Hospitals are currently experiencing a surge of COVID-19 patients. Because of this, hospitals are looking to expand their radiology imaging capabilities quickly. Various computed tomography systems vendors are now offering semi-permanent configurations to meet the demands. Some of these systems come packaged in shipping containers to allow mobility.
When COVID-19 increased the demand for imaging capability in Paris, France during the spring earlier this year, GE Healthcare designed a prefabricated structure that can house a CT system just outside of the Henri-Mondor Hospital in Créteil. This temporary structure contained what GE Healthcare engineers call “CT in a Box.”
The additional facility improved the hospital’s assessment of disease progression and complications in COVID-19 patients and enhanced patient flow in the hospital. The “CT in a box” was dedicated to COVID-19 patients, which allowed a specific flow for them.
GE Healthcare initially deployed the technology in China and the UAE at the beginning of the outbreak. Clinicians in China’s pop-up and remote hospitals needed CT scans to help them spot complications earlier. The situation gave rise to the idea of “CT in a Box,” an easy-to-install modular machine that can provide the same functions as traditional, building-installed CT scanners. They used their experiences to develop the idea further and adapted it to the specific needs of clinicians dealing with COVID-19 patients.
The challenging part of building the “CT in a Box” was not fitting the CT machine inside but replicating the safe and controlled environment of a hospital CT room. Traditional CT rooms in hospitals lead-shielded walls and thick windows so technicians and clinicians can safely observe the patient and operate the machine. While the small doses of radiation patients receive during the process of imaging, the prolonged exposure of clinicians and technicians puts them at risk.
Another real challenge is maintaining a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit in the room. Hospital CT rooms have sophisticated HVAC systems that ensure the optimal temperature is achieved.
“CT in a Box” has proven to be an excellent addition to the hospital’s ability to treat its patients. There’s a clinical consensus that CT scans are vital for assessing disease progression and detect complications in COVID-19 patients.
The module is capable of accommodating one patient per hour, even though the actual scanning can be completed in a matter of seconds. Technicians need a lot of time to fully sanitize the exam room and prep the patients. But the additional number of patients examined is not the only benefit of these modular CT scanners. The improved patient flow across the hospital, as well as relieving the pressure on existing CT scanners, have a tremendous impact.
There has been a steady increase in demand for computerized tomography (CT) scan machines ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The machines have proven to be potent equipment in differentiating pneumonia that is caused by COVID-19 from other possible triggers. Additionally, CT scan machines can also be utilized to check how far the disease has progressed in the human body.
The ability of CT scans to differentiate COVID-induced cases of pneumonia from other types can considerably help the progress of treating patients (e.g. immediate isolation) even before their RT-PCR tests confirm that they are COVID-positive. However, this does not mean that CT scan results can be a complete substitute when it comes to identifying COVID-positive patients.
The pneumonia scores provided by CT scans can also help determine which patients need immediate help. This becomes more important during the pandemic, as more hospitals and medical facilities are experiencing shortages in ventilators and other equipment. Being able to determine which patients need to be prioritized can help medical professionals to make better clinical decisions, especially when there is a surge of incoming patients.
CT scan machines are more exposed to virus particles because of how the machine is used, which means that a couple of spare machines may be needed by some facilities in order to lower their backlog due to repetitive disinfection of each machine every time a patient uses it. For larger hospitals, buying more units makes sense because it would certainly be more efficient now that more patients need them.
Large manufacturing companies like Siemens Healthineers are used to selling over 200 CT scan machines annually. The coronavirus outbreak has prompted a significant rise in demand for CT scan equipment, as Siemens reported sales of 80-100 units in just 45 days. Vivek Kanade, executive vice-president of Siemens Healthineers-India, believes that this surge is caused by the fact that the machines can also calculate the medical score of patients with pneumonia, which could help in determining the type of treatment that the patient would need.
Wipro GE Healthcare has also seen a similar increase in demand for their CT scan machines. To make up for the surge, they have increased their production of mobile X-ray machines at their Bengaluru site, with 60-70 percent of the products targeted at sites where CT services did not exist before.
Shravan Subramanyam, managing director of Wipro GE Healthcare-South Asia, speculates that the increase in demand for CT scan machines may be related to a higher demand for treatment of other diseases, as many people have become more aware of the importance of their health during the pandemic. Additionally, a lot of people deferred on going to the hospital for treatment due to fear of the pandemic. As such, the increase in demand for CT scan machines may continue even after the pandemic, not just for patients who have been infected by the coronavirus, but also for individuals who wish to improve their general health.
Since the development of Computerized Tomography (CT) in 1972, CT has always been a software-driven imaging modality.
Medical imaging equipment manufacturers such as GE, Siemens, Philips, Hitachi, and Toshiba/Canon have all developed vendor-specific software platforms along with manufacture specific terminology and technology which must be mastered in order to operate the systems effectively and safely for both the patient and operator.
The difference in the vendor-specific terminology is confusing to most newer CT Technologists, as well as the difference in software and hardware.
The issues arise with the way CT Imaging Technologists are trained to use the systems. Most technologists are trained by other technologists at the facility. Most were trained by someone else who had a varying degree of knowledge regarding proper system operation.
This “Shoulder to Shoulder” style of training leads to incomplete training and a technologist who knows barely enough to get by. Training of this style can be a liability to the patient and the facility.
Often times, the technologist doing the training will withhold information about a specific system operation so that they are perceived by management to be the “expert” and are of more value to a facility. This can hinder any exam from the basic to the more advanced procedures, frustrating many radiologists. This can lead to a catastrophe in an ‘on-call” situation when the ER has to wait for another technologist to come in because the one who is there is not well trained.
Some of the lucky few technologists are chosen by a facility to attend the manufactures training facility. This initial training is then followed by a week or two of onsite training.
Onsite training is meant to adapt the system to the customer’s facility and assure proper system function and acceptable image quality with the radiologist.
The same technologist who went to the training academy should also be attending the subsequent weeks of OEM training to further their knowledge of system operation.
Training which should include not only scan protocol building and basic patient scanning but the advanced procedures and software applications applicable to the system purchased by the facility.
This could include Cardiac Angiography and Function Analysis, Digital Subtraction Software, Brain Perfusion and Dual Energy imaging techniques and CT Fluoroscopy to mention a few.
Since some of the advanced applications require additional training, manufacturers sometimes provide a course at their training facility. However not all clinical applications can be taught effectively at a training facility without actual patients to scan, for example CT Flouro, CT Angiography, Cardiac, Brain Perfusion, and Dual Energy.
For onsite training, patients are required for the exams and may be in very limited supply. Often times, facility budget and time constraints leave the staff as a group of “Button Pushers”, and not well trained. Staff duties should be delegated so as to allow for the full training experience. If not, then the outcome is that not everyone is trained to the same level of expertise.
