GE HealthCare has introduced Photonova Spectra, a next-generation photon-counting CT scanner built on the company’s proprietary Deep Silicon detector technology.

Debuted ahead of the 2025 Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) meeting in Chicago, the system is designed to enable high-resolution spectral imaging using an 8-bin photon detection platform. Unlike conventional CT systems, which use scintillators to convert X-ray photons into visible light, photon-counting CT detects and measures individual photons directly for enhanced image quality.

Photonova Spectra’s design incorporates a wide detector array and fast rotation speed, with a claimed gantry time of 0.23 seconds. The system supports a one-scan protocol intended to streamline workflows and reduce the need for scan-specific setups across a broad range of applications. Clinical targets include neurology, oncology, musculoskeletal, thoracic, and cardiac imaging.
Built on the Deep Silicon detector technology GE HealthCare acquired through its purchase of Prismatic Sensors in 2020, the scanner aims to capture up to 50 times more data compared to some of the company’s current premium CT models. According to GE HealthCare, the Deep Silicon detectors allow for improved spectral resolution and material separation, which may help distinguish between calcium, iodine, and fat.

The system also includes support for on-demand spectral reconstructions and is equipped with AI-driven automation tools, including auto-positioning and a unified operator interface.

"Photon counting CT is a fundamentally different approach to imaging. It can be thought of as particle physics in action," said Dr. Giuseppe Toia, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, who was involved in development and testing. “The goal of using photon counting CT is to help differentiate materials and reveal diagnostic details, which is of interest to radiologists for informed clinical decision-making and streamlined workflows.”

The Photonova Spectra system is expected to generate significantly more imaging data than conventional CT, with NVIDIA’s computing technology used to support advanced reconstruction techniques. Pending FDA clearance, GE HealthCare aims to position the system as a scalable tool for precision imaging and research.

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