Scheduled to debut at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America in Chicago, the AquilionONE is the world’s first dynamic volume computed tomography (CT) system. This advanced diagnostic imaging system by Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., is a breakthrough as it reduces the time taken for diagnosis from days to just minutes thereby potentially saving lives.
For the first time doctors can view the blood flow and the functions of an organ rather than just seeing the three dimensional depiction. It can capture an organ or area in a single rotation at one point in time eliminating the need for multiple and duplicative tests, thereby reducing the exam time along with the radiation and contrast dose, and not to forget making it less expensive as one doesn’t need to pay for other unnecessary tests. This is possible due to the 320 ultra high resolution 0.5 mm detector elements which covers up to 16 cm in one rotation. Doug Ryan, the senior director of CT Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems identifies the AquilionONE as the culmination of a decade of dedicated research and regards it as an important milestone in the history of computed tomography as it enhances patient care by simultaneously reducing the cost of healthcare.
The development of the Quantum Detector technology paved the way for the production of the thinnest detector elements at 0.5mm with best low contrast resolution. It also comes with innovative features including an exam table that can accommodate up to 650 lbs.
It is extremely beneficial to patients exhibiting neurological and stroke symptoms. It speeds up the entire process of diagnosis, saving the patient a lot of time when time is of utmost importance. Usually a patient is taken to the hospital’s CT system for various tests and, also, has to take additional tests such as MR exams, which consumes a lot of time, extending over several hours. Thanks to AquilionONE, this entire process could be over in a matter of minutes, and, therefore could greatly impact the quality of life.
source: medicalnewstoday
image source: stmarysathens