Siemens Healthcare has introduced a new technology platform, FAST CARE [Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies (FAST) support process optimization and Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure (CARE)] assist with dose reduction for computed tomography (CT) scanners.
Siemens said that the new technology helps hospital staff to perform CT examinations faster and more efficiently than before, as well as keeping the dose as low as possible.
The FAST CARE applications simplify workflows during scanning and in the preparation of image reconstructions and patients benefit from lower radiation doses and shorter examination times as the system automates many operating procedures, suggests parameter settings for image quality and dose reduction and standardizes processes, which makes results readily reproducible.
The enhancements help CT operators and service providers improve their productivity and improve consistency of image quality and dose level.
FAST CARE will be available on the SOMATOM Definition AS scanners in March 2011 and on the SOMATOM Definition Flash scanners in May 2011.
Siemens Healthcare Computed Tomography CEO Sami Atiya said that the key innovation of their new FAST CARE platform is that for the first time dose-reducing and process-optimizing functions are operating in tandem.