The only thing missing from last week's meeting of the Radiological Society of North America was the time machine. The event was like a trip to the future of medical imaging for an estimated 70,000 attendees. Equipment manufacturers went to great lengths to demonstrate cutting-edge technologies in X-Ray, MRI, PET, CT, nuclear medicine and even some hybrids that combine more than one technique.

Siemens Cardio CT Provides Details of the Heart; Advanced Digital Radiography, Angiography and X-Ray Also Demo'd

One of the hits of RSNA was Siemens CT demo including the first dual source computed tomography (CT) system ever developed. The SOMATOM Definition, which the company touts as "faster than every beating heart" can image full cardiac detail with lower radiation exposure than other CT scans. The technology can image patients with high or irregular heart rates without beta blocker medications that have been needed previously to slow a patient's heart. The system also enables physicians to better identify and characterize plaque, an early indicator of heart disease. As for technical details, the SOMATOM Definition scans with two different X-ray energies simultaneously to allow physicians to better differentiate, characterize, isolate and distinguish bone, soft tissue and fluid. With 0.33 seconds per rotation, electrocardiogram- (ECG) synchronized imaging can be performed with 83-millisecond temporal resolution, independent of the heart rate, resulting in motion-free cardiac images. Featuring a 31-inch (78-cm) bore opening and a 79-inch (200-cm) scan range, the SOMATOM Definition increases patient comfort and access, allowing clinicians to image more of the body in less time.
The first SOMATOM Definition was installed at the University of Erlangen (Germany) in October 2005 and is being used for technical and clinical research as well as regular patient care. The first U.S. installations will take place in early 2006 at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.; Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio; and New York University Medical Center.

SOMATOM is just one of Siemens' CT engines and cardiology just one clinical specialty for CT. Watch DOTmed news for updates on Siemens' newest innovations and workflows for acute care, neurology, and oncology.

Another big Siemens launch at RSNA was its advanced digital radiography system. The AXIOM Aristos FX Plus is suited for both pediatric and adult application.

The AXIOM Aristos FX Plus builds upon the success of Siemens' flagship digital radiography system, the AXIOM Aristos FX, with an array of enhancements and applications to further streamline workflow and improve patient throughput, including: enhanced system drive mechanism, redesigned detector housing, a work-in-progress wireless remote and other new or forthcoming features.

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