Medical X-ray imaging using computed tomography

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Conventional X-ray systems use an immovable X-ray tube, whereas the computed tomography scanner uses a rotational X-ray source.

How can you determine what’s in a closed box?

The computed tomography scanner was invented in 1972 by Godfrey Hounsfield, a British engineer at EMI Laboratories in England, and the physicist Allan Cormack of Tufts University in Massachusetts.

This question was proposed in 1967 when the British electrical engineer Sir Godfrey Hounsfield (1919-2004) was walking in the countryside. Initially, this thought had nothing to do with medicine but was merely an idea that you could determine what was in a box by taking X-ray readings at all angles around the object. In order to develop the concept further, he assembled a computer to obtain position points by focusing X-rays at various angles to create an image of the hidden object.

Subsequently, the prototype head scanner emerged and was first tested on a preserved human brain, followed by a cow brain and Hounsfield himself.  However, the first clinical computed tomography (CT) scan on a patient occurred on 1st October 1971 at Atkinson Morley’s Hospital (part of St George’s Hospital) in London, England. The patient had a suspected frontal lobe tumour and was scanned with the prototype scanner, which produced an image.  This 80 x 80 matrix image was obtained by scanning the patient every 5 minutes and generated the image below:

 

The first computed tomography scan

In 1975, Hounsfield built a whole-body scanner, which became available a year later. Using the most advanced multi-slice system, an entire chest scan can be taken in 5 to 10 seconds. These achievements were recognised by both pioneers, who won the 1979 Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine for developing the diagnostic techniques of X-ray computed tomography.

Computed tomography scanners have improved patient comfort since a scan can be performed quickly. Improvements have led to higher-resolution images, which assist the doctor in making a diagnosis. For example, the computed tomography scan can help doctors visualise small nodules or tumours, which they cannot see with a film X-ray.

It is a fact that in 2017 the NHS of England carried out 42.1 million imaging tests.  These consisted of plain radiography (X-ray), of which there were 22.9 million procedures, diagnostic ultrasonography (ultrasound, 9.37 million); computerised axial tomography (CAT scan, 4.82 million) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, 3.36 million). In comparison, in 2018, it was estimated that approximately 82 million CT procedures were performed in the U.S.

How do CT scanners work?

Computed tomography scanners use X-rays (photons) that travel through the body, absorbing a certain amount of energy. The amount of X-ray energy absorbed is related to the slice thickness and proportional to the tissue density. Therefore, by changing the angle of the X-ray, the tissue densities can be correlated into a cross-sectional image using a computer. In these cases, the processed images are in a greyscale format.  These shades of grey can correlate to the tissue density to create the image. The greyscale can be correlated to the Hounsfield scale, which allows a quantitative measure for describing radiodensity in the CT image and is able to calculate an accurate density for a particular type of tissue.

Hounsfield units (HU)

The CT attenuation values are expressed in Hounsfield units (HU) and are related to the linear density.  In the Hounsfield scale, water is assigned a value of 0 HU, and all other CT values are formulated according to the following expression:

CT number (HU) = 1000 × (μmaterial – μwater) / (μwater)

μ is the CT linear attenuation coefficient

Therefore,

  • HUwater = 0 as (µmaterial = µwater)
  • HUair = -1000 as (µmaterial = 0)
  • HU=1 is associated with 0.1% of the linear attenuation coefficient of water.

The HU values for each pixel represent the electron density of the imaged tissue at a particular location.  These pixels are transformed into a digital image by assigning a greyscale intensity to each value. Therefore, higher HU values will produce a greater pixel intensity (brightness).  For example, fat is less dense than water, and the associated HU value is in the −30 to −70 range thus, fat will appear darker than water in the computed tomography images.  The table below shows several HU values for the various constituents which are found on head CT scans:

Hounsfield Units (HU)
Material
>1000
Bone, calcium, metal
100 to 600
Iodinated CT contrast
30 to 500
Punctate calcifications
60 to 100Intracranial haemorrhage
35Grey matter
25
 White matter
20 to 40 Muscle, soft tissue
0
Water
-30 to -70
Fat
< -1000
Air

For example, on the Hounsfield scale:

  • air is assigned a value of <−1000 (black on the greyscale)
  • the bone between +700 (cancellous bone) to +3000 (dense bone) (white on the greyscale)

The bones are much denser than the surrounding soft tissues and appear very clearly on computed tomography images.  Therefore, this makes computed tomography a vital imaging modality when investigating skeletal anatomy.  Similarly, the density difference between soft tissues and the air is very good, allowing, for example, the nasal airways to be clearly seen. However, organs and soft tissues produce small Hounsfield value ranges, making it difficult to identify adjacent structures.  For example, there is a difference between fat and muscle when viewing a segment of CT data. Artificial contrast agents that absorb X-ray energy may be introduced into the body, which makes some structures stand out more vividly in computed tomography images.

