SOMATOM Definition AS from Siemens Healthcare

Introduced during last year’s Radiological Society of North America meeting in Chicago, the SOMATOM Definition AS from Siemens Healthcare, Malvern, Pa, last month received FDA clearance.

A CT scanner with the ability to adapt to patients, the Definition AS comes in multiple configurations that are tailored to a hospital’s workflow. Company reps say the scanner can transform into a stroke unit, a noninvasive cath lab, a therapy management tool for cancer patients, or an interventional suite, depending on the needs of the patient. Furthermore, the unit addresses a facility’s potential space constraints with its 18-m2 footprint.

The Visible Difference

Dubbed by the company as the world’s first adaptive scanner, the SOMATOM Definition AS adapts to virtually any patient, adapts for complete dose protection, and adapts for new dimensions. Adaptive Dose Shield technology is designed to eliminate overradiation dynamically by blocking the unnecessary dose before and after the spiral scan. This feature aims to ensure that the dose applied to the patient is clinically relevant. Moreover, the Definition AS is equipped with a unique Adaptive 4D Spiral mode, which offers functional imaging of whole organs.

It also allows Siemens to offer dynamic information of up to 27 cm, beyond simple perfusion and into phase contrast CT.

The Spec Sheet

  1. 200-cm scan range
  2. 300-msec rotation time
  3. 78-cm gantry bore
  4. Ability to add a 660-pound patient table
  5. Available in 40-slice, 64-slice, and 128-slice configurations
  6. 18-m2 footprint
  7. Real-time 3D guidance