Increased Speed Produces Higher Resolution in Cardiac and Obese Scans

The technology used in the Definition provides maximum performance in terms of both spatial resolution and temporal resolution.


"The improved temporal resolution of 83 milliseconds aids diagnosis of cardiac arterial pathology while allowing diagnostic imaging of cardiac structures at higher heart rates than were previously possible," said Jacobs.

According to McCollough, physicians at Mayo Clinic have been able to use the Definition's increased speed to produce sharp images of the heart in all phases of the cardiac cycle, allowing the coronary arteries to be well visualized not only when the heart is moving more slowly (diastole), but also when the heart is rapidly contracting (systole).

The Definition also overcomes the limitations often experienced when scanning obese patients with single-source CT systems. Its two X-ray sources provide physicians with increased power to obtain richly detailed images of these patients, while the system's speed limits radiation exposure. In addition, the Definition has a wide bore opening of 31 inches to ensure comfortable scanning of larger or claustrophobic patients.

"The ability to image patients with higher energy levels improves imaging of obese patients, which is an ever growing concern in view of the increased prevalence of obesity among the United States population," said Jacobs.

Research Provides Glimpse of Enhanced Capabilities

Because various X-ray energies interact differently with different tissue types, the flexibility inherent in the Siemens dual-source CT technology will enable physicians to better differentiate and isolate tissues. Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have begun exploring the feasibility of using two different X-ray energies for a number of potential applications.

"Traditional CT imaging provides detailed images of anatomy, but less information about physiological function," notes McCollough. "We are seeing a broad interest from the scientific community in using the information from different energies to tell physicians more about what a material is comprised of and how it is functioning. I expect this to become an area of active CT research."

"The ability to image patients using two different X-ray energy levels has exciting potential for better isolation and characterization of neurologic, abdominal, and pelvic pathology," added Jacobs.

Ongoing research using the Definition at NYUMC will include the evaluation, quantification and characterization of coronary artery plaque; evaluation and quantification of tumor angiogenesis within the liver; and evaluation of neurologic abnormalities using carotid angiography.

More Industry Headlines