Conventional X-ray systems are based on an immovable X-ray tube, whereas the CT scanner uses a rotational X-ray source that revolves in an unclosed gantry.  During the CT scanning process, the patient lies on a moveable bed, which transports through the gantry, allowing the narrow beams of X-rays to pass through the body at various angles during the rotation. Consequently, the X-ray detectors – located directly opposite the X-ray source – transmit to a computer to generate digital images.

Nevertheless, each time the X-ray source completes one full rotation, the CT computer constructs a 2-D image slice of the patient’s anatomy.  The thickness of the tissue represents an image slice, which varies depending on the type of computed tomography machine used but usually ranges from 1-10 mm.  Completing a full slice generates the image data; the motorised bed supporting the patient slowly moves forward into the gantry.  The X-ray scanning process is repeated to produce another image slice. This process is repeated several times to accumulate enough slices. The benefit of this imaging process is the ability to rotate the 3D image in space.  In addition, to be able to view slices in succession, which can make it simpler to locate the exact position of the abnormality within the body.

Currently, computed tomography scanners include technological developments that enable customers to improve patient care management. This includes lung cancer screening, dose guidance and regulation, spectral and multi-energy imaging, and cardiac and brain imaging. These CT scanners also provide new levels of information to help clinicians make a more confident diagnosis at a low dose without increasing complexity in their routines.

Optimising the dose including standardising protocols will contribute to improvements in healthcare systems and ensure operational efficiency and most importantly patient well-being.

The US computed tomography market has shown consistent growth over the last three years: this has been primarily driven by the Big Data and population health management systems.

Apart from dose reduction there is an important emphasis on workflow and efficiency to create improvements in the imaging experience for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Trends are being created in the area of preventative screening such as lung cancer.

The computed tomography scanner is capable of dual-energy and spectral imaging to obtain functional information from the same computed tomography scanner.  The benefits of this approach are that patients will not be exposed to an additional radiation dose, and valuable functional information is obtained regarding the disease state: for example, the detection of lesions formed earlier in the disease process and also to assist in a personalised treatment plan.  These concepts can be extended to structural heart imaging.

Computed tomography scanner advancements

The advancements in CT technology are focused on three areas:

  1. The capability to obtain vital clinical information from the CT investigation. The aim is to produce a more confident diagnosis, resulting in less follow-up testing and improved disease management.
  2. To develop methods to extract clinical information at lower radiation doses. This would enable broader use of CT for high-risk populations and early disease detection, such as lung cancer screening.
  3. The integration of clinical information across various diagnostic systems to benefit the individual patient treatment plan.

However, to enable clinical excellence for patients with complex disease states, computed tomography systems must be able to develop advanced modalities in spectral imaging technology for the diagnosis and characterisation of disease states.  Furthermore, CT is mostly used to gain anatomical information and is expressed in tissue density (HU).  This is compared to GE Healthcare – Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI), which can introduce additional contrast to the image to aid the diagnosis of complex disease patterns in the CT images.  The GSI system overcomes the limitations of conventional CT, which adopts a single-parameter imaging mode.  GSI will enable the acquisition of polychromatic images, optimal monochromatic images, iodine (water)-based images, and spectral characterisation diagrams. Therefore, GSI achieves high-resolution imaging and material decomposition by qualitative and quantitative analysis, significantly improving diagnostic accuracy and patient safety.

The Gemstone Spectral Imaging (GSI) process improves image quality compared to conventional imaging techniques. This is due to the higher contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and reduced beam hardening artefacts. In addition, enhanced material separation and quantitative material information are performed, all at a full 50 cm field of view.

GSI can provide vital information regarding the chemical composition of body materials.  For example, distinguishing between calcium, iodine, and water helps in the characterisation of pathology.  The GSI approach can be applied across several areas of clinical diagnosis, including:

  • Enhancing contrast quality with the monochromatic spectral image
  • Beam hardening reduced myocardial perfusion assessment
  • Improved coronary visualisation in the presence of calcification
  • Quantitative lesion characterisation

GSI is a dual-energy technique that uses fast kV switching, including gemstone detector technology, to generate material density data. It simultaneously acquires high and low-energy data sets to produce excellent anatomical information throughout the full 50 cm field of view. However, GSI decreases costs by reducing the requirement for other tests, primarily in the areas of cancer, vascular disease, and kidney stones.

