The world of medical imaging is no longer just black and white. Photon counting is a next-generation computed tomography (CT) technology that sorts the different energies of X-rays after they have passed through the scan field. A single X-ray source paired with Photon Counting Detector (PCD) generates multiple sets of CT data acquired at the same time with configurable energy thresholds without any cross talk between images. PCD provides the ability to capture CT data in multiple energy bands leading to potentially more accurate visualization and segmentation of bone, blood clots, plaque, hemorrhage, and intracranial tumors. There is also potential with PCD to lower the dose requirements, and fundamentally change the use of injected contrast.

NeuroLogica Corp. (Danvers, MA, USA), the U.S. healthcare subsidiary of Samsung (Suwon-si, South Korea), has received 510(k) clearance for the addition of PCD technology to its state-of-the-art OmniTom Elite. With this, NeuroLogica delivers the first FDA 510(k) cleared, single-source photon counting CT scanner with single detector on a mobile system. OmniTom Elite with PCD can generate spectral CT images at multiple energy levels.

The OmniTom Elite has the ability to provide versatile, real-time mobile imaging to administer point-of-care CT to critical patients without the need to transport them to a separate imaging department. The mobile unit will decrease the time it takes to diagnose and initiate treatment for these critical patients. In the near term, all current OmniTom users will have the opportunity to upgrade their scanners with PCD technology.

“NeuroLogica is driven by innovation. Since the advent of the world’s first multi-slice mobile CT in 2004, we have always known that point-of-care imaging can improve patient outcomes and increase the likelihood of a better quality of life after a traumatic event,” said David Webster, Chief Operating Officer of NeuroLogica. “With the introduction of PCD technology to the OmniTom Elite platform, we look to expand the diagnostic possibilities of CT at the patient’s bedside.” 

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