GERMANY – Siemens Healthineers has introduced a new line of photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scanners, building on the success of its Naeotom Alpha, the first photon-counting CT system available for clinical use.
Launched in 2021, the Naeotom Alpha has already scanned over a million patients globally.
Now, Siemens is expanding its offerings with the Naeotom Alpha class, which includes two new models: the Naeotom Alpha.Pro1, a dual-source scanner, and the Naeotom Alpha.Prime1, a single-source photon-counting scanner.
These new models will complement the existing Naeotom Alpha, which will be rebranded as the Naeotom Alpha.Peak, the high-end version of the series.
Photon-counting CT technology represents a major advancement in medical imaging by detecting and counting individual X-ray photons as they pass through the body.
This process allows for more detailed images with reduced radiation doses, enabling clinicians to observe even the smallest structures with greater precision and fewer artifacts.
As a result, this technology improves diagnostic accuracy, speeds up decision-making, and enhances imaging workflows.
Siemens Healthineers is further bolstering its commitment to photon-counting CT by investing US $86 million to expand detector production at its facility in Forchheim, Germany.
The Naeotom Alpha.Peak will be the fastest and most advanced model in the new product line, boasting a scan time of 737 mm/sec.
All Naeotom Alpha class scanners will feature Quantum HD resolution, providing high-resolution images with a slice thickness of just 0.2 mm. This allows for the detection of small abnormalities without increasing radiation exposure.
The Naeotom Alpha.Pro combines the benefits of photon-counting technology with the speed of dual-source CT.
This system offers fast scan times of up to 491 mm/sec, which is particularly valuable in demanding clinical areas such as pulmonology, cardiology, and pediatrics.
In pulmonology, for example, patients can hold their breath for shorter periods, improving comfort and compliance.
In cardiology, the scanner can capture high-quality images even at high heart rates, eliminating the need for beta-blockers.
Pediatric patients can be scanned without sedation, enhancing both the patient experience and clinical workflows.
The Naeotom Alpha.Pro is well-suited for institutions that handle complex cases, such as those involving highly calcified coronary arteries or time-sensitive conditions like trauma and stroke.
This makes the system an ideal choice for high-performance hubs within hub-and-spoke healthcare networks, where other scanners can be used for routine exams at peripheral locations.
Meanwhile, the Naeotom Alpha.Prime is the world’s first single-source photon-counting CT scanner, designed for use in emergency departments, ambulatory settings, and stand-alone healthcare facilities.
It offers high-performance imaging for institutions that do not require dual-source technology but still need advanced diagnostic capabilities.
The Naeotom Alpha.Prime, like all Naeotom Alpha systems, is powered by artificial intelligence and automation.
Its myExam Companion guides users through every step of the process, from patient preparation to image acquisition and post-processing, ensuring consistent results regardless of the operator’s experience or the patient’s condition.
Dr. Pál Maurovich-Horvat, Chair of Radiology at Semmelweis University Hospital in Budapest, praised the Naeotom Alpha’s ability to accurately diagnose coronary artery disease, especially in patients with heavily calcified arteries.
By using photon-counting CT, his hospital has eliminated the need for invasive procedures like catheterization, streamlining patient care and reducing the time to treatment.
The hospital has also expanded its fleet with a single-source photon-counting scanner to enhance care for acute patients in the emergency department.