By 2022, the computed tomography scanner market is estimated to be worth $6.5 billion.  This has also been attributed to advancements in the area of 3D printing.  In the future, the new CT scanners will incorporate the stereolithography file format, which will be used in 3D-printed structures as a standard for CT and MR applications of the technology.  Therefore, 3D printers connected to CT scanners can print 3D models of human organs, such as the heart, to assist in preparing for complex surgery and training.  CT scanning takes hundreds of X-ray images of the affected region as they are rotated inside the scanner. The 2D images are combined to produce a 3D point cloud, and the computed tomography image can then be compared to the CAD file to measure the accuracy of the print.

CT systems

Manufacturer
CT ScannerDescription
Toshiba
Aquilion Lightning
The Aquilion Lightning is a 16-row helical CT scanner containing the smallest detector of 0.5 mm for routine isotropic imaging.
Toshiba
FIRST System
The Toshiba FIRST system produces improvements to image quality by using noise reduction to decrease the radiation dose. It also reduces the time for model-based CT image reconstruction.
Philips
IQon Spectral CT
The Philips IQon Spectral CT scanner produces improvements to tissue characterisation and visualisation for the disease state.
SiemensSOMATOM ForceThe Siemens SOMATOM Force is a dual source scanner.  It uses two X-ray sources and two detectors at the same time. This configuration is capable of imaging paediatric and adult patients within one second.

The Siemens portfolio of CT scanners ranges from the 16-slice SOMATOM Scope up to the SOMATOM Force, which is capable of dual-energy imaging and is NEMA XR-29 compliant.

NEMA XR-29 specifies four attributes of CT scanners that optimise and manage radiation doses to deliver the diagnostic image quality the clinician needs.

The four criteria specified by NEMA XR-29 are:

  1. Dose check features
  2. Referencing adult and paediatric protocols
  3. Automatic exposure control
  4. DICOM-compliant radiation dose structured reporting

The equipment advancements continue with GE Healthcare by developing Hepatic VCAR, which enables whole organ segmentation within a minute compared to a standard CT scanner, which would be 10 minutes. This system will streamline the workflow and improve patients’ CT scanning output.

Furthermore, the TAVI (transcatheter aortic valve implantation) analysis assists physicians in treating sick patients with an intuitive, non-invasive planning tool for interventional surgical teams.  Also, the Gemstone Clarity detector platform can have anatomical coverage in a single rotation, reducing the radiation dose required to obtain quality images.

4-,8-, 32-, 40-, 64-, 128-, 256-, 320-, 640-CT Scanners

The Toshiba Aquilion One Vision system is amongst the new generation of CT systems currently on the market.  This scanner has the ability to offer several dose-lowering technologies, including advancements in hardware and software to enhance image quality over previous CT scanners.  Consequently, healthcare institutions have begun to replace the first-generation 64-slice CT scanners with this consideration taken into account:

Do more slices make for a better CT scanner?

The answer is that the overall costs versus the benefits must be understood when purchasing high-slice CT systems. Accordingly, the CT scanner must be able to perform for that particular healthcare institution. For example, if it were to be used for cardiovascular imaging, the technical aspects of CT must have high image quality and resolution.

CT MODEL
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
4-8-slice CT:

GE BrightSpeed Edge-8
GE LightSpeed Ultra-8
GE BrightSpeed Excel-4
GE LightSpeed Plus-4
GE LightSpeed QX/I-4
Siemens Emotion-6
Toshiba Aquilion-8
Toshiba Aquilion-4
Toshiba Asteion-4

The 4-8 slice CT systems are a cost-efficient solution when only necessary CT imaging is required.

The CT scanner can be used to perform a wide variety of examinations and take longer to obtain the images. This is because they only scan and detect a small part of the body.
16-slice CT:

GE Optima 540-16
GE Optima 520-16
GE BrightSpeed-16
GE LightSpeed-16
Philips Brilliance-16
Philips MX 8000 IDT-16
Philips MX-16
Siemens Emotion-16
Siemens Scope-16
Siemens Sensation-16
Toshiba Aquilion-16
The 16 slice CT scanners have 16 rows of CT detectors inside the gantry to produce the images.

Therefore, the scanner can cover a larger area in a single rotation around the patient's body.

