Siemens and Massachusetts General Hospital Explore Prototype Area-Detector Volume CT Scanning; Siemens SOMATOM Sensation Serves as Model to the Future.

MALVERN, Pa. -- Working in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Siemens Medical Solutions has developed a prototype area-detector based, volume computed tomography (CT) system(1). This system was developed on a Siemens SOMATOM(R) Sensation CT gantry and uses two-dimensional digital flat-panel detector technology. Principles and potential applications of volumetric CT scanning are being evaluated at MGH with this prototype system.

The new area-detector prototype CT system features volume coverage of 18 cm with up to 768 CT slices per rotation. When fully developed, this innovation has the promise of offering a unique window on human anatomy and physiology. For example, using volume CT, a medical professional could directly visualize the trabecular structure of bone, dynamic contrast uptake of tumor tissue, composition of atherosclerotic plaque in the vascular system and coronary arteries, and micro-circulation of the cardiac muscle.

"With the advent of these systems, volume scanning would become feasible, possibly opening up a whole spectrum of new applications such as functional or volume perfusion studies," said Dr. Rajiv Gupta, director, Volume CT Lab, Massachusetts General Hospital.

Increased volume coverage is possible with the introduction of area detectors large enough to cover entire organs, such as the heart or brain, in a single rotation. The newly developed volume CT prototype system is designed to be suitable for in-vitro imaging of specimens, as well as in-vivo imaging of large animals and eventually human research.

"Siemens' unwavering dedication to research and development is evident as we have brought to market many firsts in CT imaging," said Dr. Bernd Ohnesorge, vice president, Global CT Marketing and Sales, Siemens Medical Solutions. "Area-detector CT technology has the potential to introduce important future pathways of CT application. We are honored to be working with MGH to explore the advantages of this groundbreaking approach and state-of-the-art 64-slice CT technology within a comprehensive basic and clinical research program."

During the past decade, multi-slice CT has experienced a significant increase in performance with the development of 4-, 16- and 64-slice systems. In the future, area-detector CT systems will enable true volume CT scanning and may represent an important step for CT technology beyond the capabilities of current multi-slice scanners, both in anatomic coverage and scan speed.

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.07 billion EUR, orders of 8.12 billion EUR and group profit of 1.05 billion EUR for fiscal 2004. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.

(1) The information about this product is preliminary. The product is under development and not commercially available in the U.S. and its future availability cannot be ensured.