FDA approves the Somatom Perspective (Siemens) CT Scanner

The FDA has cleared the Somatom Perspective, a 128-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner, from Siemens. It is designed especially for community hospitals, critical access hospitals and outpatient centers, offering the ability to extend the range of available examinations at reduced radiation dose at lower costs. The device uses Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies to help simplify and automate time-consuming, complex procedures, and capable of scanning a 50 cm area with high image quality in just 5.21 seconds, the Somatom Perspective can potentially image all body regions, widening clinical capabilities to potentially include high-end neurology and cardiac scanning. It also includes SAFIRE, a method for iterative CT image reconstruction based on raw data, which helps users reduce dose by up to 60% compared to previous filtered back projection techniques.