At RSNA this week in Chicago, Siemens is unveiling its next generation dual source CT system, the SOMATOM Force. Compared to earlier systems, the SOMATOM Force allows for much faster scanning and scanning at a much lower radiation dose. Additionally, it allows for major reductions in administered contrast medium, beneficial in patients with reduced renal function.

The SOMATOM Force touts to have the industry’s fastest acquisition rate of 737 mm per second, allowing a scan of the chest and abdomen in just one second. In many cases this will mean that a breath-hold is not necessary to acquire sharp images, and patients with high heart rates can be imaged without motion artefacts. There is also an enlarged field of view (50 centimeters) when running the Turbo Flash Mode that can speed up pulmonary studies.

For lung scans, the scanner should be able to scan at up to a 50% reduced radiation dose compared to similar systems by using two special spectral filters known as Selective Photon Shields that optimize the X-ray spectrum to improve the air/soft-tissue contrast (0.1 mSv for a lung scan should be possible according to preliminary studies).

Reduction in contrast medium dose is made possible by the two Vectron X-ray tubes, which enable routine examinations at very low tube voltages of 70 to 100 kilovolts. Due to the low tube voltage, contrast-to-noise ratio is increased and contrast medium volume can be reduced. Initial studies indicated a 25 and 35 mL of contrast sufficed for chest scans compared to the commonly administered 90 to 110 mL.

source:Siemens