Technology

India's first dual source CT installed in Breach Candy Hospital

The system to usher in a new era in medical imaging

Siemens Medical Solutions installed Somatom Definition, the world's first dual source computed tomography (CT) system at Mumbai's Breach Candy Hospital, thus making it the first medical institute in India to offer the most advanced CT technology. This state-of-the-art system was inaugurated by Dr Erich Reinhardt, CEO and President of Siemens Medical Solutions and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens AG.

Somotom Definition enables advanced applications in the area of acute care, cardiology, neurology and oncology. It is the world's first and the only system with a unique configuration of having two X-Ray sources and two sets of detectors. This unique and award winning design has helped to speed up the acquisition time for cardiac imaging by over 100 per cent as compared to single source based CT scanners. Besides enabling twice the speed, the dual source has opened a new set of possibilities of CT imaging with its unique dual energy mode.

Amongst the many possibilities, with dual energy, users are confident of doing tissue and fluid characterisation, and direct subtraction of bony structures from the images.

During the launch of Somatom Definition

Most importantly, patients need not be medicated with beta blockers to slow down their heart rates, as the system is capable of imaging patients with heart rates of even upto 120 bpm. Patients with arrhythmic heart conditions can also be scanned for cardiac imaging without any limitations. The Somotom Definition delivers 50 per cent lower dose as compared to current scanners. Such lower levels of dose combined with the ability to scan very high heart rates make it the preferred choice when doctors need to scan pediatric patients for studying some cardiac congenital anomalies.

Said Dr Reinhardt, “India is one of the top five healthcare markets for Siemens and we are very happy with our level of engagement in this market.”

"That we are the first institution in India to install the world's most advanced CT System furthers our commitment to offer the very best in diagnostics and therapy to our patients," stated K M Gherda, Chairman, Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai.

EH Bureau