Siemens introduces dual energy applications to Somatom Definition

Siemens Healthcare has announced the granting of 510(k) market clearance of four new applications for its Somatom Definition.

The Somatom Definition uses a dual x-ray tube and dual detector design to offer imaging at twice the temporal resolution, speed and power of single-source systems.

It can provide detail of irregular heartbeat and high heart rate at half the dose of previous Siemens systems.

The four new applications are syngo DE Heart Perfusion Blood Volume (PBV), syngo DE Gout, syngo DE Lung Vessels and syngo DE Brain Haemorrhage.

These join the existing six applications for the product, which are synge DE Direct Angio, syngo DE Lung PBV, syngo DE Musculoskeletal, syngo DE Calculi Characterisation, sungo DE Hardplaque and sungo DE Virtual Unenhanced.

Peter Kingma, vice-president of computed tomography (CT) at Siemens Medical Solutions USA, said: “The Somatom Definition moves CT to an entirely new dimension of diagnostic sensitivity where contrast in the image is not merely limited to x-ray attenuation differences, but may include elements of functional and tissue characterisation.”

He added that this additional information can be used to simplify previously complex workflows and enhance diagnostic outcomes, adding extra convenience to the diagnostic tool.

Last month, Siemens Healthcare confirmed the first installation of its Biograph 6 TrePoint PET/CT systems for use in mobile vehicles by InHealth Molecular Imaging Solutions.