Toshiba Launches World's First High-Definition Dual-slice CT Scanner 20,000 Detector Elements Support Simultaneous Dual-Slice Scanning Tokyo, DEC. 12 --/KYODO JBN-AsiaNet/-- Toshiba Corporation today announced a major contribution to cutting-edge diagnostics, the Asteion Dual-Slice System CT scanner. The world's first high-definition helical scan dual-slice CT scanner to integrate almost 20,000 detector elements, the Asteion Dual-Slice performs simultaneous dual-slice scanning at a rotation speed of only 0.75 seconds. Expressly designed for hospitals, rather than for R&D activities, the new CT scanner is available today. The Asteion Dual-Slice System is Toshiba's third multi-slice system, following the Aquilion Multi-Slice System and Asteion Multi-Slice System. A sister system to its high-end predecessors, the Asteion Dual-Slice provides all their cutting-edge multi-slice features. Most so-called dual-slice systems are simply provided with single-slice detectors arranged in two rows. These systems use mechanical collimators to determine slice thickness and do not capture the high-definition images of multi-slice systems. Toshiba dual-slice CT scanners do, thanks to the company's development of the world's finest detector for CT systems: an array of almost 20,000 detector elements arranged in an 896 element x 22 row matrix. Slice thickness is determined by selective combinations of the output of the 22 rows, making it possible to fully exploit high-speed, high-quality imaging capabilities. This new system can scan a wide range at high speed and acquire high-resolution images with a 0.5-mm slice thickness. Its capabilities make it a powerful tool for high-resolution lung cancer examinations, imaging small vessels, high-resolution inner ear scanning, the generation of high-quality 3D images, multi-phase contrast studies, high-speed emergency examinations, and the examination of children and other patients who may have difficulty remaining still during scanning. In terms of hospital efficiency, reduced examination times result in higher patient throughput, and the extended service life of the X-ray tube results in lower operating costs. Because scanning is performed to preset scan conditions in an "Expert Plan" and an improved filming process greatly simplifies operation, this new system provides all the benefits of Toshiba's expertise in multi-slice systems and is also very easy to use. The Asteion Dual-Slice System is available from today in both the domestic and overseas markets, at a unit price approximately 30% lower than that of the company's top end Aquilion Multi-Slice System. Special Features of the New System 1. SSMD matrix detector This system employs the SSMD (selectable slice thickness multi-slice detector) technology that was developed for the Aquilion Multi-Slice system, Toshiba's top-of-the-line CT scanner. The detector is composed of about 20,000 elements, which makes it possible to obtain highly accurate data even in the longitudinal direction, as well as in the axial direction. The elements for the narrowest 0.5-mm slice widths are placed at the center, making it possible to achieve high-quality imaging with isotropic resolution. 2. High-speed scanning Two image slices are acquired in each revolution, and each revolution is performed in 0.75 seconds for high-speed scanning. It is possible to scan a range of 15 cm in only 4 seconds with helical scanning and a slice thickness of 10 mm. Short scanning times allow patients to be examined more quickly, and patient throughput is increased , the load on the tube is reduced and there is less need to wait for cool-down. 3. Improved examination efficiency The system employs the MUSCOT reconstruction technology developed for the high-level Aquilion Multi-Slice system, which makes it possible to obtain images with various slice widths using the same raw data. Thus, by using thin slices from the beginning, it is possible to eliminate the rescanning that conventional technology can require. High-speed processing means that reconstruction can be completed in 1 second. 4. Outstanding ease of operation The system is provided with various features for handling large amounts of multi-slice data with ease. These features include an image matrix display for managing large numbers of images efficiently and advanced film processing that displays the images in the format that will be output to film (virtual films), permitting efficient editing. 5. Realtime technology Because reconstructed CT images can be displayed during scanning, at the world's fastest display speed of 12 images per second, it is possible to confirm the position and direction of scanning and immediately check the contrast effect. This system is therefore particularly well suited to the examination of emergency patients. In another application of this technology, a standard feature of the system is Toshiba's unique "SureStart" technology, which automatically detects the inflow of contrast medium and starts the scan at the optimal time. Today, "SureStart" has established itself as an essential function in contrast examinations. 6. Reduced patient exposure It is possible to continuously vary the tube current while performing helical scanning, thus ensuring that X-ray exposure is appropriate for each region scanned. This minimizes patient exposure and makes it possible to obtain high-quality images in all regions, irrespective of their location. In addition to the normal scanning mode, a low-dose mode is available, so patient exposure can be further reduced depending on the objective of the examination. Contact: Midori Suzuki e-mail: [email protected] phone: ++81-3-3457-2105 fax: ++81-3-5444-9202 SOURCE: TOSHIBA