The advantages are:
reduced thickness of the body area scanned and therefore an improvement in the resolution compared to a 2 slice CT machine.

this results in faster scanning and is able to cover a specific area of the body compared to 2 slices.

the total scan time using a 16 slice is much shorter than a 2 slice scanner.
32 to 40-slice CT:

GE LightSpeed VCT-32
Philips Brilliance-40
Siemens Sensation-40
Siemens Definition AS-40
Toshiba Aquilion-32
The 32 to 40-slice CT machines provide a more extended coverage per gantry rotation than 16 slice scanners.

This results in shorter examination times and a reduction of motion artefacts.
64-Slice CT:

GE Optima 660-64
Discovery 750 HD-64
GE LightSpeed VCT-64
Philips Ingenuity-64
Philips Brilliance-64
Siemens Sensation-64
Siemens Definition AS-64
Toshiba Aquilion-64
The 64-slice CT scanners are the primary workhorse of cardiac and trauma within high volume critical care units.

The speed and sensitivity of 64-slice CT scanners allow for freeze-frame imaging.  This will reduce the adverse effects that heart and muscle motion have on image quality.
128-slice CT:

GE Optima 660-128
Discovery 750 HD-128
Philips Ict-128
Philips Ingenuity-128
Siemens Definition (AS+)-128
Toshiba CX-128
This 128-slice CT scanner is mostly used in cardiac or research institutions.

It is from the latest generation of CT scanners that have contributed from transforming non-invasive diagnosis.

This CT machine is capable of scanning the whole body in seconds and provide exceptional sharp 3D images of any organ.
256-slice CT:

GE Revolution-256
Philips Brilliance iCT- 256
Siemens Somatom
Definition Flash-256
Toshiba Aquilion beta-256
The Philips 256-slice Brilliance iCT scanner provides 8 cm of coverage.  For example, it can image the entire heart in two scans and includes a rotation speed of 0.27 seconds with 120 kW of power.

The Brilliance iCT scanner is four times more powerful than a 64-slice CT.  Therefore, it allows healthcare professionals to produce high-quality images with excellent acquisition speed.

This Philips technology is able to reduce the radiation doses by up to 80%.

The GE Revolution 256 CT scanner includes a 16 cm whole organ coverage and spatial resolution through the Gemstone Clarity Detector.

Also, the gantry can image at a 0.28-second rotation speed.

The Siemens Somatom Definition Flash 256 CT scanner provides quality imaging and data on many cardiac and vascular conditions, including Aortic aneurysm, pulmonary emboli or deep vein thrombosis, Carotid artery disease, Chest pain, Coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease.

The Toshiba Aquilion beta 256 is equipped with more detectors than the 64-slice CT and in a single scan, it can cover four times the area.

This CT scanner is capable of a single rotation of the X-ray-emitting gantry and can image diameter of 12.8 cm.

This scanner can capture most individual organs in one swoop including the brain, heart, entire joints and most of the lungs and liver.
320-slice CT:

Toshiba Aquilion ONE-320


The 320-slice CT scanners are at the high end of the market and possess excellent image quality. They are especially outstanding for cardiac examinations because they can image the heart in one rotation.

Therefore, the patient does not require sedation or other medications to decrease the heart rate.  This scanner also reduces artefacts due to heart and lung movements.
640-Slice CT:

Toshiba Aquilion ONE-640


The 640-slice CT scanner provides superior diagnostic power and enables clinicians to make a diagnosis with confidence in the shortest time.

The 640-slice CT scanner uses 80% less radiation than conventional scanners.

The 640-slice CT scanner can image the entire heart in 0.275 seconds.

The scanner possesses fast rotation with considerable detector coverage.

The Aquilion ONE has the lowest radiation exposure of any CT scanner on the market.  For example, a CT coronary angiogram is less than 0.5 mSv.

For comparison, a 64-slice scan is approximately 5-8 mSv, and an invasive angiogram is around 10 mSv equivalent to 160 chest X-rays.

The 640-slice CT scanner is able to image the heart in a single rotation.

Also, this CT scanner has improved the accuracy in imaging of cholesterol-rich coronary artery plaques that cause heart attacks.

The only CT scanner that can image the heart in patients with irregular heart rhythm.

The scanner is capable of real-time 4D imaging of moving joints.

The 640-slice CT scanner has an increased spatial resolution of 0.3mm versus >0.5mm for 64 slice scanners, therefore producing increased image quality.

