Siemens Healthcare is introducing the Somatom Definition Flash, a CT scanner that will set new standards regarding speed and dose reduction, in the Middle East.

The scanner requires only a fraction of the radiation dose that systems previously required, to scan even the tiniest anatomical details faster than ever before.

The Somatom is a new Dual-Source CT from Siemens, featuring two X-ray tubes that simultaneously revolve around the patient's body. The fastest scanning speed in CT (i.e., 43 cm/s) and a temporal resolution of 75 ms, enable for example complete scans of the entire chest region in just 0.6 seconds.

Thus, patients are no longer required to hold their breath during the exam the way they had in the past. At the same time, the scanner operates at an extremely reduced radiation dose. For example, a FlashSpiral heart scan can be performed with less than 1 millisievert (mSv), whereas the average effective dose required for this purpose usually ranges from 8 mSv to 40 mSv.

Siemens will launch its new CT scanner in the Middle East at Arab Health 2009 which will be held from January 26 to 29, in Dubai.

'The Somatom Definition Flash is not only the world's fastest CT scanner, but also the one with the lowest radiation exposure. Siemens has always given top priority to radiation dose reduction in the course of CT development,' stated Dr Sami Atiya, chief executive officer of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthcare.-TradeArabia News Service