The computed tomography (CT) scanning procedure is a type of specialized imaging that helps physicians view organs and bones non-invasively. CT scanners route X-rays through the body, capturing multiple angles of a cross-sectional image to compile into a 3D representation which can be stored and examined on computers. The data is processed using algorithms to reconstruct images in the human-readable format.
Function and productivity will drive many of the trends we’re seeing for CT imaging this 2022. As the sophisticated technology behind computed tomography continues to spread its reach, users can now enjoy greater access to these tools through third party companies specializing in their manufacture and distribution.
For example, Mordor Intelligence forecasts that by 2026, the CT market will grow by 5.76 percent annually, hitting a hefty $9.5 million by that time.
While rates of cancer, including those for colorectal and cervical cancer, are thankfully dropping in the United States and other developed countries, cancer remains a persistent health crisis. In response to the increased demand observed for several years now for CT scans that diagnose many different cancers, scanner manufacturers have begun enhancing their flagship models with more productivity-enhancing features.
Some of the recent trends in CT Imaging technology seen this past year include:
Philips announced the release of Spectral CT 7500, which has received regulatory clearance from both Europe and the U.S. FDA. This system promises to deliver high-quality spectral images 100 percent of the time without needing special protocols like those on many other newest models, subsequently reducing protocol bias and confirming old information in up to 60 percent fewer tests than ever before.
The Spectral CT 7500’s intelligent software eliminates all of the guesswork behind acquiring test scans, giving radiologists more accurate data faster than they’ve ever had before.
Philips’s goal with Spectral CT 7500 is to help physicians better characterize disease and reduce rescans, allowing them to detect abnormalities earlier on with just as much precision as conventional CT scans but with less radiation exposure for patients overall.
GE Healthcare released its Revolution Ascend with Effortless Workflow, which offers clinicians a collection of AI technologies that automate and simplify time-consuming tasks to increase operational efficiency and free up time for clinicians to deliver more personalized care for more patients.
Equipped with a lower table, 40mm detector coverage, and a larger, new 75 cm wide-gantry, the Revolution Ascend is designed to accommodate high body mass index (BMI) patients, as well as trauma cases that would otherwise be too delicate to maneuver in a smaller size gantry.
Other features built into GE’s Revolution Ascend:
The FDA recently approved an innovative single-source CT scanner by Siemens Healthineers called the Somatom X.ceed. Its scanner is designed for all scanning procedures and is aimed at providing state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging through an 82 cm bore.
The Siemens Healthineers Somatom X.ceed features both high-speed scanning capabilities and a level of resolution previously unseen in other single-source CT systems, with a new hardware/software combination to simplify CT-guided interventions.
Key features of the Siemens Healthineers Somatom X.ceed:
The new Aquilion Exceed LB CT system from Canon Medical Systems USA Inc. has just received FDA clearance, The Aquilion’s CT technology delivers high-quality, high-resolution volumetric, 3D reconstruction images in a clinically relevant and cost-effective manner.
The Aquilion Exceed LB CT system has the potential to enhance oncologists’ treatment of cancer patients because of its ability to reduce radiation dose exposure, increase patient throughput and improve accuracy.
The system was specifically designed for the radiotherapy market to provide better visualization of tumor anatomy during treatment planning with uniform patient positioning that enables accurate target localization for all types of cancer.
Features of the Aquilion Exceed LB CT system include:
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Function and productivity will drive many of the trends we’re seeing for CT imaging this 2022.
One of the things that will continue to drive the industry forward will be the need for faster exam times. The faster exams can help reduce patient stress, improve physician efficiency, and increase a facility’s throughput.
We will likely see more manufacturers continue to implement and improve on existing workflow enhancements. Workflow enhancements can include faster gantry rotation, faster table speed, and faster reconstruction times to name a few. These enhancements are all focused on helping to drive exam times down.
We will also see the adoption of more advanced software and hardware applications such as CAD, virtual reality, and automated patient positioning. These applications will help to improve the workflow and patient experience, but also help to improve the final image quality.
Source: Imaging Technology News
