Siemens Healthineers' SOMATOM Pro.Pulse dual-source CT
Siemens Healthineers gets FDA clearance for SOMATOM Pro.Pulse dual-source CT
December 22, 2023
by John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter
A month after its unveiling at RSNA, Siemens Healthineers has secured 510(k) clearance for its SOMATOM Pro.Pulse dual-source CT scanner.
The solution is embedded with artificial intelligence and user assistance features, including myExam Companion, an AI-powered intelligent user interface that combines patient data such as age, height, and gender, and uses scan-relevant information such as heart rate and breath-holding capabilities to tailor protocols based on a patient’s individual anatomy.
“CT exams performed on this system follow an intelligent and intuitive workflow appealing to various levels of experience. This enables standardization and reproducibility for clinicians and thus, saves personnel capacities,” said Philipp Fischer, head of computed tomography at Siemens Healthineers, in a statement following the scanner’s RSNA debut.
Dual-source CTs are equipped with two X-ray tubes and two detectors, enabling high temporal resolution to generate more precise cross-sectional images and faster scans. They can be used to diagnose tumors, guide surgeons during procedures, and analyze blood vessels.
These solutions are especially useful for cardiac CT because they limit artifacts created by breathing and motion. According to Siemens Healthineers, demand for this form of imaging has grown in recent years, partially due to increased recommendations by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and other groups to perform cardiac CT angiography as a frontline test in certain cases.
To make these scans more accessible and affordable, Siemens Healthineers has designed the SOMATOM Pro.Pulse CT system with features that reduce its installation, operational, and maintenance costs for small and rural providers, including:
Additionally, an optional FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) 3D camera can automate patient positioning, reducing the time that clinicians spend on routine tasks.
Radiation dose is also lower due to the scanner’s use of tin filters, while the high temporal resolution ensures the image quality is optimal. This makes it usable for specific procedures such as ultralow-dose thorax screenings.
The solution is embedded with artificial intelligence and user assistance features, including myExam Companion, an AI-powered intelligent user interface that combines patient data such as age, height, and gender, and uses scan-relevant information such as heart rate and breath-holding capabilities to tailor protocols based on a patient’s individual anatomy.
“CT exams performed on this system follow an intelligent and intuitive workflow appealing to various levels of experience. This enables standardization and reproducibility for clinicians and thus, saves personnel capacities,” said Philipp Fischer, head of computed tomography at Siemens Healthineers, in a statement following the scanner’s RSNA debut.
Dual-source CTs are equipped with two X-ray tubes and two detectors, enabling high temporal resolution to generate more precise cross-sectional images and faster scans. They can be used to diagnose tumors, guide surgeons during procedures, and analyze blood vessels.
These solutions are especially useful for cardiac CT because they limit artifacts created by breathing and motion. According to Siemens Healthineers, demand for this form of imaging has grown in recent years, partially due to increased recommendations by the American College of Cardiology, the American Heart Association, and other groups to perform cardiac CT angiography as a frontline test in certain cases.
To make these scans more accessible and affordable, Siemens Healthineers has designed the SOMATOM Pro.Pulse CT system with features that reduce its installation, operational, and maintenance costs for small and rural providers, including:
- An improved air-cooled gantry that consumes 20% less power than traditional water-cooled, dual-source CTs. This reduces life cycle costs, one of the barriers to providers being able to afford these solutions.
- A design that requires 31% less space for installation than previous dual-source CT scanners designed by Siemens Healthineers.
Additionally, an optional FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) 3D camera can automate patient positioning, reducing the time that clinicians spend on routine tasks.
Radiation dose is also lower due to the scanner’s use of tin filters, while the high temporal resolution ensures the image quality is optimal. This makes it usable for specific procedures such as ultralow-dose thorax screenings.