Staff will leave one facility for a better position, better pay, better hours, better training or a better location, taking the knowledge, and sometimes the training materials given to them for the site, with them. This can also leave a facility with a system that is not being utilized to its fullest potential.
Staff technologists who are well trained are happier on the job. They have the respect of their peers, administration, staff physicians, and patients.
By contrast, those with a lack of training are often classified as button pushers, doing nothing but the most routine scanning having to call in a more experienced technologist to complete the challenging studies, CTA, Cardiac CTA, Perfusion.
This leads to a delay in diagnosis and service to a patient. Technologists often get into the same rut at a facility because the equipment is used past its prime and often not replaced with state of the art systems that have more capability, lower patient exposure, and better image quality with advanced imaging protocols.
These are the staff who leave a facility, for better working conditions, training and pay. Proper applications training will lead to a happier and more productive staff with less turnover, especially with older systems and an untrained staff.
There are many pros to ongoing applications training, some of which are more notable than others. A well-educated staff leads to more complete exams for the reading radiologist and reduces the chance that a patient will be recalled to evaluate a hepatic filling defect or to obtain a proper early arterial phase in a tri-phasic study to evaluate for metastatic disease, or a delay image for contrast filling defect not seen by the Technologist who should review images prior to completing an exam.
This leads to an overall lower cost to the facility. Clinical Applications can review the staff’s operational workflow and offer recommendations for workflow enhancement so that the staff is working smarter and not harder.
Clinical Applications can assure your staff is operating with best clinical practices, assist your reading radiologist with issues regarding image quality, patient exposure, contrast timing, and the development of new imaging protocols and techniques which make diagnosis more accurate. An Applications Specialists can act as a lesion between the CT staff, management, and the Radiologist ensuring an effective educational experience for all your staff.
I recommend that an imaging department budget include clinical applications on-site support at a minimum of every two years. This continuing support is necessary, not only for the CT technologists, but for the physicians and patients as well.
This can be even more critical in a short term lease of imaging equipment, especially when the equipment is different from what the staff is currently using.
Clinical applications support can train your staff answering all their questions regarding system operation, assist with building scanning protocols, train them with the latest imaging software upgrades and suggest workflow modifications to enhance department productivity and patient experience.
Clinical applications support can handle issues with the radiologist regarding missed contrast timing, image quality, and system artifacts which affect their experience with the system.
This can improve transition time to a new system if the leased mobile is from the same OEM as a new system is installed, even though the software may be different or has more enhanced upgrades. At times you need a service engineer, at times your need applications support. They go hand in hand.
Here at Catalina Imaging, our goal is to create an experience that goes beyond your expectations, and applications support is just another way we can enhance that experience. Please feel free to contact us and see what we can do for you.
CT Scanners are a staple in any healthcare facility. It is essential to help diagnose a patient accurately. Simply put, Computerized Tomography scanning is necessary because:
They detect bone and joint problems
They spot cancer, heart disease, emphysema, liver mass
They show internal injuries and bleeding
They locate blood clots, excess fluid, infection, and/or tumors
The list goes on and on. And ideally, a healthcare facility should have a scanner or two, but not all may be able to afford their regular maintenance.
But there may be seasons of high demand, and so additional capacity, by means of mobile CT rentals, may be taken into consideration.
At a time like now when there is a COVID-19 pandemic — while the topic is a hot subject of debate — CT scans may provide some assistance in the early detection or correct diagnosis of the condition. The matter is a double-edged sword, though, and medical professionals are still weighing the pros versus the cons.
How much will a Mobile CT Rental Cost?
When all reasons and factors have been considered, all you now need to know is the Cost of a Mobile CT Rental. Factors that will contribute are:
1. The length of the rent, if it will be monthly or annually
2. The capability of the machine. Depending on a given brand and the features built into a given CT machine.
Please email info@catalinaimaging or give us a call for a Mobile CT Quote
3. Aside from the rent, there are riders like:
The refundable security deposit
The transportation to and from your healthcare facility
The installation and de-installation fees
The cleaning and maintenance fees
It would be wise to study your contract very closely. In some cases, a lease may be the better option.
Why Rent a Mobile CT Machine?
There are a number of reasons why Mobile CT Rental may be the best choice for a healthcare facility. As mentioned earlier, there may be seasons of high demand, and the staple CT machine may not be enough to service all the patients.
There are renovations in your facility and the scanning may need to be done in a temporary space.
The facility’s scanner is starting to show signs of wear and tear and you want to test a new scanner for a possible upgrade.
If you are deciding whether or not to get another scanner for your facility and you want to see if two machines can be maximized.
If your facility is used as a training or continuing education course and you need a machine for demonstration purposes without disrupting regular operations.
If your facility needs to catch up on patient backlog especially at a time like now when there is a pandemic and further testing is necessary for some cases.
In the case of a facility with multiple branches, a rented mobile CT can go from branch to branch on certain days of the week to help service patients.
If you are not allowed to purchase a new machine but you can manage the rental fee in your operating budget.
Other Considerations for a Mobile CT Rental
Do not forget the importance of customer support. Choose a company that provides it 24/7; that provides added data for you; that provides insured equipment, and that offers training to your radiologists and technicians in the use of their machine.
Technology is not only updated but also state of the art. Get your money’s worth with Mobile CT Machines from GE, Toshiba, and Siemens.
Rent from Catalina Imaging
Ron Wright founded Catalina Imaging 30 years ago based on the principle of face-to-face customer contact. Understanding the urgency of maintaining equipment uptime was experienced firsthand. This experience is the foundation of Catalina Imaging today: personnel are familiar with the engineering and workings of our Mobile CT units.
Catalina Imaging also provides:
Customized reliable equipment to support your clinical needs
Customer support 24/7
Affordability
Site assistance, pre-planning, and set-up
Transportation and on-time delivery
Systems that meet OEM specifications or greater
Equipment and trailer service maintenance
Information such as current physicist surveys
Trailers licensed through DOH
Fully insured equipment
Applications training (additional fees may apply)
We are there for you and with you in every step of the Mobile CT rental process, from planning your CT rental to the end of the lease. Delivery, set up, and maintenance of your Mobile CT units are not a problem because we are always there with you. We are also just a call away any time issues come up — and we mean it.
We go above and beyond simply delivering and maintaining your Mobile CT Units.
How much does a Mobile CT Rental cost? At the cost of saving a life, it is absolutely priceless. Rent from the company that will make sure you have all the support you need. Rent from Catalina Imaging.
