Somatom Definition AS Open Sliding Gantry
September 17, 2014 — At the 2014 annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Sept. 14-17 at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, Siemens Healthcare demonstrated how it innovates to advance the practice of radiation therapy (RT) for the benefit of patients by providing systems and solutions that enable optimal imaging, which can support radiation therapy (RT) treatment and follow-up. Strengthened by its strategic global partnership agreement with Varian Medical Systems, Siemens displayed imaging solutions that apply to all RT subspecialties, including external beam therapy, stereotactic body radiosurgery/stereotactic ablative RT, brachytherapy, and particle therapy.
Magnetom RT Pro edition
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delivers excellent soft tissue contrast. For RT planning, this is particularly advantageous, as it supports the definition of targets and helps the user identify structures at risk, which can contribute to accurate treatment planning. While some imaging modalities can overestimate the volume of the prostate, which in turn hinders the physician in fully visualizing the tumor, MRI — more specifically, multi-parametric MRI — clearly shows the extent of the organ as well as suggests the location of the tumor by unveiling information on biologic tissue properties. This can be enhanced further with unique applications such as Siemens’ MRI Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI) application RESOLVE, which enables a reduction in geometric distortion and, in turn, a more confident delineation. This further aids in determining targeted dose escalation, potentially leading to a better therapeutic outcome.
The Magnetom RT Pro edition from Siemens brings the MRI intelligence of Siemens’ top-of-the-line Magnetom Aera 1.5T and Magnetom Skyra 3T MRI systems to the RT treatment planning process.¹ With a comprehensive solution package for RT professionals, it enriches the RT planning process with valuable diagnostic information. The Magnetom RT Pro edition consists of either a 70 cm Open Bore Magnetom Aera or Magnetom Skyra scanner with optional Tim (Total imaging matrix) Dockable Table, as well as high-channel flex and body coils for excellent image quality. It also features dedicated positioning support accessories (tabletop, head or leg rest, head/neck mask, etc.), MR applications, workflow protocols, and powerful optional post-processing software syngo.via.
Dual-room Somatom CT Sliding Gantry solution
The dual-room Somatom Definition AS Open Sliding Gantry, or CT-on-rails, solution helps facilities maximize utilization of their computed tomography (CT) scanner. This dual-room setup functions on a simple idea: While the CT scanner is moved into one room to conduct treatment simulation on a patient, the other room can be used, for example, as a brachytherapy suite, where preparations can be underway for sedation and the positioning of needles, seeds, or applicators. When CT simulation is complete, the CT gantry simply slides into the adjacent brachytherapy suite through a sliding door; at this point, it can be used to image and further evaluate the position of brachytherapy applicators relative to patient anatomy. The first room is then free for the setup of a new patient for simulation.
Advantages of the dual-room Somatom Definition AS Open Sliding Gantry solution include excellent image quality in simulation and brachytherapy thanks to the RT Pro edition features; elimination of patient transport to another room for CT imaging in brachytherapy; and efficient use of CT equipment with the utilization of a single CT gantry.
Varian Partnership
As part of their worldwide partnership in radiotherapy and radiosurgery, Varian Medical Systems and Siemens have jointly developed software interfaces that connect Siemens’ ARTISTE, ONCOR, and PRIMUS linear accelerators (linacs) with Varian’s ARIA oncology information system.
Now, Siemens linac customers can use the company’s volumetric modulated arc (mARC) planning technique — which has significant benefits over the step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) approach in terms of speed of delivery or dose conformity — in conjunction with Varian’s Eclipse treatment planning system.
Other Highlights
Also at ASTRO 2014, Siemens demonstrated how the Biograph mCT family of positron emission tomography (PET)/CT systems now offers state-of-the-art functionalities related to radiation therapy. These features include 4-D one-click phase-match gating, which can help deliver clearer images of moving tumors and is of particular importance in the management of lung cancer patients.
For more information: www.siemens.com/healthcare
November 20, 2025 
