GE HealthCare has received FDA clearance for its Photonova Spectra, a photon-counting CT system designed to expand imaging capabilities and streamline clinical workflows.

The Chicago-based company introduced the system at the RSNA’s 2025 annual meeting.

Photon-counting CT differs from conventional CT by directly measuring individual X-ray photons and their energy levels, rather than converting them into visible light first. This approach allows for improved spatial and spectral resolution, which can support more detailed tissue characterization.
Photonova Spectra incorporates GE HealthCare’s Deep Silicon detector technology, which enables 8-bin energy resolution. The system is designed to distinguish between materials such as iodine, calcium and fat with greater precision, while also supporting visualization of small lesions and vascular structures. Its 0.23-second rotation speed and wide detector coverage are intended to reduce motion artifacts and enable faster scans.

The platform uses a single-scan workflow that captures both spectral and ultrahigh-definition data simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple protocols. According to the company, this may help reduce exam complexity and improve consistency across imaging environments.

To handle the increased data generated by photon-counting CT, the system integrates NVIDIA-based computing to process significantly larger data sets than conventional CT systems. This supports image reconstruction and aims to maintain clinical workflow efficiency.

Clinical evaluation and research collaborations are underway at institutions including the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and Stanford Medicine, where investigators are exploring applications in oncology, cardiology and neurology.

GE HealthCare said it is preparing for commercial availability of Photonova Spectra in the U.S., positioning the system as part of its broader imaging portfolio following a multiyear investment in innovation.

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