Bennett retrofits mammography units

Trex Medical's Bennett division is about halfway through an effort to retrofit its Contour mammography units to correct an overheating problem caused by the system's collimator lamp. About 480 units are being retrofitted, according to the Copiague, NY, vendor.

The problem occurs in high patient-volume situations with the company's Contour I and Contour II systems, according to Walter Schneider, president of the Bennett division. In such environments, the collimator lamp can heat up Contour's collimator blades, causing them to jam and not size properly. Bennett has developed a retrofit kit that involves installing a cooling fan into Contour. New models of the system already ship with the retrofit.

Bennett in March began retrofitting the installed base of Contour I and Contour II systems, and notified the Food and Drug Administration of its intentions. Bennett's dealers have reported that about half the systems affected have received the retrofits.

In other Bennett news, the company last month promoted 15-year Bennett veteran Scott Matovich to vice president of sales and marketing, with authority over the company's U.S. and international sales and marketing efforts. Matovich previously was vice president of international sales and marketing, and helped grow Bennett's international sales to become one-third of its business.

Another promotion went to Lim Cheung, Bennett's director of digital imaging technology, who adds vice president of R&D to his responsibilities. Cheung joined Bennett in 1994 when the company acquired the optical physics department of Northrop Grumman. He has been instrumental in the design and development of Bennett's full-field digital mammography system, according to the company.