Siemens has released a new general purpose CT scanner, the SOMATOM Scope. The tomograph is available as an entry level, low cost of operation device, or as a more capable version, the Somatom Scope Power. The scanner takes only eight square meters (86 sq feet) of floor space, significantly reduces its energy usage over previous models, and doesn’t run as hot to save on facility cooling costs.
The system features a sleep mode that helps save energy when not in use, and the eStart function makes sure the X-ray tube is warmed up before running the first scan after the scanner takes a nap. This extends the tube’s lifetime, helping save on the costs of running the device in the long term.
The eMode function helps clinicians automatically select settings for each scan, helping improve efficiency and reducing the workload on the scanner hardware.
From Siemens:
With the combination of eStart, eMode and eSleep as the eCockpit, all phases of the scanner utilization, from stand-by to warm-up to scan, are taken into consideration in order to increase efficiency and scanner uptime. This helps to reduce operating costs by up to 35% over the operational lifetime (average eight years) compared with the previous generation of CT scanners. This high cost efficiency means that, in times of limited budgets, the new CT scanner is particularly suitable for private radiology practices and small- to medium-sized hospitals. It covers routine oncological examinations as well as trauma diagnostics, interventional radiology, and vascular imaging. For greater clinical requirements and larger patient numbers, Somatom Scope Power is recommended: With a stronger X-ray tube, a higher performance generator, and faster rotation speed, it enables greater volume coverage, for example.
Whether a Somatom Scope or Somatom Scope Power is installed, users with a Siemens service contract for their system who use eMode and eStart in more than 80% of CT examinations will be able to choose from a variety of additional service benefits. For example, customers in Germany will receive a service cost reduction of up to 10%.
Product page: SOMATOM Scope…
Press release: Siemens presents new 16-slice CT scanner Somatom Scope…