Also, the CT scanner can show the real-time function of organs such as blood flow including the ability to visualise lung nodules as small as 1-2 mm.

The scanner can also quantify visceral fat deposition which is a significant contribution to CVD risk.

Coverage area versus slices

Among healthcare professionals, there is confusion about whether more slices on a CT scanner mean improved images.  Evaluating a computed tomography scanner should involve questioning the detector area coverage – primarily measuring how much of the anatomy is being imaged simultaneously.   It is essential that the greater imaging area covered determines the amount of stitching required for the images of a particular organ. The less stitching of images will lead to a reduction of artefacts that otherwise would require more time to reconstruct and review images.  This is a problem in the movement of the heart and lungs.

The detector area coverage can vary between scanners with the same number of slices because the detectors on each machine are different in size.

For example, the 64-slice systems can range between 19.5 and 40 mm for detector area coverage. However, a system is considered a wide-area detector with an 8 cm coverage or greater. Wide detector systems tend to produce higher sensitivity associated with iterative reconstruction software. This computer software can improve both contrast and spatial resolutions through more powerful workstations.

Healthcare professionals think more slices are better because they do not have sound knowledge of physics or the technology involved in CT scanning.  However, there is another consideration when carrying out high-end CT imaging. For example:

Rotation speed

An important factor of CT scanners is the rotation speed of gantry.  A good rotation speed will produce faster temporal resolution accompanied by a reduction in motion blur which is essential within the vicinity of the heart and lungs.

The most recent CT scanners have a rotational speed under 300 milliseconds compared to the older models which are in the region of 400-500 milliseconds.

Consequently, the first generation 320 slice CT scanner had a rotation speed of 500 milliseconds. These early machines produce blurred images due to the motion artefacts.
Patient output and cardiac CT considerations

The ultimate aim of a CT scanner is to produce good quality anatomical images with a rapid and efficient workflow to contribute to the diagnosis of the disease state of the patient.

The 64-slice CT scanner is the minimum standard to perform a coronary computed tomography angiogram.

It is essential to consider the patient flow when evaluating particular CT scanner needs. Will a standard 64-slice CT scanner be suitable?

If the demand for CT scanning is high in a particular hospital, then the management may consider a wider area detector such as a 256-, 320-, 640-slice scanner.  These machines will have a higher patient output.

Another factor to consider is the cost of purchasing a CT scanner with a wider area detector to deliver faster patient output versus the cost of maintenance etc.

For example, if the hospital is planning to carry out limited cardiac CT scans, then a 64-slice CT scanner with the latest technology will be satisfactory.

The aim is to create an efficient workflow and complete CT scanning of the patient within 15 minutes.
CT Scanner technology to reduce the dose

Today, medical imaging technology has reduced the CT dose that patients receive during the scanning procedure.  The objective of the manufacturer is to produce a CT scanner to provide high-quality images at a lower radiation dose.

For example, the cardiac CT scan used to have an average dose of 15 millisieverts (mSv) or higher.  However, the latest CT scanners can perform with doses of less than 1 mSv.

It is important not to compromise a patient with cardiac disease by doing a CT scan with a low dose and therefore produce low-quality images.  Consequently, an average dose of 5 mSv or below could be used.

A target dose range for cardiac CT scanning may be considered at around 3 mSv or below.

Also, it is vital to understand patient safety by applying low-dose imaging techniques.

Hospitals should invest in advanced CT scanners to help to lower the radiation dose that patients receive.
Improvements in image resolution

The detailed images of smaller anatomical structures are reliant on the spatial resolution of the CT scanner used.

The majority of CT scanners have a spatial resolution of about 0.50.  This could be further reduced by developing improvements in detector and software.

For example, Toshiba has been developing a CT scanner with a spatial resolution of 0.25.

However, at a 0.50 resolution, the radiologists can tell whether there is a stent in a vessel, but it is often a blurry image. At a 0.25 resolution, the images can definitely confirm a stent.

Also, the latest model-based iterative reconstruction software can help improve spatial resolution and contrast.
Miscellaneous

Other considerations regarding CT scanners are the sensitivity of the detectors in capturing photons.

A lower radiation dose can be used with more efficient detectors to produce diagnostic-quality images.

Also, post-processed image data is essential.  Therefore, iterative reconstruction software is also important for lowering dosages and improving image quality.

Healthcare professionals who evaluate new scanners must have a greater understanding of how the software functions especially the type of iterative software the new CT scanner uses.

Also, powerful workstations must be available to process thousands of images in a reasonable time.

