Siemens Healthineers has received FDA clearance for its Naeotom Alpha class of photon-counting CT scanners..
The newly approved lineup includes the Naeotom Alpha.Pro, a dual-source system, and the Naeotom Alpha.Prime, the first commercially available single-source scanner using photon-counting technology.
Since its launch in 2021, the Naeotom Alpha has been the only photon-counting CT scanner available for clinical use, with over a million patient scans completed worldwide. This original dual-source model, now rebranded as the Naeotom Alpha.Peak, will continue as the highest-end option in the product class.
“By introducing our Naeotom Alpha class of photon-counting CT scanners, Siemens Healthineers delivers on what we see as our responsibility: to broaden the availability of this technology and enable customers to provide its clinical benefits to as many clinicians and patients as possible,” said Matthew Dedman, head of computed tomography at Siemens Healthineers North America.
Photon-counting CT technology enables direct measurement of individual X-ray photons, enhancing image resolution and functional imaging while reducing radiation exposure. The technology allows for improved visualization of small anatomical structures with fewer artifacts compared to conventional CT scanners.
The Naeotom Alpha.Peak offers the fastest scan speed in the series at 737 millimeters per second, along with Quantum HD resolution at a 0.2 mm slice thickness. The Naeotom Alpha.Pro also utilizes dual-source technology, achieving a scan speed of 491 mm/sec, which may benefit pediatric and cardiology patients by reducing breath-hold times and the need for sedation or beta-blockers.
Designed for a broader range of clinical settings, the single-source Naeotom Alpha.Prime scans at 345 mm/sec and integrates automation features to streamline workflows. Siemens Healthineers' AI-powered myExam Companion interface assists with exam setup, image acquisition, and post-processing, aiming to standardize and simplify CT operations across different patient types and procedures.
