Siemens received FDA clearance to begin marketing its SOMATOM Definition AS Open CT scanner in the U.S.
According to Siemens literature, this is not just a general purpose CT system, but this SOMATOM was specifically engineered to be a tool for contouring and planning in preparation for interventional and radiation therapy procedures.
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An invaluable tool for contouring, virtual simulation, planning and treatment, the SOMATOM Definition AS Open has several new radiation therapy (RT) options and modifications that distinguish it as a fully dedicated radiation therapy planning (RTP) system. With its full on-site upgradability from 20 to 64 slices, it can grow with user demands and be fully customized to user requirements. Also, it supports the perfect balance of image quality and dose with a bore diameter of up to 80 cm, creating a CT that is open to every patient. In addition to the regular field of view (FoV) of 50 cm and the extended FoV of 80 cm, it boasts an innovative High-Definition (HD) FoV of 65 cm that is optimal for treatment planning. The robust multi-purpose treatment table with a bariatric top ensures high reproducibility of patient positioning up to 676 pounds, with a deflection of less than 2 mm. The new ReferenceFix function aligns the relation between the different coordinate systems of the CT system and the linear accelerator. Additionally, an accurate rendering of a moving tumor is achieved with an open interface, compatible with all respiratory gating hardware vendors. The SOMATOM Definition AS Open has a compact footprint of 200 square feet and offers Complete Dose Protection, a comprehensive portfolio of dose-saving features that enables users to actively manage the dose in every CT examination.
Detailed features from a fact sheet we received from Siemens:
80 cm bore size
20 or 64 slice acquisition
0.5 s rotation (0.33 s optional), 165 ms temporal resolution, 18.2 cm scan range in 2 sec
0.4 mm resolution (0.33 mm optional), outstanding image quality with 1472 channels
80 kW (100 kW optional) generator
227 kg/500 lb table load
Table deflection < 2mm much better than AAPM TG-66 guideline 80 cm bore
50 cm Field-of-View, 65 cm HD Field-of-View, 80 cm extended Field-of-View
Compact footprint 18 sqm
Flexibility for cooling (air/water)
ReferenceFix to easily match the CT table position with the table position of the linac
TSpaceView for capturing a moving target
Open gating interface for prospective and retrospective gating
RTP Excellence package
Press release: FDA Clears Siemens’ SOMATOM Definition AS Open for Radiation Therapy…