Ramsay Health Care UK, in conjunction with Siemens, has installed a 64-slice CT scanner into a mobile vehicle. The SOMATOM® Definition AS is a leading high-end multislice CT with uncompromising versatility. It is being used to provide a high quality CT service to eight hospitals within the Ramsay Health Care group and replaced a six-slice Siemens SOMATOM Emotion CT.
The new 64 slice scanner has extended the range of procedures now available at the Ramsay sites to include virtual colonoscopy, calcium scoring, coronary CT and orthopaedic imaging.
Every scan is acquired with 0.6mm detectors and due to Z-sharp technology, this gives spatial resolution of 0.33mm for every scan. Fast rapid acquisitions are also possible as the Straton X-ray tube allows rotation speeds of up to 0.33s and requires no cooling delays. The high temporal resolution of up to 165ms, combined with extremely fast coverage at 64 slices per rotation, delivers crystal-clear images, free of movement artifacts and showing the finest anatomical details for all examinations.
With the new CT in place, patients scanned on the Definition AS will benefit from the minimal space requirements and larger 78cm bore that easily accommodates the claustrophobic or obese. The system also actively manages the radiation dose in each examination and removes clinically unnecessary dose for every patient. This is achieved by Siemens’ unique Adaptive Dose Shield that blocks pre and post spiral dose either side of the scan range to deliver a more patient-friendly scan.
“We selected Siemens and the SOMATOM Definition AS due to the unique patient benefits that the system affords. It also met the specific clinical demands requested by our sites; we needed a 64-slice CT system that could be installed in a mobile vehicle,” said Sasha Burns, General Manager Imaging at Ramsay Health Care. “We now have a more flexible and advanced system in place that will provide a sound scanning facility for eight of our hospital sites.”
“This installation marks a milestone as the first UK installation of a 64-slice Siemens CT system in a mobile vehicle,” said Vince Golledge, Regional Sales and Corporate Business Manager at Siemens Healthcare. “Upgrading to the Definition AS will give Ramsay Health Care patients access to a leading system that will provide a more personalised and comfortable scanning experience to meet individual needs.”
The SOMATOM Definition AS is supporting eight Ramsay Health Care sites. These are Euxton Hall Hospital in Chorley, Fitzwilliam Hospital in Peterborough, New Hall Hospital in Salisbury, Nottingham Woodthorpe Hospital, Oaks Hospital in Colchester, Pinehill Hospital in Hitchin, Renacres Hospital in Ormskirk and Winfield Hospital in Gloucester.
About Siemens Healthcare
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €11.2 billion, orders of €11.8 billion, and Sector profit of €1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare.
For more information please contact:
Siemens Healthcare
T: 01276 696000
E: medmarketing.med.gb@siemens.com
W: http://www.siemens.co.uk/healthcare