Experience our Mobile CT Scanner right now inside our mobile imaging unit. We leave you with this video:
A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a life-saving, minimally invasive procedure that treats aortic stenosis, a type of heart valve disease. TAVR replaces a narrowed aortic valve, usually in cases of aortic valve stenosis where said valve fails to open properly.
The replacement valve may be made of human or animal tissue. Most importantly, the procedure does not require open-heart surgery and the entire procedure typically only takes a couple of hours.
What Happens In Cases of Aortic Stenosis?
A quick review: the main role of the human heart is to make sure the necessary amount of blood reaches various parts of the body so that it can continue performing optimally.
To help circulate the blood and direct blood flow, there are valves in our heart which are the pulmonary valve, tricuspid valve, aortic valve, and mitral valve. They all have different functions, but just like any other machine, some parts of it may break down or need to have maintenance or have some of it replaced.
Of these four, the aortic valve is most subject to narrowing given its thin tissue composition. Once this narrowing, also called stenosis, starts, the aortic valve begins to have difficulty opening to its full extent.
This narrowing causes the heart to double its effort in pumping enough blood to the body, which eventually weakens the heart muscle due to overwork.
Once aortic stenosis turns critical, the patient might start to exhibit chest pain, difficulty in breathing, and possibly fainting. It is important to get medical assistance as soon as one of these symptoms show to avoid life-threatening consequences later.
What Causes The Aortic Valve To Narrow?
Aortic stenosis occurs when the heart’s aortic valve thickens and calcifies. The valve does not open fully and blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body is limited.
If you experience fainting, chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, fatigue, and shortness of breath, you may have aortic valve stenosis.
This is what happens when the valve narrows and the flow of blood are diminished.
Who Might Need to Undergo Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement?
Aortic stenosis is a common diagnosis among the elderly, affecting over two million people in the US alone. Most cases are caused by calcium buildup in the valve due to old age, and these patients do not show symptoms until they reach 70 or above.
In some instances, however, people can develop aortic stenosis as a complication from congenital heart defects or rheumatic fever. If left untreated, this condition can lead to infections in the heart, blood clots, strokes, and ultimately, heart failure.
Getting regular check-ups will significantly help to monitor the valves’ condition, and early detection will also positively affect the results of treatment.
Treating Aortic Stenosis
It was in 2002 that the first TAVR procedure was carried out successfully and it continuously developed thanks to technology, technique, and experience.
Before, general anesthesia was used in Europe between 2002 and 2008, but after a few studies, local anesthesia with conscious sedation was the default in TAVR surgeries.
Also, initially, surgical cut down was used to carry out the procedure, but over the past few years, percutaneous closure was adopted because it was less invasive and posed lower risks. In addition to this, CT scan or angiography is also used now to check the common femoral artery site before the procedure, and during the TAVR surgery, while the puncture is being done.
The treatment for aortic stenosis depends on the severity of the case.
For patients showing mild stenosis, there is no required treatment yet and they can still proceed normally with their daily activities. Since aortic stenosis is a progressive condition, they will still need to undergo regular monitoring to make sure that if their case gets worse, they can receive due and proper care.
Meanwhile, patients with moderate stenosis should refrain from undergoing strenuous physical actions like running, weightlifting, and core-heavy exercises. They will also need to take annual medical evaluations, as further medication might be necessary depending on the status of the aortic valve.
For instance, there are cases wherein patients will be given antibiotics if valve infection is found.
When aortic stenosis reaches severe status, the most effective way of treatment is to completely replace the affected valve.
CT Scanners and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
There were limited options for valve replacement before. Most of these operations were done using open-heart surgery, wherein doctors will make a surgical opening in the middle of the chest to gain access to the heart. They will then take out the narrowed valve and replace it with a new one.
However, John Hopkins Medicine claims that this procedure can be dangerous for people with advanced age or underlying conditions like diabetes, kidney or lung disease, previous heart operations, or stroke history. In such cases, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) might be better suited for the patient.
TAVR provides beneficial treatment options to people who may not have been considered for valve replacement. The procedure is available to patients in all risk categories.
However, might be too risky for patients to undergo the procedure if they have the following conditions:
Advanced age
Chronic obstructive lung disease
Diabetes
Kidney disease
Large calcium deposits in blood vessel
Previous heart surgery
Radiation treatment to the chest
Stroke history
Weaker heart
Preparing for the TAVR Procedure
In TAVR, there is less risk because the doctors will not have to open the chest at all. Prior to surgery, the medical team will use a computed tomography scan (a CT scan) to create an image of the heart.
Recommendations for the sizing and reporting of the aortic valve, annulus, and outflow tract are diagnosed by the CT scanner, as well as reporting of fluoroscopic angulation, vascular access, coronary artery, and even non-cardiac, non-vascular findings. These are essential in determining what is needed during TAVR.
These scans will help them evaluate the heart’s condition and map out a way to the valve.
As with any other major surgery, one will need to be prepared for transcatheter aortic valve replacement. You will need to do the following:
Full medical check (x-rays, CT scans, blood tests)
Echocardiogram
Cardiac catheterization
For the food and drug restrictions:
All the drugs you’re currently taking should be communicated to your healthcare provider
If you’re a smoker, you will need to stop a few days before your surgery, so mention this to your healthcare provider
The midnight before your surgery, stop eating and drinking
The Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Procedure
In a TAVR procedure, a new valve is inserted without removing the old, damaged valve. The new valve is placed inside the diseased valve.
Usually, valve replacement requires an open-heart procedure with a “sternotomy”, in which the chest is surgically separated (opened) for the procedure. This isn’t the case anymore with TAVR, which is favorable for more patients.
During operation, a small incision will be made, normally in the groin area, for the doctor to insert a catheter– a thin, flexible tube– into the femoral artery (a transfemoral approach). Sometimes, the doctor may opt to enter via a small incision in the chest and entering through a large artery in the chest or through the tip of the left ventricle (the apex), which is known as the transapical approach.
Other places the catheter may enter, depending on the best place in the patient’s body are the abdomen, neck, and between the ribs. The new valve will be guided through this catheter and into the heart to replace the old one.
Once the new valve is positioned, a balloon on the catheter’s tip is inflated to expand the replacement valve into the appropriate position. Some valves can expand without the use of a balloon.
When your doctor is certain the valve is securely in place, the catheter is removed. The mobile CT scanner pre- and post-procedure ensures the best outcome of the TAVR.
Post-Operation Uses of Mobile CT Scanners
Afterward, new scans and X-rays will be taken to ensure that the newly installed valve is working properly. Mobile CT scanners are popular and often used by patients because they are easily accessible and convenient. With state-of-the-art multi-slice imaging and highly customizable applications, mobile CT scanners often help with recommendations for the reporting of TAVR scans.
