Diagnostics
Siemens SPECT/CT approved by Health Canada
January 25, 2023
OAKVILLE, Ont. – Siemens Healthineers has received Health Canada licensing for its Symbia Pro.specta, a single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) system that has advanced SPECT and CT imaging technologies.
Capabilities include a low-dose CT of up to 64 slices for impressive detail, automatic SPECT motion correction for additional image clarity, and an intuitive and automated workflow to guide the user through the entire decision-making process of the examination. Symbia Pro.specta is an all-purpose system that can be customized to accommodate a wide range of clinical exams, patient types, and department settings. All in all, the new clinically relevant features, workflow enhancements and automations allow for a positive user and patient experience.
Historically, SPECT/CT has not been accessible to all healthcare providers. Instead, many institutions continue to use SPECT-only gamma cameras, which cannot always accommodate the clinical needs of a modern molecular-imaging or radiology department. With its optimized, low-dose imaging, intuitive workflow, and ability to fit into most existing SPECT rooms, Symbia Pro.specta removes barriers to SPECT/CT adoption and helps providers to transition from SPECT-only and early-generation SPECT/CT systems.
At the heart of Symbia Pro.specta is myExam Companion, which includes an intuitive user interface that eliminates the traditional manual and user-dependent SPECT/CT imaging workflow. myExam Companion provides automated tools to guide the user through every step of the exam’s decision-making process – from system and patient preparation to image acquisition and reconstruction to evaluation and postprocessing.
This enables departments to achieve consistent results quickly and more easily, regardless of the patient, procedure, or user experience level. Another major innovation that comes as standard is data-driven patient motion correction, which automatically corrects for patient movement in a SPECT exam with the click of a button, improving image quality without adding complexity.
Additionally, data-driven respiratory motion correction for cardiac examinations is available as an option.
Designed for all SPECT/CT imaging applications, Symbia Pro.specta can be tailored as needed with specialized clinical tools for optimized imaging in cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, and more. Flexible detectors along with an accessible design facilitate imaging for a wide range of patient types – including pediatric, obese, and physically challenged patients – without compromising exam quality, patient comfort, or staff efficiency. The scanner also can be used for either stand-alone diagnostic CT or SPECT imaging, providing the user with the same intuitive interface for simpler operation.
Symbia Pro.specta features a minimum of 32 and a maximum of 64 CT slices, and it comes standard with tin filter and CT iterative reconstruction (SAFIRE) for ultra-low patient and room dose. Metal artifact reduction (iMAR) is available as an option on all Symbia Pro.specta SPECT/CT systems for improved image quality. Its advanced quantification capabilities help the user determine the patient’s response to therapy. Capable of imaging at any energy level, the scanner is primed for imaging the high-energy isotopes increasingly used in theranostics, an approach that combines diagnostic and therapeutic agents to treat patients.
“We are very pleased to introduce the Symbia Pro.specta SPECT/CT scanner in Canada. This new scanner will provide customers with the ideal vehicle for transitioning from their SPECT-only and first-generation SPECT/CT cameras to a state-of-the-art SPECT/CT scanner that can perform a full spectrum of nuclear medicine examinations,” said Scott MacDonald, CT business line manager, Siemens Healthineers, Canada. “Symbia Pro.specta will help healthcare institutions overcome barriers to care by ensuring accessibility through its ease of use and ability to fit into existing SPECT rooms.”
For more information, visit https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-ca/molecular-imaging/spect-ct-scanner/symbia-prospecta.
About Siemens Healthineers
As a leading medical technology company headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, Siemens Healthineers and its regional companies are continuously developing their product and service portfolio, with AI-supported applications and digital offerings that play an increasingly important role in the next generation of medical technology. These new applications will enhance the company’s foundation in in-vitro diagnostics, image-guided therapy, in-vivo diagnostics, and innovative cancer care. Siemens Healthineers also provides a range of services and solutions to enhance healthcare providers’ ability to provide high-quality, efficient care. In fiscal 2022, which ended on September 30, 2022, Siemens Healthineers, which has approximately 69,500 employees worldwide, generated revenue of around €21.7 billion and adjusted EBIT of almost €3.7 billion. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.com.