Interventional Suite Designed for Spiral, Sequence, and Fluoroscopic CT-Guided Procedures

An adaptive three-dimensional (3D) interventional suite is designed for computed tomography (CT) 64-slice scanner equipped for spiral, sequence, and fluoroscopic CT-guided interventional procedures. The suite combines fully configurable scanning user interfaces, enabling the clinician to adapt interventional scans as needed.

When faced with a growing number of interventional procedures, as well as a heavy flow of imaging exams throughout the day, Iowa Methodist Medical Center (Des Moines, USA) found a suitable solution with the Somatom Definition AS 64-slice CT scanner, developed by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany), equipped with the new Adaptive 3D Interventional Suite. Now, the 500-bed facility in Des Moines, ID, USA, can use a CT scanner for both imaging and interventional procedures, while delivering reduced radiation dose to the patient, and increasing workflow through faster exam times.

As the demand for CT-guided interventions, such as vertebroplasty, tumorous lesions, and image-guided percutaneous laser disk decompression, continues to grow, Siemens Adaptive 3D Interventional Suite is designed as a complete solution for nonfluoroscopic and fluoroscopic minimal invasive 3D volume interventions.

"The decision to purchase the Somatom Definition AS with the Adaptive 3D Interventional Suite has allowed us to become more competitive in the industry,” said Dr. David Lacey, Interventional Radiologist, Iowa Methodist Medical Center and Methodist West Hospital. "The convenience of having a scanner that can be used for 3D intervention imaging, as well as general imaging, has not only enhanced the hospital's clinical capabilities, but has also helped us financially and operationally.”

The interventional package is being used on both of Iowa Methodist's Somatom Definition AS64 CT scanners. The hospital conducts approximately one to five intervention procedures a day. "With the Somatom Definition line and the introduction of the Adaptive 3D Interventional Suite, we made CT-guided procedure the centerpiece of interventional routine,” said Kulin Hemani, vice president, computed tomography, Siemens Healthcare. "Siemens CT has always been a leader in developing innovations that are focused on providing the highest levels of patient care and comfort and delivering clinical excellence.”

Siemens Adaptive 3D Interventional Suite can be used on all Somatom Definition systems that are 20 slices and higher, including the Somatom Definition Flash scanner. The Somatom Definition scanners offer wider gantry openings (78 cm - 82 cm) for better access and patient comfort, as well as an enhanced accuracy, due to ultrafast 3D image guidance in combination with path planning tools and needle artifact prevention for safe and fast procedures.

Moreover, the physician can get significant dose reduction in all modes with HandCARE, the ability to turn of the radiation exposure at various angles in the CT gantry while doing the procedure. A new toolbar enables one-click windowing and allows the user to switch image views with a single click. The exact position of the table can be controlled from the toolbar--whether using the joystick or one click at the CT console--offering greater speed and accuracy in patient positioning. In-room, scan control is now also available for nonfluoroscopic procedures via an interventional control module.

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