Siemens Healthineers NAEOTOM Alpha

What it is

NAEOTOM Alpha is a computed tomography (CT) scanner from Siemens Healthineers, the Erlangen-based medical technology group. According to the company, it was the first photon-counting CT scanner in clinical use when it was introduced in 2021. It is designed for a wide range of examinations, from cardiology and oncology to lung imaging and paediatrics.

How it works

A CT scanner rotates an X-ray source and detector around the patient and computes cross-sectional images. Conventional detectors first convert X-rays into visible light with a scintillator and then into an electrical signal, which loses information and blurs the image. The QuantaMax detector in the NAEOTOM Alpha converts X-rays directly into electrical signals and counts individual photons while measuring their energy. Every scan therefore contains spectral information, which helps distinguish tissues and materials, and electronic noise is eliminated.

Why it stands out

Photon-counting CT is regarded as one of the most significant advances in CT technology in decades. The NAEOTOM Alpha can produce slices as thin as 0.2 mm and an in-plane resolution of 0.11 mm, according to Siemens Healthineers. Its native temporal resolution of 66 ms helps image the beating heart. The company says the technology can reduce noise and radiation exposure, which is particularly relevant for children and patients who need repeated scans. It reflects decades of German expertise in medical imaging, going back to the early days of X-ray technology.

Where you meet it

NAEOTOM Alpha scanners are installed in university hospitals and large clinics, where they are used for heart, lung, bone and cancer imaging. Patients notice only a fast, quiet scan, while radiologists see sharper images with more information.