Siemens introduces dual energy applications to SOMATOM Definition

19 March 2008

Siemens Healthcare has announced US market clearance of four new applications aimed at simplifying the diagnosis of diseases of the heart, brain, lungs, and extremity joints.

With a dual x-ray tube and dual-detector design, the SOMATOM Definition routinely provides images at twice the temporal resolution, twice the speed, and twice the power of single-source systems. Siemens announced the new applications at ECR 2008, held last week in Vienna.

The SOMATOM Definition acquires images of outstanding quality and detail even of hearts with a high heart rate or irregular heartbeat, and at only half the dose of previous Siemens systems. The two x-ray tubes provide the system with features previously not existing in diagnostic imaging.

This includes the possibility of, simultaneously, operating the x-ray tubes at different voltage levels (dual energy, or DE) in a single scan so that two data records with different patient information are generated, thereby displaying tissue and fluids and facilitating the distinction of vessels, bones, and soft tissue.

"The SOMATOM Definition moves CT to an entirely new dimension of diagnostic sensitivity where contrast in the image is not merely limited to x-ray attenuation differences, but may include elements of functional and tissue characterization. This additional information may be used to improve diagnostic outcomes and to simplify complex workflows," explains Peter Kingma, Vice President, CT, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "The Definition already offers enhanced resolution, speed, and power. Now, we are adding convenience of use to the mix."

One of the new dual energy applications for the SOMATOM Definition is syngo DE Heart PBV (perfusion blood volume), which provides colour-marking of non-perfused parts of the myocardium during cardiology examinations. Moreover, syngo DE Heart PBV enables the isolated display of the heart, for example, without thorax structures.

The heart perfusion is examined primarily after an infarction to determine damaged areas of the organ. For the first time, DECT can detect a stenosis and its degree, as well as the location and extent of the resulting reduced perfusion in the myocardium in a single scan.

Gout

Deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints of gout patients may damage the cartilaginous and osseous substance, particularly if the disease has been chronic for several years. With syngo DE Gout, CT can now also be used for gout detection. The new dual energy application assists the physician in clearly identifying uric acid crystals in the extremities and monitoring changes in the crystals in the course of treatment.

Lung

syngo DE Lung Vessels provides a whole series of applications to assist the physician in CT examinations of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (a sudden occlusion of blood vessels in the lungs). The new applications enable the detection of non-perfused blood vessels and tissue of the lungs through coloor-marking. The 'lung isolation' application isolates the entire organ to allow the assessment of the perfusion situation without obstructing neighbouring organs.

Brain

syngo DE Brain Hemorrhage assists in the distinction between new and old hemorrhages in the event of cerebral bleeding. The two energy levels of the X-ray tubes are used to fade out the contrast medium (CM). In the past, this had required two scans. The contrast medium subtraction offers two advantages: A non-contrast medium enhanced examination is not necessary, and the patient is spared the dose of a second scan.

The four new dual energy applications presented by Siemens at the ECR 2008 supplement the six existing CT applications with dual energy features: syngo DE Direct Angio; syngo DE Lung PBV; syngo DE Musculoskeletal; syngo DE Calculi Characterization; syngo DE Hardplaque; syngo DE Virtual Unenhanced.

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Siemens introduces dual energy applications to SOMATOM Definition 19 March 2008 Siemens Healthcare has announced US market clearance of four new applications aimed at simplifying the diagnosis of diseases of the heart, brain, lungs, and extremity joints. With a dual x-ray tube and dual-detector design, the SOMATOM Definition routinely provides images at twice the temporal resolution, twice the speed, and twice the power of single-source systems. Siemens announced the new applications at ECR 2008, held last week in Vienna. The SOMATOM Definition acquires images of outstanding quality and detail even of hearts with a high heart rate or irregular heartbeat, and at only half the dose of previous Siemens systems. The two x-ray tubes provide the system with features previously not existing in diagnostic imaging. This includes the possibility of, simultaneously, operating the x-ray tubes at different voltage levels (dual energy, or DE) in a single scan so that two data records with different patient information are generated, thereby displaying tissue and fluids and facilitating the distinction of vessels, bones, and soft tissue. "The SOMATOM Definition moves CT to an entirely new dimension of diagnostic sensitivity where contrast in the image is not merely limited to x-ray attenuation differences, but may include elements of functional and tissue characterization. This additional information may be used to improve diagnostic outcomes and to simplify complex workflows," explains Peter Kingma, Vice President, CT, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "The Definition already offers enhanced resolution, speed, and power. Now, we are adding convenience of use to the mix." One of the new dual energy applications for the SOMATOM Definition is syngo DE Heart PBV (perfusion blood volume), which provides colour-marking of non-perfused parts of the myocardium during cardiology examinations. Moreover, syngo DE Heart PBV enables the isolated display of the heart, for example, without thorax structures. The heart perfusion is examined primarily after an infarction to determine damaged areas of the organ. For the first time, DECT can detect a stenosis and its degree, as well as the location and extent of the resulting reduced perfusion in the myocardium in a single scan. Gout Deposits of uric acid crystals in the joints of gout patients may damage the cartilaginous and osseous substance, particularly if the disease has been chronic for several years. With syngo DE Gout, CT can now also be used for gout detection. The new dual energy application assists the physician in clearly identifying uric acid crystals in the extremities and monitoring changes in the crystals in the course of treatment. Lung syngo DE Lung Vessels provides a whole series of applications to assist the physician in CT examinations of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (a sudden occlusion of blood vessels in the lungs). The new applications enable the detection of non-perfused blood vessels and tissue of the lungs through coloor-marking. The 'lung isolation' application isolates the entire organ to allow the assessment of the perfusion situation without obstructing neighbouring organs. Brain syngo DE Brain Hemorrhage assists in the distinction between new and old hemorrhages in the event of cerebral bleeding. The two energy levels of the X-ray tubes are used to fade out the contrast medium (CM). In the past, this had required two scans. The contrast medium subtraction offers two advantages: A non-contrast medium enhanced examination is not necessary, and the patient is spared the dose of a second scan. The four new dual energy applications presented by Siemens at the ECR 2008 supplement the six existing CT applications with dual energy features: syngo DE Direct Angio; syngo DE Lung PBV; syngo DE Musculoskeletal; syngo DE Calculi Characterization; syngo DE Hardplaque; syngo DE Virtual Unenhanced. Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. To top	Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.