These image datasets could be processed on-site or off-site but may depend on the speed that the data can be transmitted.

Mars scanner

Phil Butler and Anthony Butler invented the MARS spectral X-ray scanner at the Universities of Canterbury and Otago, New Zealand.  It was used to scan a patient and to produce 3-D colour medical images.  The MARS spectral X-ray scanner can potentially revolutionise medical imaging by diagnosing and treating many disease states, such as cancer and heart disease.  This computed tomography system provides greater detail of the chemical components within the human body.  A clinical trial using the machine to scan orthopaedic and rheumatology patients is planned.  The technology used to develop the MARS CT scanner was based on the applications of CERN to locate the Higgs boson particle.  The MARS CT scanner measures the X-ray spectrum to produce colour images instead of black-and-white ones. It is able to distinguish between various components within the body, such as fat, water, calcium and disease markers.

However, conventional black-and-white X-rays only allow measurement of the density and shape of an object.

A small version of the MARS scanner has been used to study cancer, bone and joint health, including vascular diseases that can cause heart attacks and strokes. The promising early results have indicated that spectral imaging will enable more accurate diagnosis and provide personalised treatment.

How much does a computed tomography scanner cost?

CT scanner prices vary considerably, including 16-slice, 64-slice, 128-slice, and 256-slice models. The price ranges are based on major manufacturers’ new and refurbished CT scanners.

CT ScannerCost
16-slice CT Scanners
Popular 16-slice models include:

GE BrightSpeed-16
GE LightSpeed-16
GE Optima-540
Siemens Somatom Sensation-16
Siemens Somatom Emotion-16
New 16-slice CT scanner from $285K to $360K.

Refurbished 16-slice CT scanner vary from $90K to $205K.
64-slice CT Scanners
Popular 64-slice models include:

GE LightSpeed VCT-64
GE Optima 660-64
GE Revolution
Siemens SomatomDefinitions AS
Toshiba Aquilion Prime
New 64-slice CT scanner from $500K to $700K.

Refurbished 64-slice CT scanner from $175K to $390K.
128+ Slice CT Scanners
Popular 128 + slice models include:

GE Optima 660
GE Revolution CT: ES
GE Revolution CT: EX
Siemens Somatom Drive
Siemens Somatom Edge
Siemens Somatom Force
New 128-slice CT scanner from $675K to $1M.

Refurbished 128-slice CT scanners from $225K to $650K.

New 256+ slice / dual energy scanners cost from $1.350M-$.1M.
Software and Hardware Features:


CT scanners are categorised by their slice count capabilities are depends on a combination of hardware and software.

Features and upgrades can have an impact on the price of a CT machine. For example, cardiac software can vary between $35K-$100K compared to lung application which may add an extra $15.5K-$35K.
X-Ray Tube
The price of an X-ray tube can range from $40K-$200K in speciality scanners.
Service and SupportThe price of a CT scanner is only a fraction of the total cost of ownership.  Also, you have to consider maintenance, electricity, site planning and operation costs are other components.

As a benchmark, full parts and labour service contract is typically 10%-14% of the purchase price of the CT scanner.

The Future

The next generation of computed tomography scanners will be faster, fully automated and easier to use.  This technology platform will depend on transitioning from standard CT machines to more advanced systems, improving quantification and quicker diagnosis.  The overall emphasis is to assist medical imaging professionals in limiting the patient’s length of stay, thereby reducing cost and improving efficiency.  These future CT scanners will be able to consistently deliver anatomical information and contain the ability to characterise anatomical structures within a single scan.  Hence, future systems will contribute to clinical pathways providing individual personalised treatment plans.  Nevertheless, these future CT advancements require Big Data, and therefore, cloud computing will be used to process the considerable amount of data generated by a single CT scan.

Currently, the GE Health Cloud has enormous potential to analyse data from a CT scan, enabling clinicians to formulate a more accurate response to the treatment of the disease state.

The future of CT scanning will be about how to manage massive data sets during image processing.

Another CT growth area will be in chest pain management.  In these cases, it is paramount for the patient to undergo evaluation quickly to reduce the time spent in the emergency department and to facilitate a safe discharge.  The healthcare sector currently produces vast amounts of diagnostic imaging data but does not have the resources to process it all.  Future healthcare professionals must be able to understand CT technology fully.  Also, they must be confident in quantifying and making sense of the generated data.  Furthermore, and most importantly, the goal is to transfer the results to the patient meaningfully, producing more comprehensive treatment plans and reducing overall costs.

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