Demand for Siemens Biograph mCT supports need for new way of thinking in integrated imaging

CHICAGO, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- First introduced at the European Society of Nuclear Medicine meeting in October, Siemens Biograph mCT hits the ground running, experiencing high demand in a time when the current economical situation demands maximum utilization of existing and new imaging equipment. Biograph mCT reaches the United States as a pioneer, not only in hybrid imaging, but as an integrated imaging and workflow concept. Siemens brings Biograph mCT to RSNA as the world's first integrated imaging device to offer routine, whole-body PET scanning in just five minutes with ultraHD-PET technology, Adaptive Spiral CT and patient friendly features, such as a large bore and small tunnel, which adds up to a smart imaging solution considering today's shrinking imaging budgets. The resulting utilities from this combination of advanced PET and CT technologies in one compact system will drive change in the way institutions think about integrated diagnostics.

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"Since the introduction of molecular CT, we've seen a tremendous response from customers all around the world. Biograph mCT has already begun to change perceptions in the marketplace about integrated imaging devices that provide a better return on investment," said Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer, Molecular Imaging, Siemens Healthcare. "As the forerunner in integrated imaging solutions, Siemens is leading this change in perception and combining two modalities to provide incredible clinical value. We created Biograph mCT to serve the needs of both radiology and molecular imaging -- all while offering institutions cutting-edge technology, the greatest level of patient care and maximum return on investment."

Molecular CT Makes Sense

Already installed at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Biograph mCT will begin commercial installations second quarter of 2009. Several facilities from the United States, Europe, Asia and Australia have already placed orders and will become the first adopters of molecular CT. Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Ill., is one of them. The facility will install a 128-slice Biograph mCT in its new outpatient imaging center, where it will be utilized as a dedicated CT and in parallel, as a PET-CT.

"We are extremely proud to be a national leader in the introduction of the Biograph mCT integrated imaging technology," said Marjorie Calvetti, director of Radiology at Memorial Medical Center. "This is consistent with our philosophy of making leading-edge technology available as a means of fulfilling our mission of improving the health of the people and communities we serve," Calvetti added. "It is also directly aligned with our vision to be a national leader for excellence in patient care."

"Memorial Medical Center was also first to install Siemens Symbia T16 system, and a Biograph mCT will represent their continued commitment to being a leader in patient care," adds Reitermann.

The Power of Advanced CT and PET Working Together

Tremendous advances in CT have enabled clinicians to prove the value of multislice capabilities, speed and resolution. Functional as well as anatomical imaging is achieved with today's cutting-edge CT technology, but by adding "living color" to CT using molecular imaging biomarkers, such as FDG, the clinician is now able to visualize cell metabolism within tumors, offering personalized and very specific information about patients' disease. Biograph mCT, with ultra HD·PET technology, that combines time-of-flight (TOF) and point-spread-function (PSF) reconstruction, is the world's only PET system that offers 2 mm uniform resolution throughout the entire field of view (FOV) and 4x enhanced lesion contrast compared to standard PET scans. In addition, Biograph mCT can achieve an unprecedented whole-body five minute PET-CT acquisition time by leveraging the combination of ultraHD-PET technology and Siemens exclusive extended field of view, TrueV.

Unprecedented Utilization Opportunity

From a bottom line perspective, to use one integrated scanner that offers shared services between molecular imaging and radiology departments is a highly efficient means of making the most of an institution's imaging equipment and strengthening the existing workflows between the two departments. Biograph mCT offers scalability for both CT and PET, offering from 40 to 128 slices in CT, and a broad range of PET features from TrueV to ultra HD-PET, providing unmatched throughput, image quality and scan speeds. All of these features can be upgraded in the field.

Biograph mCT is the ultimate in efficiency: one team, one room, one machine, and one comfortable patient. With Biograph mCT, an institution may only need to purchase one imager instead of two, representing a huge cost-savings potential in a time when healthcare budgets are tight. The consolidation of equipment, staff and scan times can enable major cost savings, return on investment and excellence in patient care, as well as patient and staff satisfaction when innovation and integration work together.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €11.2 billion, orders of €11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euros 1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare