Siemens Healthineers aims to scan 1 billion patients with photon-counting-based computed tomography scanners within the next decade, bringing its unique, state-of-the-art imaging within reach of more and more communities. Over 500,000 patients¹ have been scanned with the system so far at a large installed base, in settings ranging from privately owned practices to large university hospitals, each with its unique clinical case mix. The NAEOTOM Alpha² was launched in 2021 and is still the only commercially available system with photon-counting technology cleared for clinical use. The company is investing €80 million ($86 million) to expand photon-counting CT manufacturing in Forchheim, Germany.
At RSNA 2023, Siemens Healthineers is unveiling a third wave of clinical innovations3, bringing more than 10 new functionalities aimed at further improving performance, especially in the cardiac arena. A new heart imaging reconstruction allows cardiac imagers to achieve consistent results for various detector widths. Another update further improves the performance of scans of hearts with extensive calcifications or stents – with spectral information and reconstruction of spectral results to provide even more functional insights.
“The future of CT is photon-counting. More and more clinical indications are emerging where photon-counting CT technology is uniquely positioned to help even in the most demanding settings. We are ready to move into a broader market and to take the next step in our ambition to positively impact millions of patients’ lives. Today, we are underlining our unstoppable commitment to expand our photon-counting CT portfolio within the upcoming years,” said Philipp Fischer, Head of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthineers.
Photon-counting CT technology from Siemens Healthineers has proven itself an indispensable technology in clinical routine, helping patients and physicians all around the world get answers to life-changing questions. By “counting“ each individual X-ray that passes through a patient, more detailed images with both anatomical and functional information can be acquired. Numerous cases in and beyond cardiovascular, neurovascular, and pulmonary care demonstrate the potential of photon-counting CT technology from Siemens Healthineers to provide more conclusive information to physicians. It allows them to provide conclusive diagnosis and confident therapeutic decision-making.
Aad van der Lugt, professor and head of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, said: “Photon-counting CT technology has surprised us and exceeded our expectations.” He added that the system was doing everything from fast cardiac scans to complicated neurovascular cases with occlusive disease in small intracerebral vessels, which causes 40 percent of all ischemic strokes. “The NAEOTOM Alpha at Erasmus has proven itself in multiple clinical disciplines and has caused a real discussion on what impact photon-counting could have on improving diagnosis. We are looking forward to a future where more patients can benefit from this great technology. There really is no going back4.”
Contact for journalists
Jeff Bell
Phone:+484-868-8346
E-mail: jeffrey.t.bell@siemens-healthineers.com
Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 71,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €21.7 billion. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.com.