Patients do not have to leave the comfort of their homes or even just the ICU and instead can have a mobile scanner brought right to them, guaranteeing access, ease, and an optimal TAVR procedure.
Patients who have gone through a TAVR procedure will be taken to the ICU for 12 to 24 hours for close monitoring. In some cases, this may not be done for patients with lower risks. An early discharge may also be granted to those with special cases.
Note, however, that despite being less invasive, TAVR is not without risks, so it is best for patients to discuss all concerns, options, and scenarios with a doctor first before undergoing the procedure.
Advances in CT Technology
According to Dr. Hasan Jilaihawi (MD), the procurement of CT scans in TAVR procedures provides a full-body and four-dimensional (4D) visual of the assessment that can be analyzed remotely.
The CT technology enabled rapid imaging results with the higher spatial and temporal resolution, lower doses of contrast, and radiation compared to the routine echocardiography.
In terms of the annular sizing, the previous procedure called transthoracic echocardiography or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was based on 2D measurements. This procedure is associated with paravalvular regurgitation or leak.
Recent medical discoveries claim that the aortic annulus was noncircular, meaning a 2D representation was thus deemed unreliable for correct measurements.
A study published in the US National Library of Medicine: National Institutes of Health examined 35 TAVR patients regarding the clinical outcomes during their hospitalization and a year after the procedure.
These patients experienced the complication of the abnormal communication between the implanted valve and the cardiac tissue which generates a turbulent blood flow that can result to calcification or fragility of the valvular ring; infective endocarditis (IE); technical difficulties associated with suturing; prosthetic size and shape; previous mitral valve regurgitation; acute myocardial infarction; and Marfan’s syndrome.
A Final Word
With the experts’ opinion and published studies regarding the clinical consequences of using a CT scan for TAVR procedures, the next big thing for clinics, small hospitals, and private imaging centers is the mobile CT scan.
A network of facilities can lease a single mobile CT scan which further reduces the upfront cost in owning one. Aside from lesser cost in initial investment, leasing or renting a mobile CT scan assures that the patient will have all their needs at the center’s disposal.
In some cases, the patient has to transfer to another facility to obtain a CT scan procedure and results. This is avoided when the facility has leased a mobile CT scan.
Using a mobile CT scan reduces the backlog when the machine has a dysfunction, it can be replaced with another leased unit in the soonest time possible. This avoids complications in patients with urgent care needs.
In conclusion, the convenience and efficiency of mobile CT scans can save a lot of time and money for a facility, in turn, better patient care and human resource improvement will be invested more of.
Recent literature in radiology suggests that CT scanners may play an important role in the diagnosis of COVID-19.
In a recent article published in The Lancet, a team of researchers has observed that almost all of the confirmed COVID-19 cases under their care also had CT findings of pneumonia.
These medical researchers, working with coronavirus patients in Wuhan, China, have found that 97% of their 1,014 patients with RT-PCR-confirmed diagnoses also had observed lung opacities on CT— a notable manifestation of pneumonia. In their report, the medical researchers have concluded that “CT imaging has high sensitivity for diagnosis of COVID-19”.
This is particularly welcome news, especially with shortages of real-time RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction), so far one of the most effective and accurate laboratory methods for detecting, tracking, and studying the coronavirus.
Further Investigation Needed
Meanwhile, another group of researchers has had less optimistic observations.
A team that had reviewed the CT scans of 112 cases of RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship reported that only 61%– or less than two-thirds– of cases exhibited pneumonia. Furthermore, 20% of symptomatic patients had negative CTs.
So while CT scans do show promise in the diagnosis of COVID-19, these results should not be overstated, cautioned The Lancet.
“The CT findings studied (e.g., ground-glass opacity, consolidation, etc.) are not specific for COVID-19. Similar results would probably be found if CT were used during an influenza epidemic, for example.”
Bringing A.I. Into The Picture
Meanwhile, a medical devices company based in Huizhou, China is exploring the possibility of using an AI-powered imaging solution to aid in the detection of COVID-19
Huiying Medical, a member of Intel’s AI Builders program, claims to have developed the solution’s underpinning algorithms based on data from CT chest scans from over 4,000 coronavirus cases.
Huiying’s solution analyzes what’s known as ground-glass opacity (GGO) in the lungs, which indicates a partial filling of air spaces, as well as other indicators that inform a probability of suspected COVID-19 infection.
Huiying asserts that its solution should be useful in regions of the world without access to real-time RT-PCR. It only takes a day to install and only 2-3 seconds to process CT studies with 500 images.
Moreover, it has a claimed 96% novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) classification rate, and it’s designed to work either in the cloud or on-premises.
Through a partnership with Huawei, Huiying has already reached out to many other health professionals and institutions. The new AI-enabled imaging solution is now being used in over 20 hospitals, including those in Ecuador and in the Philippines.
Promising, But Needs More Work
The Lancet stresses that, despite its limitations, RT-PCR is still the accepted standard and only positive in patients who are infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.
While advancements in CT technology and research shows promise, the medical journal cautions using published guidelines regarding the use of CT imaging– at least for now.
CT findings in patients with COVID-19 are seen with numerous pathogens and in many non-infectious aetiologies. “Using CT diagnostically is not known to provide clinical benefit and could lead to false security if results are negative,” warns Michael Hope of The Lancet.
“If COVID-19 is suspected, patients should be isolated pending confirmation with (multiple) RT-PCR tests,” he stressed, “or until quarantine has lapsed. The results of a CT scan do not change this.”
Recommendations From The CDC and the ACR
Currently, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) does not currently recommend CXR (chest radiographs) or CT to diagnose COVID-19.
The American College of Radiology (ACR) has its own supporting recommendations for the use of computed tomography (CT) and chest radiography for suspected COVID-19 infections.
Even if radiologic findings are suggestive of COVID-19 on CT, confirmation with the viral test is still required. As such, viral testing remains the only specific method of diagnosis.
In the meantime, until more widespread COVID-19 testing is available, some medical practices are requesting chest CT to inform decisions on whether to test a patient for COVID-19, admit a patient or provide other treatment as an interim measure.
As such, facilities may consider deploying portable radiography units in ambulatory care facilities for use when CXRs are considered medically necessary. The surfaces of these machines can be easily cleaned, avoiding the need to bring patients into radiography rooms.
While locally constrained resources may be a factor in decision making, a normal CT should not dissuade a patient from being quarantined or provided other clinically indicated treatment when otherwise medically appropriate.
Mobile CT Scanners By Catalina Imaging
Catalina Imaging is committed to providing the highest quality solutions by specializing in mobile CT scanners using state-of-the-art Siemens, GE, and Toshiba/Canon technology.
