Siemens expands photon-counting CT portfolio with new class of scanners
Three years after launching the world’s first photon-counting computed tomography scanner, Siemens Healthineers has expanded its portfolio with two new systems: the dual-source Naeotom Alpha.Pro and the single-source Naeotom Alpha.Prime. These innovations promise enhanced diagnostic capabilities through superior image quality at lower radiation doses, with potential to change clinical pathways.
Technical advances in detector technology
The expansion of Siemens’ photon-counting CT range represents a significant technological advancement in medical imaging. The systems utilise detector technology that counts individual X-ray photons passing through patients, enabling more detailed anatomical and functional information acquisition. This precise photon-counting capability facilitates the detection and evaluation of small structures with fewer artifacts, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for repeat scans.
Transforming clinical pathways
The enhanced imaging capabilities of these systems have significant implications for clinical pathways across multiple specialties. In cardiology, for example, the ability to clearly visualise heavily calcified coronary arteries can reduce the need for invasive diagnostic procedures, allowing patients to bypass unnecessary catheterisation laboratory visits. This streamlining of diagnostic pathways can significantly reduce time to treatment initiation, improve patient experience, and reduce costs for the facility and the patient.
In oncology, the improved resolution and spectral imaging capabilities enable more precise tumour characterisation and resectability assessment. This enhanced diagnostic confidence can reduce the need for additional imaging studies or invasive diagnostic procedures, accelerating treatment planning and improving patient outcomes.
For pulmonology patients, the faster scan times reduce breath-hold requirements, making the examination more tolerable for patients with respiratory conditions. This improvement in patient comfort and scan quality can reduce the need for repeated imaging attempts, improving departmental efficiency and patient throughput.
Paediatric pathway improvements
In paediatric imaging, the increased scanning speed of the Naeotom Alpha.Pro has particular significance for clinical pathways. The reduction or elimination of sedation requirements for certain procedures not only improves patient safety but also streamlines departmental workflows. This can reduce the need for anaesthesia support, decrease recovery time, and potentially enable same-day discharge for some procedures that previously required overnight observation.
Investment in manufacturing infrastructure
To support the growing demand for photon-counting CT technology, Siemens Healthineers is investing €80 million in expanding its detector production facilities in Forchheim. This substantial investment reflects the company’s commitment to scaling up the availability of this advanced imaging technology and ensuring wider access to its clinical benefits.
Performance specifications and clinical applications
The high-end Naeotom Alpha.Peak achieves scan speeds of 737 millimetres per second, whilst the new Naeotom Alpha.Pro operates at 491 millimetres per second. All systems feature Quantum HD resolution, enabling visualisation of anatomical details at a slice thickness of 0.2 millimetres without increasing radiation dose. This high-resolution capability has particular relevance for vascular imaging, including stent patency assessment and small vessel disease evaluation.
Hub-and-spoke implementation
The introduction of the single-source Naeotom Alpha.Prime represents a significant development for healthcare networks implementing hub-and-spoke models. Its design makes photon-counting CT technology accessible to facilities without specific dual-source requirements, enabling sophisticated imaging capabilities in satellite locations while maintaining the more specialized dual-source systems at central hubs. This configuration can help optimize patient flow and reduce waiting times across healthcare networks.
Artificial intelligence integration and workflow optimization
All systems incorporate artificial intelligence through the myExam Companion system, which guides users through examination procedures from preparation to post-processing. This integration standardises results across different patient groups and procedures, regardless of operator experience. Internal studies demonstrate significant improvements in workflow efficiency, with abdominal acquisitions showing 74% faster procedures and 87% fewer clicks, while brain acquisitions achieved 82% time savings and 91% fewer clicks compared to conventional protocols.
Clinical impact and adoption evidence
Since the initial launch in 2021 of photon-counting CT technology by Siemens Healthineers, over one million patients have undergone scanning worldwide. Clinical feedback suggests significant improvements in diagnostic pathways, particularly in cardiac imaging. Dr Pál Maurovich-Horvat, chair of radiology at Semmelweis University Hospital in Budapest, reported: “With our Naeotom Alpha, we can confidently rule out obstructive coronary artery disease in a greater number of heart patients, particularly those with highly calcified coronaries, eliminating the need for invasive diagnostic procedures in the cath lab. This creates more efficient patient pathways and significantly reduces the time from diagnosis to the initiation of treatment.”
Emergency department integration
The deployment of photon-counting CT in emergency departments will help improve acute care imaging. The enhanced image quality and reduced radiation dose are particularly valuable in trauma cases, where rapid, high-quality imaging is essential for treatment planning. The technology’s ability to provide detailed vascular information without additional contrast phases can accelerate decision-making in time-critical conditions such as stroke.
Future implications for healthcare delivery
The integration of these advanced imaging systems into clinical practice represents a shift towards more efficient, patient-centred diagnostic pathways. By reducing the need for multiple imaging studies or invasive diagnostic procedures, healthcare providers can potentially reduce costs while improving patient experience and outcomes. The systems’ artificial intelligence integration and automation capabilities also address current healthcare challenges, including staff shortages and increasing patient volumes.
- For more information, visit: siemens-healthineers.com/computed-tomography/naeotom
