First-of-its-Kind Photon-Counting CT Scanner Launched

Siemens Healthineers launched Naeotom Alpha, the world’s first CT scanner designed with photon-counting technology.

Conventional CT imaging has certain limitations such as dose cannot be reduced significantly and resolution can only be improved by small margins whereas photon-counting technology has drastic improvements when compared to conventional CT.

Compared with conventional CT detectors, resolution can be improved and radiation dose can be reduced up to 45 percent for ultra-high resolution (UHR) scans with the use of Photon-counting technology.

Photon-counting scans can hold more useable data and detects each X-ray photon and its energy level instead of having converting it into visible light as done in conventional CT imaging.

Photon-counting scans include new capabilities such as scanning a patient lung with high scan accuracy. Moreover, high-resolution images can also be obtained with inherent spectral information by eliminating the need for patients to hold their breath.  This helps physicians to resolve issues quickly and helps to start treatment early.

As of now, the system is cleared for clinical use in USA and European regions.