The CT scanners we use in our trailers are the best available from GE, Toshiba, and Siemens. Depending on your needs you’ll receive GE’s Lightspeed VCT64 with ASiR, Toshiba’s Aquilion 16 MultiSlice Computerized Tomography Scanner, or one of our Siemens mobile CT units.
For details and more information about our mobile CT scanners, give our Catalina Imaging team a call today at (844) 949-1664.
Burnout is almost twice as common among physicians compared to other US workers. The burnout rate varies widely by specialty and radiologists are right at the average with 45% reporting symptoms of burnout.
According to the Medscape Radiologist Lifestyle, Happiness, & Burnout Report 2019, only 25% of radiologists consider themselves to be very or extremely happy in their jobs, while 53% are very or extremely happy outside their jobs. This discrepancy between workplace and personal happiness is startling, and it may reflect the burnout experienced by many radiologists.
What is Burnout?
According to the Mayo Clinic, burnout is a type of work-related stress that is “a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.”
This type of job-related burnout may have devastating effects on both your physical and mental health. Radiologists experiencing burnout may feel a lack of motivation for their jobs, which may lead to a lack of compassion or care when working with patients. Eventually, they may even struggle with remembering why they entered the medical field.
Signs of Burnout
There are some specific signs to look for to determine if you experiencing burnout. Ask yourself the following questions to see if this may be happening to you.
Have you become cynical about your work or impatient or critical with co-workers or patients?
Do you have difficulty concentrating and being productive?
Have you experienced physical symptoms, such as a loss of energy, a change in sleep habits, unexplained headaches, intestinal problems, or other physical problems?
Do you feel disillusioned or dissatisfied with your work?
Do you use food, alcohol, or drugs as an escape mechanism?
Causes of Burnout for Radiologists
It may be common for radiologists to experience a feeling of disconnection in the workplace. Due to the nature of the job, they may not have many opportunities for interaction with patients or their referring physicians.
According to Cheri L. Canon, MD, FACR Chair of Radiology at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, the reading room can also be an isolating environment, which may lead to radiologists feeling cut-off from their patients and colleagues.
A variety of factors contribute to burnout, including the following:
Working excessive hours or lack of work/life balance.
Lack of respect from administrators and co-workers.
Feeling like a cog in a wheel.
Lack of control.
Bureaucratic tasks, such as excessive paperwork.
Insufficient compensation.
Emphasis on profits over patients.
Government regulations.
Increase in digital recordkeeping, such as EHRs, which may be timeconsuming and distracting.
Lack of respect from patients.
How do Radiologists Cope with Burnout?
According to the Medscape Report, 54 percent of radiologists use exercise to cope with burnout, 41% talk with family members or close friends, 36% sleep, and 35% listen to music. These are all healthy techniques that may be helpful in dealing with burnout.
Unfortunately, some radiologists engage in more destructive behaviors to cope, such as isolating themselves from others, eating junk food, binge eating, drinking alcohol, smoking, and using marijuana or prescription drugs. These coping mechanisms may lead to health problems and make the situation worse.
How to Prevent and Overcome Burnout
Individual physicians have varying levels of how much stress they can tolerate, and what one sees as burnout, another may see as a normal amount of stress or fatigue. It’s important to remember that not everyone handles the physical, emotional, or mental stress of burnout in the same way, but there are some things you can do to help alleviate the stress of burnout.
Find and address any sources of job dissatisfaction.
Work to develop self-care habits that will reduce stress and improve your physical, mental, and emotional health, including eating healthy foods, staying active, and getting adequate sleep.
Make sure you are properly balancing your work with the rest of your life by taking adequate time off for vacation or personal time and spending time with your family and friends.
Remember why you chose your field and what accomplishments you have achieved.
Find support when needed, either through colleagues, a support group, or close friends and family members.
The Role of Medical Facilities and Organizations
Medical facilities and organizations may also help prevent burnout by creating a culture that provides radiologists and other medical professionals with the support they need to be effective in their jobs and satisfied with their work. Below are some things organizational leaders may do to help reduce burnout.
Encourage an atmosphere of community and connectivity to reduce the isolation many radiologists and physicians may be experiencing.
Model behaviors that encourage wellness among staff members.
Advocate for ways to reduce stress and encourage overall wellness.
Help eliminate the stigma of burnout by encouraging staff members to find help if they need it.
Pay attention to individual staff members to see signs of potential burnout and prevent it.
Measure data and use it to monitor progress.
Consider creating a wellness center or forming a committee to address burnout prevention and job satisfaction.
Prioritize patient care and physician satisfaction.
Coordinate goals, roles, and processes so they are aligned.
Create an environment where staff members are all respected and valued.
Acknowledge accomplishments to boost morale.
Improve efficiency by consolidating tasks and eliminating unnecessary work.
Consider implementing innovative AI technology to streamline workflow, automate routine tasks, and improve reporting, so radiologists can focus on consistently providing accurate reports and recommendations as efficiently as possible.
Implement PACS and EHR patient context integration to improve efficiency and save time when accessing clinical data.
If you think you may be experiencing burnout, pay attention to how you feel, and address your concerns so you can get the help you need. It’s important to take care of yourself so you can be effective in your job as you take care of others. Remember the reasons why you chose this profession, and remind yourself of your achievements and accomplishments as you take the necessary steps to reduce your stress, improve your wellness, and become passionate about your work again.
CT scans (also known as CAT scan) and MRIs are two of the most commonly performed imaging techniques to help doctors diagnose, and sometimes treat, injury or disease. A CT scan (computed tomography) employs x-rays while MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses; both techniques are able to provide a look at the internal structure of the body.
Given that each test seemingly provides similar results, you might wonder why your doctor would choose one instead of the other.
MRI
As the name suggests, MRIs use magnets to generate images. These aren’t your everyday refrigerator magnets though. MRIs use huge superconductive magnets which have a greater magnet field strength thousands of times stronger than that of the earth’s. MRIs do not use ionizing radiation and are able to image the brain, spine, organs, bones/joints, and soft tissues quite nicely. So MRI must be better than CT right? The answer is not so simple.
The machinery needed for MRI is more expensive and the superconductive magnet requires significant safety precautions so they are not as readily available as CT. Additionally, the process of producing an MR image is inherently slower and the patient must be able to remain completely still. MRIs can take up to 30 minutes, sometimes longer, depending on the body part and the number of pictures needed to be acquired. Therefore MRI is often not the best choice in the setting of emergencies, bleeding, trauma, and in patients who are claustrophobic or are unable to remain still for long periods of time.
Because MRIs use a powerful magnet, patients who have internal metal, medical devices, or certain piercings may not be eligible for an MRI. Internal devices such as defibrillators, pacemakers, stimulators, or shunts may be affected by the magnetic field and cause the device to malfunction (of note medical device companies are currently designing devices which are MRI safe, several of which are already on the market). Piercings and metallic foreign bodies can heat up in the magnet resulting in burns. Most radiology departments complete an extensive screening questionnaire to identify any potential hazards.
If you have a medical device be sure to save the manufacturer’s card and information so it can be fully reviewed by radiology staff prior to your MRI. If your device is not safe for the MRI, the radiologist may recommend a different type of imaging. Additionally, be sure to remove piercings and alert the radiology staff to any metal that may be on or inside your body.
CT Scans
CT scans are readily available at most hospitals and can be obtained rapidly, so are commonly used in emergency situations. In cases where a CT scanner hasn’t been made available, a mobile CT scanner can be requested for these emergencies. The patient lies on the table which quickly moves through the CT tube and images are obtained.
CT scans can produce images of the bones, chest, internal organs, digestive tract, and blood quite well so is commonly used to diagnose head injuries, abnormalities in the chest or abdomen, fractures, or internal bleeding. In the nonemergent setting, CT scans can be used for imaging heart and lung disease, abdominal abnormalities, bones/joints, and cancer.
Additionally, because CT scans provide an assessment of patients anatomy, surgeons may opt to obtain a CT scan for surgical planning (like a road map).
CT Scans Expose Patients to Radiation
Now let’s address the elephant in the room, radiation. CT scans use x-rays that pass through your body to generate images. X-rays are a type of ionizing radiation, which means they have enough energy to create ions of the material they pass through. When cells inside the body (i.e. the patient) are exposed to ionizing radiation, the DNA inside can become damaged and the cell can then become cancerous.
Don’t worry too much. You are actually exposed to low levels of radiation that exist naturally in the environment every day and generally speaking, your cells do a pretty good job of DNA repair. For comparison sake, an average person is exposed to 3 mSv of radiation annually just from the environment, while an average CT scan is between 2-8 mSv. The good (and bad) news is that there is no radiation dose or threshold point at which one will develop cancer, but most scientists agree that the risk of cancer increases as radiation dose increases.
When you and your doctor decide for you to get a CT scan, you are deciding that the risks of the radiation are less than the disease or injury you are looking to diagnose.
Conclusion
CTs and MRIs each have their own unique risks and benefits which need to be applied to an individual patient to answer a clinical question. When used appropriately both have proven to be a safe and effective means of diagnostic imaging. If your doctor recommends you receive a CT or MRI, feel free to ask why they ordered one versus the other. Also, be sure to direct any additional questions to the radiology personnel prior to your exam.
Disclaimer: Please note the information provided in this article is a broad generalization and is designed for educational purposes only. This article does not constitute medical advice. It is recommended you consult with your physician with concerns or questions related to your specific medical condition and for additional recommendations.
The incredible imaging capacity of computed tomography (CT) has pushed the medical industry to staggering heights. Unfortunately, CT scans have yet to help out the majority of medics in the battlefields, ambulance crews rushing to emergency situations, and even emergency room doctors. This is because conventional CT scanners are practically behemoths, weighing roughly 4,000 kilograms as well as requiring high-voltage capacities to power massive cooling systems and climate-controlled radiology rooms.
Above: An image produced from a 16 slide CT scan system.
The lack of convenient and quick access to CT scans, especially when dealing with stroke or injuries involving brain trauma, has become a critical issue in the medical industry. Despite the continuous advancements in this realm of imaging technique, the immobility of CT scans has been a pain point that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. This is where the portable CT scanner comes in.
Around the 1990s, two types of CT scanners emerged. One is the “fixed” CT scanner, which refers to the huge machines still found in the majority of hospitals across the globe. The second is the mobile CT scanner, or the “portable” CT machine, which is lightweight and can be easily transported.
History of the Mobile CT Scanner
While there is no specific time and date that could pinpoint the first time a portable CT scanner was used, in 1949 came a surge in demand for “mobile health care.” Around the 1970s, the world’s first mobile CT scanner was launched by Medical Coaches Inc. via their founder Ian Smith’s deal with Peru.
This mobile CT scanner focused primarily on head scans and attempted to provide cross-sectional images of the heart as well. Apart from this, the mobile healthcare unit at the time also provided ultrasounds for pregnant women to evaluate the status of their hearts, gallbladders, breasts, and livers.
What are mobile CT scanners used for nowadays?
Throughout the years, the demand for a mobile CT scanner has increased exponentially due to the influx of incidents where medics have failed to swiftly provide care to stroke patients. These incidents paved the way to the study of utilizing and funding mobile stroke units (MSUs) in 2003. In 2008, the first-ever clinical application of an MSU was conducted atSaarland University in Germany.
Above: A modern MSU.
The initiative was rooted in the idea of “bringing the hospital to the patient,” which eventually decreased the waiting period from the initial distress call to therapy. More importantly, the presence of a portable CT scanner in these MSUs ensured that the professionals could treat patients quickly and accurately during emergencies.
Gradually, the need for MSUs featuring computed tomography equipment inspired 20 more sites across the globe. In January 2014, Houston’s Frazer Ltd designed and released the first MSU in the United States. Basing its setup on the recommendations of neurologists, the company incorporated a portable CT scanner in its hospital on wheels to drastically cut down on treatment time. By 2016, New York’s Presbyterian Hospital became the first to field an MSU on the East Coast and reached a total of three functioning MSUs by 2018.
Another hospital that’s taking advantage of MSUs and portable CT scanners is theUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center. Aside from the mobile CT scanner, the 14-ton ambulance is also equipped with tools that can infuse early fluids to their stroke patients as well as dye blood vessels to figure out the kind of stroke. Given that Tennessee has been identified as a “stroke belt,” this technology has been a life-changer for a lot of people.
The Memphis MSU staff takes only 13 to 14 minutes to provide treatment to their patients, which covers their response to the scene up to the application of medications to the veins – a far cry from the 40 to 50 minutes these tasks take in emergency rooms.
Neurologists have been hoping for more portable CT scanners, particularly in intensive care units. The availability of a mobile CT scanner on hand would exponentially increase their efficiency, eliminating the need to transfer patients and all medical personnel to the location of the humongous fixed CT scanner.
Final thoughts
Computed tomography has evolved in an impressive way over the past 40 years. While it might be nearly impossible for the world to reach the advanced level of technology presented in Star Trek, where doctors can simply wave their wands to instantly diagnose their patients, this rapidly developing niche in radiology seems to be getting there.
Unveiling the History and Technological Marvel of CT Scanner
Computed Tomography (CT) scans—or computerized axial tomography (CAT)—have become an essential part of modern healthcare due to their precision and adaptability. These diagnostic tools have been used in medical imaging for several decades and have undergone improvements to increase safety and reduce radiation exposure since the 1970s.
