Mobile PET CT To Deliver Cancer Screening Closer To The Community

Main Category: MRI / PET / Ultrasound
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 22 Feb 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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InHealth Molecular Imaging Solutions, leading provider of diagnostic and imaging services, has installed the first of four Biograph™ 6 TruePoint™ PET CT systems from Siemens into mobile vehicles. This is to fulfil its commitment to the Department of Health as chosen independent sector partner for delivering the PET/CT NHS Diagnostic Imaging Service.

PET•CT imaging is critical in oncology patient management. Patients undergoing cancer care need multiple scans throughout the course of treatment. Historically, in some cases, patients in the south of the UK needed to travel 50-100 miles for the procedure. The new mobile service will deliver screening provision closer to the community, reducing travelling time for people undergoing treatment.

Thirteen locations across five southern Strategic Health Authority areas will have regular visits from the InHealth mobile PET•CT vehicle. The service will be delivered to a variety of settings including NHS Trusts and other community sites suited to the vehicle. Images taken inside the mobile facility are seamlessly sent to the local health area PACS to be read by local radiologists.

Stewart Howell, Chief Operating Officer of Molecular Imaging at InHealth states, "Delivering PET•CT closer to the community reduces anxiety and lengthy travel requirements for patients undergoing cancer detection. The Siemens systems will assist us in delivering greater access to valuable screening services in the south of England."

The Biograph TruePoint PET•CT integrates the functional sensitivity of PET with the rich anatomical detail of diagnostic CT. It detects changes in molecular activity even before anatomical changes become visible helping to detect primary tumours and metastases. The TrueV functionality widens the axial field of view by 33% and collects 78% more data. It may be used to reduce the amount of each injected dose by as much as 50%. When added to the UFC detectors, it speeds up CT rotation times allowing image acquisition twice as fast as a traditional PET•CT scan and without image quality being compromised.

"The Biograph TruePoint PET•CT offers higher speed acquisitions that not only increase patient comfort during uncertain examinations but also speed up patient throughput. This makes it an ideal solution for a mobile screening services looking to maximise the number of patients it can see in an area, whilst also managing the stress levels of patients," said Lawrence Foulsham, Product Manager for Molecular Imaging & Oncology at Siemens.

The system has been completely redesigned recently to incorporate hardware improvements such as a shorter gantry to reclaim critical space in the scan room, a special cantilevered patient handling system with automatic lock-down and a completely integrated closed loop cooling system with no external chilling requirement. It also boasts significant workflow improvements to facilitate remote operation and support for multiple site connectivity.

Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care -- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion (on a pro forma basis including Dade Behring roughly €11 billion), orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

InHealth Group is a leading provider of diagnostic and imaging services operating, predominantly in the UK, in partnership with the NHS. It delivers over 700 contracts at all levels in the Health Sector, and employs over 1,000 staff directly along with an extensive network of clinical and radiology specialists.

Its market leading services, established nearly 15 years ago, include Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Cardiac and Diagnostic Centres, Instrument Decontamination and the supply of a wide range of clinical consumables and single use products. InHealth Group has extensive experience of designing, building, equipping, staffing and efficiently operating facilities with state of the art equipment and technology and quality accredited services

InHealth Group

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