The other major manufacturer to come out with dual-energy CT technology is Siemens Healthcare with their SOMATOM Definition Flash Dual Source CT Scanner.

"The Definition Flash is our second generation dual-source CT technology launched at RSNA 2008," says Murat Gungor, senior director of product marketing for CT at Siemens. "It acquires information in a much more rapid manner then any single-source CT."


Gungor describes the use of dual energies as a way to acquire totally different information about the patient and particular tissues, and although there are two separate sources, there is no additional radiation dose. With this technology, you can target specific areas of the anatomy and remove bones from the images without any post-processing.

"In very simple terms, when you are scanning the chest of a patient on a single-source CT technology, no matter the slice, you can complete the entire chest examination in a about five seconds," says Gungor. "With this technology, the chest examination can be completed in about two-thirds of a second. This obviously eliminates the need for breath holding, which is a major milestone."

Siemens has also introduced proprietary reconstruction software called IRIS, which stands for Iterative Reconstruction in Image Space. This software increases sharpness and also reduces noise while requiring a lower dose of radiation.

From the remarketer's perspective

One branch of the industry privy to the competitive nature of today's market is the independent sales and service organizations that deal largely in CT and other major imaging systems.

The new year has brought good business to C&G Technologies, a refurbished systems sales, service and parts company based in Jeffersonville, Ind. C&G specializes in CT systems. President Greg Kramer says CT-related sales have been picking up steadily.




"All three of our revenue streams - refurbished systems, parts and service - are up," says Kramer. "In particular, system sales are up 30 percent over this time last year. We are seeing more and more facilities that never would have considered used equipment before, looking for used equipment now."

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