New Molecular Imaging Technology Presented at European Medical Meeting

New molecular imaging technology was presented at a European medical meeting that included detailed information on molecular magnetic resonance (mMR) technology in which a 3-Tesla MRI and molecular imaging incorporates as a single system. The mMR powers the simultaneous acquisition of MR morphologic and functional details in human tissue and positron emission tomography (PET) cellular activity. In addition to offering full resolution with HD•PET and time of flight technologies, it has a large 78-cm bore and 227-kg capacity table that are optimized for large patients.

Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) displayed its range of solutions for nuclear medicine at the annual congress of European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) in Birmingham, UK, on October 15-19, 2011. This included the Biograph mCT (computed tomography) and mMR hybrid molecular imaging systems; the Symbia T TruePoint single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)•CT, a hybrid dual-detector variable angle gamma camera with multislice CT; Symbia.net, a clinical workflow server; and syngo.via, the application for multimodality clinical image reporting.

The world’s first molecular CT, the Biograph mCT, offers HD•PET to provide detailed depth of data including cell metabolism within tumors, plus has a large bore and short tunnel for a more comfortable scanning experience for the patient. Due to its dual functionality, the system can be used as a combined molecular CT or as a standalone, high power CT scanner if required, saving the time, costs, and space restrictions associated with multiple imaging installations.

“Traditionally in hybrid imaging, the topics of dose reduction and increased efficiency have been regarded almost as opposing goals, but Siemens has constantly innovated in this area, introducing solutions that truly address the topics of dose and workflow,” said Britta Fuenfstueck, chief executive officer, molecular imaging business unit, Siemens Healthcare. “These solutions, which are customizable to every patient need, enable clinicians to maintain the highest level of image quality while minimizing dose levels and increasing speed.”

The Symbia T TruePoint SPECT•CT, a hybrid dual-detector variable angle gamma camera with multislice CT was also presented at EANM 2011. The system provides fast, accurate attenuation correction and anatomic mapping to accelerate workflow and give imaging confidence.

Lastly, Symbia.net, a fully functional thin client application to assist hospitals to conduct remote processing and reporting of nuclear medicine images and data; and syngo.via, a client-server, advanced visualization software for PET•CT that speeds up the reading and sharing of images were demonstrated. Symbia.net provides staff access to the full processing and reading capabilities of SPECT and SPECT•CT studies from a standard networked PC that has the client software installed, even if placed on different floors to the scanning equipment.

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