December 19, 2023 — Siemens Healthineers announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the Somatom Pro.Pulse, a dual-source computed tomography scanner designed to be more affordable for a wide range of healthcare facilities, including outpatient diagnostic centers. The scanner combines the power and speed of dual-source CT technology—two X-ray tubes and two detectors—with embedded artificial intelligence and user assistance features to deliver workflow efficiencies.
Dual-source CT allows for high temporal resolution, which, along with scan speed, is important for cardiac CT scans to limit artifacts caused by breathing or cardiac motion. In recent years, interest in CT’s cardiovascular applications has increased in the U.S. This interest may be attributed in part to a 2021 decision by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) to give cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) its highest recommendation as a frontline test to evaluate patients with stable and acute chest pain who have no history of coronary artery disease.¹
The AI-powered intelligent user interface, myExam Companion, combines patient data (including gender, height, and age) and collects scan-relevant information such as heart rate or breath-hold capabilities to tailor a patient-specific scan protocol. The optional FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) 3D camera automatically performs precise, consistent patient positioning.
The Somatom Pro.Pulse has an air-cooled gantry, requires 31 percent less space for installation than the company’s previous dual-source systems, and consumes 20 percent less power than traditional water-cooled dual-source CT scanners. These features reduce the scanner’s installation and operational costs compared to similar scanners in the company’s portfolio.
Reference:
¹ Gulati, M., Levy, P.D., Mukherjee, D., et al. 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. (2021) Nov., 78 (22) e187–e285 https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053
For more information: www.siemens-healthineers.us
May 08, 2024 
