Philips and Electron install first Russian-made CT scanner

4 Nov 2010

Philips and Russian medical equipment manufacturer Electron have completed Russia’s first installation and clinical validation of a domestically made computed tomography (CT) scanner at the Hospital of War Veterans in St Petersburg.

The 16-slice CT scanner and its peripherals have all been produced at the production facilities of Electron in St Petersburg.

Its hardware and software for medical data storage and processing are tailored to the specific demands of Russian hospitals. For example, it is the first scanner with a Russian-language interface, which is key to increasing the efficiency of diagnostic procedures and efficient training of medical personnel.

In line with global trends, cardiovascular disease and cancer are now the biggest contributors to Russia’s mortality rate. Medical imaging systems, such as CT scanners, have become powerful tools used by doctors to diagnose and treat these diseases.

“We are very pleased that our hospital has been the first to use this advanced Russian-made CT scanner and we are fully satisfied with the results of the clinical studies,” said Evgeny Ageenko, Head of the Hospital of War Veterans, St Petersburg and Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation.

“Until recently, we only had access to a 2-slice imported scanner, but now we have the opportunity to increase the capacity of our diagnostic CT procedures and significantly improve the quality of our clinical studies.”

According to independent market research (source: Synovate), the Russian imaging market is recovering from the global economic crisis and this year it could reach more than half of the €800 million spent in 2008. Strong purchasing plans are already evident and it is expected that within the next years the market size will return to its 2008 level.

''In developing our first joint product we were aiming to respond to the unique requirements of the Russian healthcare system and offer a solution made specifically for Russian healthcare professionals'', says Ronald de Jong, General Manager for Philips Healthcare in Emerging Markets. ''Today we have proven that we have accomplished that task, and I hope that clinics across Russia will follow the example of Saint-Petersburg hospital so that they can address the urgent need for Russian doctors and patients to have better access to the latest diagnostic equipment.''

“Philips and Electron worked together at all levels of the development, production and commercialization process, making our partnership unique in the Russian market,” comments Alexander Elinson, CEO of Electron. “I am convinced that our domestic production of advanced medical equipment will catalyze growth in the local medical components industry and contribute to further innovation in the Russian healthcare industry. It will also help to reduce Russia’s dependence on the import of healthcare equipment.”

Today, 15% of the high-tech components used in the CT scanner manufactured by Philips-Electron have been developed and produced locally in Russia. It is the aim of the partners to increase this proportion to 51% within the next three years. In the future, Philips and Electron intend to extend their product portfolio to include a 64-slice CT-scanner, high-end ultrasound systems and a domestically assembled MRI scanner.