ability to mill a single-site surgical guide chairside. As another plus, the i-CAT is also compatible with surgical guide applications as well.

Even for orthodontists, this powerful imaging method offers the opportunity to take advantage of advanced 3-D treatment, such as SureSmile robotic orthodontic technology. Using the i-CAT scan in conjunction with SureSmile saves time and allows the orthodontist to see not just the crowns of the teeth, but the roots and other dental anatomy below the surface for more comprehensive planning and treatment. Seeing the relationships between the teeth, occlusion, and joints all in one 3-D scan creates more efficient orthodontics.

Teachable moments—focus on training and support

Imaging Sciences International offers unmatched special training-support opportunities in a comprehensive training program designed specifically for i-CAT and GXCB-500 customers to enhance the integration of their of Cone Beam 3-D system into their practice. Various levels of training range from convenient web training, to comprehensive 2-day courses that feature anatomy and radiation biology, to 3-D scan interpretation taught by Oral and Maxillofacial Radiologists. Professionals and clinicians provide training and education that enhances customers’ use of 3-D imaging. The 3-D Imaging Institute, established by Imaging Sciences and Gendex, offers extensive training programs through seminars, webinars, and the annual International Congress on 3-D Dental Imaging (www.i-CAT3D.com). At users’ meetings and advanced training facilities around the country, dental professionals can learn more about cone beam technology, and its implementation and utilization. Customers can interact with those who have already experienced its benefits. Training and support are valued hallmarks of the i-CAT philosophy.

Know the terrain before you navigate it

With the implementation of the cone beam system, Imaging Sciences gives dentists a chance to expand their dental practices and improve patient care. “Cone beam allows the specialist to become even more specialized and the GP to offer a broader set of procedures,” describes Marandola. “At any level of experience, this technology provides a higher level of accuracy for implant treatment. We aim to make sure that the doctor has the right tools to provide the best result. With the i-CAT, the dentist has the patient’s mouth mapped out, like GPS navigation, so there are no surprises during treatment.”

As a company, Imaging Sciences International is constantly striving to add more benefits to the 3-D imaging experience. “We put all of our time and energy into doing it right,” says Marandola. “We are doing a lot of research in these areas that will allow us to stay in front of the pack. We hear what the doctors want, and we are responding.”

i-CAT – A leader in cone beam 3-D imaging

A knowledgeable research and development team has consistently focused on leading the innovation and manufacturing of 3-D dental imaging technology. The i-CAT’s 8.9-second scan time and a less than 30-second reconstruction rate is the fastest in the industry, with the smallest radiation dose per cu cm³─ with 36 µsv for standard scan. The full field of view, made possible by the system’s Amorphous Silicon Flat Panel Sensor, captures the entire skull, 17 cm in height and 23 cm in diameter, but also collimates down to 4 cm in height by 16 in diameter, for a myriad of scan sizes. The scan information is highly shareable with colleagues, through i-CATVision™ software or in DICOM format to all major third-party 3-D imaging software. For those who want a panoramic view, the Tru-Pan™ software provides the industry’s first and only one-click volumetric pan, from 3-D scans. This unique and patented Tru-Pan software is direct-response to owner-response to owner-feedback.

Imaging Sciences' products and manufacturing processes hold globally recognized ISO certifications, recognizing that all products meet or exceed internationally defined manufacturing and quality assurance standards. Other domestic and international quality certifications have been received from the FDA, the Canadian Medical Devices Regulations (CMDR), and the European Union Medical Device Directive. The firm’s numerous patents underscore the commitment to development of precision-quality imaging products.