Siemens AG has unveiled what it believes to be “the world’s most advanced computed tomography system.” The scanner, that reportedly exposes patients to 50 percent less radiation as its competitors, is geared for cardiology applications:
Setting new standards in cardiac diagnosis, the Somatom Definition will image patients with high or irregular heart rates, or even arrhythmia, without beta blocker medications that have been previously needed to slow a patient’s heart. The system also enables physicians to better identify and characterize plaque, an early indicator of heart disease…
The Somatom Definition has enhanced capabilities not previously available from any type of diagnostic imaging technology, which are expected to lead to new breakthroughs in clinical research. These capabilities include scanning with two different X-ray energies simultaneously, which allow physicians to better differentiate, characterize, isolate and distinguish bone, soft tissue and fluid…
The Somatom Definition is faster than any existing CT technology. This dual source CT system uses two X-ray sources and two detectors at the same time, compared to all other CT systems that use only one source and detector. With 0.33 seconds per rotation, electrocardiogram- (ECG) synchronized imaging can be performed with 83-millisecond temporal resolution, independent of the heart rate, resulting in motion free cardiac images.
Featuring a 31-inch (78-cm) bore opening and a 79-inch (200-cm) scan range, the Somatom Definition increases patient comfort and access, allowing clinicians to image more of the body in less time. Equipped with z-Sharp Technology, the Straton X-ray tube and CARE solutions, the Somatom Definition has all the tools necessary to enable a new gold standard in earlier detection, faster evaluation, and more precise follow-up of disease states for CT imaging.
The close cooperation between Siemens and leading healthcare institutions around the world has ensured that the Somatom Definition will meet today’s and tomorrow’s clinical needs. The first Somatom Definition was installed at the University of Erlangen (Germany) in October 2005 and is being used for technical and clinical research as well as regular patient care.
The Somatom Definition has enhanced capabilities not previously available from any type of diagnostic imaging technology, which are expected to lead to new breakthroughs in clinical research. These capabilities include scanning with two different X-ray energies simultaneously, which allow physicians to better differentiate, characterize, isolate and distinguish bone, soft tissue and fluid…The press release…
Picture gallery…