20-Slice CT Adapts to Virtually Any Patient for Complete Dose Protection

A new adaptive computed tomography (CT) scanner adapts to virtually any patient for complete dose protection, new dimensions, and the user's space.

Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) offers new applications in computed tomography (CT) imaging with the first installation of its Somatom Definition AS (adaptive scanner) 20-slice configuration CT system at the Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CDI; Minneapolis, MN, USA). "The installation of the Somatom Definition AS 20-slice CT is consistent with our ongoing commitment to provide high-quality images and care to our patients and physicians,” stated Patricia Zadra, CDI regional VP. "In addition to the lower radiation dose patients will receive, the system's scalability is important to our business operations. We will now be able to easily upgrade our CT capabilities as demand for advanced imaging services in our community grows.”

The Somatom Definition AS platform introduces a further expansion with its new 20-slice configuration, a large 78 cm gantry bore, optional 300 kg patient weight capacity and high-scan speed, designed for high-patient throughput. In addition to the morphologic imaging, with the unique Adaptive four-dimensional (4D) spiral mode, the system can offer functional imaging with perfusion capabilities of the brain and other organs and an extended coverage of up to 7 cm.

The system can be customized to meet a hospital's workflow and clinical needs, with a goal to make the most complex procedures routine. In addition to its large bore and high capacity patient table, the technology couples components in a dynamic manner, such as a large-volume coverage area with a 200-cm scan range and up to 330 msec rotation time. These features allow even the most clinically challenging patients (i.e., trauma patients) to be imaged rapidly, from head to toe, without difficulty. The Definition AS is also available in 40-slice, 64-slice, and 128-slice--AS+ configurations. It can be field upgraded to other configurations with minimal downtime. This allows the technology to grow with the institution's needs, while minimizing downtime and loss of revenue.

"In today's challenging economy, the Somatom Defintion AS 20 is the perfect fit for facilities facing tight budgets, but still need a CT scanner that can adapt to their growth potential,” said Kulin Hemani, vice president, computed tomography, Siemens Healthcare. "The system's flexibility allows a facility to upgrade its technology, as well as grow its clinical service lines.”

The system is able to adapt to the space constraints many facilities face today. It requires very little floor space, with an 18-m2 footprint. This allows the Definition AS to fit into rooms that have traditionally been too small for high-end CT scanners. The desire to expose patients to as little radiation as possible lies at the heart of Siemens CARE philosophy, in providing a wide range of dose-reduction solutions. The Somatom Definition AS provides tremendous benefit with the Adaptive Dose Shield technology, eliminating unnecessary over-radiation.

With the Somatom product range, Siemens is developing innovations and solutions for maintaining ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines and to integrate these developments into its systems for dose reduction and improvement in patient safety. Siemens' unique Adaptive Dose Shield addresses the issue by dynamically blocking the unnecessary dose before and after the spiral scan, ensuring that the only dose applied to the patient is a clinically relevant dose. Moreover, CARE Dose 4D, Siemens' real time dose modulation, guarantees an unparalleled combination of maximum image quality at minimum dose for every patient in every spiral scan.

Furthermore, Siemens ultra-fast ceramic (UFC) detector not only provides extremely short afterglow times, but it also improves dose efficiency, compared to previous generations of CT detectors, by 30%.

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