We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Siemens Healthineers

Provides customized electronic systems and advanced imaging, diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare IT solutions for th... read more Featured Products: More products

Download Mobile App




Novel CT Scanner Converts Photons to Images Directly

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 14 Oct 2021
Image: NAEOTOM Alpha lung image of a post COVID19 patient (R), compared to conventional CT (L) (Photo courtesy of J. Ferda/ University Hospital Plzen)
Image: NAEOTOM Alpha lung image of a post COVID19 patient (R), compared to conventional CT (L) (Photo courtesy of J. Ferda/ University Hospital Plzen)
A new computerized tomography (CT) system transforms data from X-ray photons that pass through a patient's body directly into a detailed three-dimensional (3D) image.

Unlike standard CT detectors, which convert x-rays into images in a two-step process, the Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) NAEOTOM Alpha system does not require an imaging sensor; instead, it counts photons directly using an active detection layer made of cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystals. The x-ray photons are therefore converted directly into a digital signal. X-ray and contrast medium dose can thus be substantially reduced and energy information is not lost, resulting in increased image contrast and sharpness.

In addition, the system uses two X-ray tubes and extremely short acquisition times. As a result, the examination of internal moving organs, such as the lungs and heart, is available with a previously unknown degree of accuracy. In order to handle and process the significantly higher data volumes, new approaches to data transfer and algorithms were developed, running on a powerful computing platform, allowing for the three dimensional (3D) images to be calculated and displayed in a matter of seconds.

“Thanks to the revolutionary images provided by photon-counting CTs, more people all over the world will benefit from precise and comprehensive examinations at low radiation and contrast dose, from oncological procedures and heart diagnostics to lung follow-up checks for respiratory illnesses,” stated Siemens Healthineers in a press release. “This adds a wealth of completely new clinically relevant information and improves image sharpness and contrast.”

CdTe has been studied as an energy detector material since 1960s. Its useful properties consist of a wide band gap (1.44 eV) with a high resistance (109 Ω), high atomic number (Cd: 48 and Te: 52), and high density (5.85 g/cm3) which provide better absorption characteristics. Because of the high absorption, CdTe can be applied for detection of energetic photons.

Related Links:
Siemens Healthineers

Multi-Use Ultrasound Table
Clinton
Medical Radiographic X-Ray Machine
TR30N HF
X-ray Diagnostic System
FDX Visionary-A
X-Ray Illuminator
X-Ray Viewbox Illuminators

Channels

Ultrasound

view channel
Image: The new implantable device for chronic pain management is small and flexible (Photo courtesy of The Zhou Lab at USC)

Wireless Chronic Pain Management Device to Reduce Need for Painkillers and Surgery

Chronic pain affects millions of people globally, often leading to long-term disability and dependence on opioid medications, which carry significant risks of side effects and addiction.... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: The diagnostic tool could improve diagnosis and treatment decisions for patients with chronic lung infections (Photo courtesy of SNMMI)

Novel Bacteria-Specific PET Imaging Approach Detects Hard-To-Diagnose Lung Infections

Mycobacteroides abscessus is a rapidly growing mycobacteria that primarily affects immunocompromised patients and those with underlying lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis or chronic obstructive pulmonary... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.