CT System with Visualization Software Provides High-Speed Body Coverage and Comfort to Elderly and Bariatric Patients

A new computed tomography (CT) system provides high-speed whole body coverage at high spatial resolution, with pediatric and bariatric CT imaging allowing for minimum patient exclusion.

Wansbeck General Hospital (Ashington, UK), part of Northumbria Healthcare NHS [UK National Health Service] Foundation Trust, has deployed a Somatom Definition AS+ CT system with syngo.via, developed by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany). This is helping to enhance a number of patient services with increased productivity. The installation of syngo.via, an advanced visualization software platform from Siemens Healthcare, is also helping power workflow processes using thin-client technology.

The CT system offers high-speed whole body coverage at high spatial resolution, with pediatric and bariatric CT imaging allowing for minimum patient exclusion. The system features Fast Care technology to accelerate workflow while offering low dose, culminating in robust patient-centric productivity. The use of sinogram confirmed that iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) technology allows access to iterative reconstruction for low dose usage with fast workflow. The system’s capabilities for three-dimensional (3D)-guided interventional CT and whole organ coverage further enhance the department’s clinical capabilities.

The syngo.via imaging software and platform is used in conjunction with Wansbeck’s existing information technology (IT) infrastructure, removing the need for expenditure on additional workstations. Furthermore, it gives flexibility to radiologists by allowing them to view and share CT images from anywhere inside the hospital or remotely.

“Since its installation, the Somatom Definition AS+ from Siemens Healthcare has proved invaluable in delivering comfort to bariatric, elderly, and claustrophobic patients due to its wide bore,” said Pamela Kitto, CT superintendent at Wansbeck General Hospital. “The system’s reputation for reliability made the Definition AS+ attractive to us, while the combination of SAFIRE and Care technologies has allowed us to use a noticeably low dose. The installation of the CT system with syngo.via has meant radiologists are no longer tethered to fixed workstations and can access the images anywhere, at any time. This has delivered flexibility and increased staff productivity.”

“The Somatom Definition AS+, with its wide bore, low dose, cardiovascular capabilities, and high spatial resolution is a highly adaptable system, specifically designed to address a broad choice of imaging requirements,” said Neil Lincoln, northern sales manager at Siemens Healthcare. “In addition to allowing radiologists to view advanced 3D rendered imaging and results from any location, the automated case preparation tools with syngo.via reduces manual intervention by automating complex, repetitive, and time-consuming
tasks.”

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