Hospital first in area to install world’s first Adaptive CT Scanner

Community Memorial Hospital will soon be installing the first CT scanner that adapts to virtually any patient and clinical need. The system is suitable for routine diagnostic work and complex examinations including oncology and neurology. CMH is the first hospital in the immediate area to install this ground breaking technology.

The SOMATOM Definition AS provides a fast and accurate diagnosis making the system highly suitable for emergency situations, such as accidents and things such as strokes, where a swift course of treatment can be life saving. It also speeds up examinations for traditionally difficult patients such as children, the obese and those suffering from claustrophobia, thereby alleviating potentially stressful situations and still ensuring the highest diagnostic confidence.

The SOMATOM Definition AS is the first scanner to combine dynamic components that allow fast and problem-free head-to-foot scanning, even for multi trauma patients. The unique Adaptive Dose Shield blocks unnecessary radiation ensuring the patient will only be exposed to a clinically relevant dose.

The unequalled high temporal resolution of up to 150 ms, combined with extremely fast coverage with up to 64 slices per rotation, delivers crystal-clear images, free of movement artifacts and showing the finest anatomical details. This permits, for example, highly accurate measurement of stenosis and/or precise planning for stent implantation.

Another outstanding feature is the new Adaptive 4D-Spiral. The continuous movement of the patient table permits a larger area to be imaged so that entire organs and functions can be examined with a single scan. In a stroke situation, the entire brain perfusion can be displayed, whereas with previous systems, only a portion of the affected organ could be imaged.

“We hope to diagnose strokes earlier than ever before. The earlier we get the patient to therapy, the better,” said Wendy Webster, Manager of Radiology.

Minimal invasive procedures will also become faster and more certain. Biopsies of suspicious tumor tissues can, for the first time, be performed with the help of 3D image guidance. Accurate needle positioning will therefore become a clinical routine.

The enormous flexibility of the SOMATOM Definition AS decisively improves workflow and facilitates the integration of CT-imaging into the clinical care process in virtually all clinical and patient situations. “A SOMATOM Definition CT scanner transforms itself into a stroke unit, a therapy management tool for cancer patients, or an interventional suite – all according to the need of the individual patient,” said Bernd Montag, President, Siemens Medical Solutions, CT Division. ”All of these advances work to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare while keeping the costs down.”

The SOMATOM Definition As will be up and running by the end of 2008. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call 618-635-4305.