Siemens' SOMATOM go.Up
Siemens scores FDA clearance for its SOMATOM go. CT platform
April 11, 2017
by Lauren Dubinsky, Senior Reporter
Siemens Healthineers announced yesterday that its SOMATOM go. CT platform scored FDA clearance. The platform consists of the new SOMATOM go.Now and SOMATOM go.Up CT systems, which can be controlled with a tablet or remote.
Since the workflow is controlled via a tablet, the clinicians no longer have to move between the CT and control room. The technologists can stay with the patients during exam preparation, which can make them more comfortable, especially children.
Instead of two or three rooms for the scanner, control unit and possibly additional technology, the SOMATOM go. scanners only require one room. All of the computer hardware that’s traditionally in the control room is integrated into the scanners’ gantry.
The 32-slice SOMATOM go.Now is geared toward radiology providers who want a low-cost scanner. The 64-slice SOMATOM go.Up is ideal for facilities that want to expand their portfolio because it offers low-dose, faster scanning and tin filtration, which is important when screening for lung cancer.
To develop the platform, Siemens held interviews and workshops with over 500 radiologists, radiologic technologists and radiology administrators globally. They told the company that they want technologies based on a mobile, tablet interface.
The platform’s standardized work steps allow clinicians to run the scan with just a few inputs. Its automated post-processing capabilities allow for "zero-click" reconstruction tasks so the technologists can generate consistent, high-quality images.
The platform also comes along with a holistic service approach called the Siemens Healthineers Connect Plan. It involves remote diagnostic and service capabilities, online training and new concept for extended spare parts coverage.
The remote service can help to reduce downtime, and customers can install many of the upgrades remotely at their discretion without interfering with their patient scanning schedule.
The platform also features a new Stellar detector with integrated electronics and spectral tin filters that were previously only available on Siemens’ most advanced single- and dual-source CT scanners. For vascular imaging, the Chronon X-ray tube uses low 80 kV tube voltages at high mA to reduce radiation dose and optimize the use of iodine contract.
Since the workflow is controlled via a tablet, the clinicians no longer have to move between the CT and control room. The technologists can stay with the patients during exam preparation, which can make them more comfortable, especially children.
Instead of two or three rooms for the scanner, control unit and possibly additional technology, the SOMATOM go. scanners only require one room. All of the computer hardware that’s traditionally in the control room is integrated into the scanners’ gantry.
The 32-slice SOMATOM go.Now is geared toward radiology providers who want a low-cost scanner. The 64-slice SOMATOM go.Up is ideal for facilities that want to expand their portfolio because it offers low-dose, faster scanning and tin filtration, which is important when screening for lung cancer.
To develop the platform, Siemens held interviews and workshops with over 500 radiologists, radiologic technologists and radiology administrators globally. They told the company that they want technologies based on a mobile, tablet interface.
The platform’s standardized work steps allow clinicians to run the scan with just a few inputs. Its automated post-processing capabilities allow for "zero-click" reconstruction tasks so the technologists can generate consistent, high-quality images.
The platform also comes along with a holistic service approach called the Siemens Healthineers Connect Plan. It involves remote diagnostic and service capabilities, online training and new concept for extended spare parts coverage.
The remote service can help to reduce downtime, and customers can install many of the upgrades remotely at their discretion without interfering with their patient scanning schedule.
The platform also features a new Stellar detector with integrated electronics and spectral tin filters that were previously only available on Siemens’ most advanced single- and dual-source CT scanners. For vascular imaging, the Chronon X-ray tube uses low 80 kV tube voltages at high mA to reduce radiation dose and optimize the use of iodine contract.