The Somatom X.ceed has arrived. Made by Siemens. Brought to the country by UCMed (University of Cebu Medical Center).
As someone who’s had more than a few CT scans in the last five years due to cancer, I have intimate knowledge about CT scan procedures.
The first thing you’ll notice when you enter the room is a doughnut-like structure. This is the gantry, the part of the CT scanner which spins rapidly to take 3D images as you lie on a patient table.
The opening in the gantry is called the bore—this is where your body moves in and out during the procedure.
I’m a bit claustrophobic so I prefer a bigger opening. I have a small frame but I’m sure bigger bores would also be more comfortable for those with bigger frames just as bigger airline seats are more comfortable for people of all sizes.
Bigger bores also give staff easier access to patients in need of assistance or intervention. Bore sizes typically range from 70 to 75cm. The X.ceed has a bore size of 82cm.
You have to hold your breath as motion (including breathing) affects image quality. Instructions are relayed through a speaker. In my anxious state, I always fear hearing incorrectly.
In recognition of the anxious as well as of the hearing-impaired and those who might have language barriers—X.ceed thoughtfully provides visual guidance through color-coded breathe-hold instructions.
Its superfast rotation speeds of up to 0.25 seconds will take your picture in a quarter of a second. The abdomen can be scanned in three seconds, the chest in eight seconds.
Good news for those who cannot hold their breath long. Even better news for those who cannot keep still like a restless patient or a pumping heart.
Temporal resolution refers to image quality as challenged by motion. Because of its high scan speed, X.ceed excels in cardiac and trauma imaging.
Radiation is necessary to see CT scans as light is necessary to read a book. The more light, the clearer the words. The more radiation, the clearer the images. But radiation dose must be balanced with image quality.
X.ceed uses artificial intelligence to create personalized scan protocols for individual patients to reduce dosage and risk.
Spatial resolution refers to image quality as challenged by size and density. X.ceed boasts of its capacity to see fine details.
Typical scanners can describe location, size and shape. With spectral imaging capabilities, X.ceed can identify composition of material. A typical scanner can see a kidney stone. X.ceed can tell you if it’s uric acid or calcium oxalate.
With excellent resolution, contrast media dosage can also be reduced or eliminated without compromising diagnostic image quality. A win for renal patients.
Somatom X.ceed. The first in Southeast Asia. Brought to you by UCMed. Deep discounts coming soon.