New Siemens CT Solutions Enable Sustainable Cardiovascular Care at SCCT ‘12

07/18/2012

Equipped with the revolutionary Stellar Detector, the SOMATOM Definition Flash and new SOMATOM Definition Edge CT offer reduced electronic noise and improved signal-to-noise ratio

Attendees at the 2012 Annual Scientific Meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), July 19-22 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, will learn how Siemens Healthcare (booth #300) facilitates “Sustainable Cardiovascular Care” with its robust portfolio of cardiac computed tomography (CT) systems and services, including the SOMATOM Definition Flash dual-source CT scanner and the new SOMATOM Definition Edge single-source CT system, both equipped with the new Stellar Detector – the first fully integrated detector that virtually eliminates electronic noise. These innovations are examples of Siemens’ approach to delivering innovative solutions that provide maximum value to customers – primary goals of the Healthcare Sector’s Agenda 2013 global initiative.

Definition Flash with Stellar Detector

Siemens has long offered a range of low-dose solutions for cardiac imaging. The SOMATOM Definition Flash, Siemens’ dual-source CT system, operates at an extremely reduced radiation dose, capable of performing a spiral heart scan with a dose of less than 1 millisevert (mSv) in a quarter of a second in clinical routine (by comparison, the average annual background radiation dose for humans worldwide is roughly 2.4 mSv).¹ And with its maximum temporal resolution of 75 ms, it freezes all cardiac motion, so clinicians need no longer require patients to hold their breath during the exam. Siemens’ CT iterative reconstruction SAFIRE² (Sinogram Affirmed Iterative Reconstruction) enables clinicians to drive down doses by up to 60 percent, while the new Stellar Detector further enhances the capabilities of the SOMATOM Definition Flash by delivering high spatial resolution, generating ultra-thin slices and providing an excellent level of sharpness in CT imaging at low levels of patient radiation. The Stellar Detector significantly reduces electronic noise and improves the signal-to-noise ratio of CT images created by the SOMATOM Definition Flash. Pediatric as well as bariatric patients may also benefit from the Stellar Detector’s noise reduction design.

Edge with Stellar Detector

Designed to meet the increasing need for more efficient and cost-effective imaging solutions in the Emergency Department (ED), where 40 percent of CT examinations are performed,³ the SOMATOM Definition Edge CT system is the first single-source CT to utilize Siemens’ Stellar Detector. The SOMATOM Definition Edge can generate extremely thin slices to deliver an extraordinarily high spatial resolution with an optimal signal-to-noise ratio and without an increase in dose. The higher spatial resolution may potentially benefit critical cases such as emergency diagnostics and cardiovascular examinations, where every additional visible micrometer can be beneficial.

The SOMATOM Definition Edge CT system can enable enhanced visualization of structures due to a spatial resolution of up to 0.30 mm, with potential improvement in image sharpness. Siemens’ fastest single-source CT scanner, the SOMATOM Definition Edge has a rotation speed as fast as 0.28 seconds, which makes it an ideal CT scanner for cardiac scanning. Additionally, the new Dual Energy scan mode enables the SOMATOM Definition Edge to scan at two different tube voltages to help physicians more accurately characterize tissue types.

The marriage of high temporal resolution with a high level of spatial resolution provided by the Stellar Detector may offer clinicians a major advantage. Since coronary arteries constantly move along with the heart, the clinician must obtain CT images at a high temporal resolution to sharpen coronary artery images. The sharpness of these provided images may improve the clinician’s ability to visualize coronary stenosis and atherosclerotic changes in plaque formations. And the high spatial resolution has the potential to improve the physician’s ability to visualize, for example, in-stent restenosis of stents smaller than 3 mm in diameter.


Launched recently by Siemens Healthcare Sector, Agenda 2013 is a two-year global initiative to further strengthen the Healthcare Sector’s innovative power and competitiveness. Specific measures will be implemented in four fields of action: Innovation, Competitiveness, Regional Footprint, and People Development.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2011 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.5 billion euros and profit of around 1.3 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

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