CT scans enable healthcare professionals to detect and diagnose various medical conditions with unmatched accuracy.
And what makes CT scans even more remarkable is their portability, thanks to the advent of mobile CT scanners, which made these advanced imaging capabilities accessible at the bedside, in emergency rooms, and even in remote locations.
Mobile CT scanners are transforming the way medical imaging is conducted, saving lives, improving patient care, and enhancing healthcare efficiency. In this article, we’ll explore the history and mechanisms behind CT scanners and how they’re empowering healthcare providers to deliver exceptional care.
The Surprising Connection Between the Beatles and the Invention of the CT Scan
Although CT scans are associated with science and technology, their origins may surprise you. The pioneering technology has a fascinating connection to rock and roll, specifically the phenomenal success of The Beatles in the 1960s.
Rumor has it that Electric and Music Industries (EMI), which owned Abbey Road Studios and catapulted the band to stardom, channeled the enormous profits from The Beatles’ albums in the 1960s into funding pioneering research. At their peak, The Beatles’ record and ticket sales earned approximately $650 a second in today’s money.
But EMI was more than just a record label; they had a significant presence in the electrical industry. In 1959, they launched the EMIDEC 1100, a commercial computer that marked their foray into technology. They also invested in medical equipment research, which eventually led to a groundbreaking innovation.
Godfrey Hounsfield, a key figure in the EMIDEC project, began developing the first medical scanner. With substantial support from the UK government (£600,000, equivalent to £7 million today), Hounsfield and his team spent four years inventing and building the first computed tomography scanner.
Godfrey Hounsfield stands beside the EMI-Scanner in 1972. PA Images via Getty Images
In a remarkable twist, fans who grooved to hits like “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “PS I Love You,” “Love Me Do,” and their iconic cover of “Twist and Shout” inadvertently contributed to this revolutionary technology.
EMI’s Pioneering Work in Medical Imaging Technology
In 1972, British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield co-invented the technology with physicist Dr. Allan Cormack. They were jointly awarded the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine. Hounsfield was knighted in 1981, becoming Sir Godfrey Hounsfield.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Hounsfield had no formal qualifications, having left school at 16. Hence, all the degrees bestowed upon him were honorary. He also never got married, claiming not to have established a permanent residence until he was 60. Initially, his work at EMI focused on radar and guided weaponry, and his peers described him as a “crank.” Hounsfield passed away in 2004 at 84.
The Inspiration Behind the CT Scanner
Hounsfield’s idea for the CT scanner came to him while on vacation, when he wanted to reconstruct a 3D picture of a box by imagining it as a series of slices. This inspired thought led to further EMI research and funding, and the first commercially viable CT scanner was installed at Atkinson’s Morley Hospital in 1971.
The First Human Patient
To transition the brain scanner to mainstream medicine, Hounsfield collaborated with consultant radiologist James Ambrose. They created a prototype to study preserved human and animal organs.
The first human patient, a middle-aged woman believed to have a brain tumor, was scanned on October 1, 1971, by James Ambrose. This procedure took several days to complete, requiring meticulous effort and patience.
Each scan, or “slice,” took 30 minutes to capture, and the raw data was stored on magnetic tapes. These tapes were then transported across town, where the data was processed on an EMI mainframe computer over 2.5 hours. Finally, a Polaroid camera was used to capture the reconstructed image, which was rushed back to the hospital.
The wait was worth it – the scan revealed a cystic mass, approximately the size of a plum, in the woman’s left frontal lobe. This groundbreaking moment marked the obsolescence of all other brain imaging methods.
Milestone in Medical Imaging: The Rise of CT Scanners
The popularity of CT scans skyrocketed, with a staggering 3 million examinations conducted by 1980, transforming the field of medical imaging forever.
How CT Scans Work
CT scanners work by taking a series of X-ray images from different angles around the body, which are then processed by a computer to create detailed cross-sectional images or “slices.” These slices provide a three-dimensional view of the area of interest, allowing healthcare professionals to examine it from various angles and depths.
X-ray Tube: The heart of a CT scanner is an X-ray tube that emits a controlled, narrow X-ray beam. This beam passes through the body, and the amount of radiation absorbed by the body’s tissues is detected.
Detectors: Opposite the X-ray tube, a set of detectors measures the X-ray radiation that reaches them. These detectors record the intensity of the X-rays after they’ve passed through the body.
Rotation: The X-ray tube and detectors are housed in a gantry, a circular structure that rotates around the patient, capturing X-ray images from various angles. During this rotation, thousands of X-ray projections are collected.
Data Processing: The raw data collected by the detectors is sent to a computer for processing. The computer uses complex algorithms to reconstruct these data points into detailed cross-sectional images.
Image Display: The final reconstructed images are displayed on a monitor, and healthcare professionals can analyze them to make diagnoses, plan treatments, or guide surgical procedures.
Applications of CT Scans in Clinical Settings
CT scans are an indispensable diagnostic tool in various clinical settings, offering exceptional versatility in detecting a wide range of conditions and anatomical structures.
Some of the key areas where CT scans are used include:
Injuries: CT scans are excellent for detecting fractures, traumatic injuries, and internal bleeding. They provide detailed images of bones, soft tissues, and blood vessels, helping healthcare professionals make accurate diagnoses and determine the extent of injuries.
Cancer: CT scans are valuable in cancer diagnosis and staging. They can visualize tumors and their characteristics to inform treatment decisions and monitor treatment progress over time.
Neurological Conditions: CT scans can visualize the brain and spine, making them crucial for diagnosing conditions like strokes, brain tumors, aneurysms, and herniated discs.
Abdominal and Pelvic Disorders: CT scans evaluate the abdomen and pelvis for conditions like appendicitis, kidney stones, inflammatory bowel disease, and organ abnormalities.
Infections: CT scans can identify areas of infection or abscesses in the body.
Guidance for Procedures: CT scans guide interventional procedures like biopsies, fluid drainage, and medical device placement (e.g., catheters).
Breaking down Barriers in Medical Imaging With Portable CT Scanners
The remarkable imaging capabilities of CT scans have pushed the medical industry to staggering heights, but a significant gap remains in providing timely access to CT scans in critical situations.
Conventional CT scanners, weighing around 4,000 kilograms and requiring high-voltage power and climate-controlled rooms, have limited their use in battlefields, ambulances, and emergency rooms.
The unmet need for convenient and rapid CT scans, particularly in cases of stroke and brain trauma, has become a pressing concern in the medical community. Despite advancements in imaging techniques, the immobility of traditional CT scanners has been a long-standing pain point.
So, the introduction of portable CT scanners has revolutionized the field.
In the 1970s, Medical Coaches Inc., founded by Ian Smith, launched the world’s first mobile CT scanner in Peru, marking a significant milestone in medical history.
The pioneering mobile CT scanner primarily focused on head scans and attempted to provide cross-sectional images of the heart. Additionally, the mobile healthcare unit offered ultrasound services for pregnant women to assess the health of their hearts, gallbladders, breasts, and livers.
This comprehensive approach to mobile healthcare set the stage for future advancements in portable CT scanners and their impact on medical care.
Mobile Stroke Units: Emergency Care With Portable CT Scanners
The demand for mobile CT scanners has skyrocketed in recent years, driven by the urgent need to provide swift care to stroke patients.
The concept of “bringing the hospital to the patient” significantly reduced the waiting period from the initial distress call to therapy. More importantly, the presence of a portable CT scanner in these MSUs enabled professionals to treat patients quickly and accurately during emergencies.
In 2010, the University Hospital of the Saarland shared their initial results of the first MSU. They showed that it worked with an average call-to-decision time of 35 minutes.
Many more MSUs have been created and deployed since then. The first MSU in the United States was developed in Houston, Texas, and has been in clinical use since May 2014.
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center has also embraced MSUs and portable CT scanners, equipping their 14-ton ambulance with tools for early fluid infusion and dye blood vessel analysis. Given Tennessee’s status as a “stroke belt,” this technology has been a game-changer for many patients.
The Memphis MSU staff achieves remarkable response times, providing treatment in just 13-14 minutes – a significant improvement over the 40-50 minutes typically spent in emergency rooms.
Neurologists are eager for more portable CT scanners, particularly in intensive care units. The availability of a mobile CT scanner on hand would exponentially increase efficiency, eliminating the need for patient and personnel transfer to fixed CT scanners.
Discover the cutting-edge mobile CT scanners from Catalina Imaging, designed to deliver exceptional image quality and unparalleled patient care. Our state-of-the-art technology ensures precise diagnoses and effective treatment plans. Reach out to us at info@catalinaimaging.com or (844) 949-1664 to learn more about our fleets.
Improving Emergency Medicine With Mobile CT Scanners’ Portability and Speed
Mobile CT scanners operate on the same fundamental principles as traditional stationary CT scanners but boast a compact and portable design, enabling effortless transport to various locations, such as emergency rooms, operating rooms, or even ambulances.
The mobility of these devices has made it possible to bring CT scanning capabilities to the point of care, a remarkable feat in global healthcare delivery, especially in time-sensitive and critical situations.
How Mobile CT Scanners Work
Here’s an overview of how CT scans are performed using mobile CT scanners:
Patient Preparation: The patient is positioned on a specialized CT examination table, which is often adjustable to optimize scanning accuracy. Proper patient positioning is crucial for obtaining high-quality images.
Gantry and Scanner Mobility: The gantry, housing the X-ray tube and detectors, is positioned around the patient, allowing for quick and efficient imaging without moving the patient.
X-ray Emission and Data Collection: The X-ray tube emits a controlled X-ray beam that passes through the patient’s body while detectors collect X-ray data. The gantry may rotate to capture images from multiple angles or use a helical scanning technique for continuous imaging.
Data Processing and Image Reconstruction: Collected X-ray data is processed in real time by a computer, using complex algorithms to reconstruct data into cross-sectional images displayed on a monitor for immediate analysis.
Radiation Safety: Mobile CT scanners are designed to minimize radiation exposure while maintaining image quality. Operators are trained to ensure patients receive the lowest possible dose of radiation while still being diagnostically useful.
Emergency and Critical Care Applications: Mobile CT scanners are invaluable in emergency departments, trauma centers, and critical care units, providing fast assessments of critical conditions and enabling prompt intervention.
The Future of the CT Scan: AI’s Breakthrough in Radiology
The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to transform the medical imaging industry, with radiologists and pathologists worldwide set to benefit significantly.
A recent study demonstrates the immense potential of AI in medical imaging, showcasing its capability to detect acute neurologic events in CT scan images in a mere 1.2 seconds.
The remarkable achievement was made possible by analyzing 37,000 head CT exams, with the AI system outperforming human radiologists in diagnosing and identifying neurological conditions like stroke.
This development is critical to improving patient care, particularly in alerting physicians to urgent concerns. As the process is 150 times faster, hours could turn into mere seconds— an advancement that would undoubtedly unburden the hospital staff.
Although the research is ongoing and the AI platform requires real-world testing, this study exemplifies the transformative power of AI in radiology. As AI continues to evolve, it is likely to augment the capabilities of radiologists, enhancing the accuracy and speed of diagnoses and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Final Thoughts
Computed Tomography (CT) scans have transformed the medical landscape, offering a wide range of benefits for patients with internal injuries, trauma, and various diseases. This technology enables doctors to visualize almost every part of the body, facilitating accurate diagnoses.
Moreover, CT scans play a vital role in guiding treatment plans, whether surgical, medical, or radiation-based and help doctors monitor the effectiveness of medications and other treatments.
Since its introduction by Hounsfield, CT scan technology has undergone remarkable advancements, becoming an indispensable tool in modern medicine. While we may not yet have the futuristic, instant-diagnosis capabilities of Star Trek, the rapid progress in radiology is bringing us closer to that reality.
Mobile CT scanners, in particular, embody innovation and progress in medical imaging. The ability to bring this diagnostic power directly to the patient’s side has revolutionized emergency and critical care.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further enhancements in mobile CT scanner design, ultimately ensuring that everyone, regardless of location, receives the best possible care.
“The first time we used Catalina was based strictly on the referral from an associate, but we called them when we needed a mobile CT service again because they did a good job the first time.”
– Bill Alexander
Radiology Manager, St. Lukes Elmore Medical Center
“They provided daily calls to make sure the equipment was working properly and if there were ever any issues they were incredibly responsive. We've used them twice and both times were very good experiences.”
– Patty Brodehl
Radiology Manager, Dameron Hospital
“Initially we went with them because of the price and recommendation of someone else. Their follow up after delivery was great.”
– Marvin Sik
Radiology Manager, Memorial Hospital Converse
“We used Catalina Imaging because of their quick response time and flexibility with the duration of the contract. Also we use Toshiba so Catalina was a good fit.”
– David Broderick
Radiology Manager, Heber Valley Medical Center
“It's expected that problems will arise when using a mobile imaging service. What impressed me most was how fast they responded and how far they are willing to go to satisfy their client.”
– Ahmed
Radiology Manager, Victor Valley Medical Center
“Catalina Imaging was referred to us by another client and we were extremely satisfied. Everything they did for us was a 10 out of 10.”
– Alice
Radiology Manager, Malcom Grow Medical Clinic
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