Siemens, a leading provider of industry and infrastructure solutions, has installed Somatom Definition Adaptive Scanner (AS+) - the world's fastest Computed Tomograph (CT) scanner at KG Hospital & Post Graduate Medical Institute in Coimbatore.

This CT that adapts to virtually any patient and clinical need is capable of all routine diagnostic work as well as advanced examinations in cardiology, neurology and oncology. It is also suited for emergency situations like accidents, strokes or heart attacks requiring speedy diagnosis. Even difficult patients - obese, trauma and children - are quickly scanned with high diagnostic confidence. The system with its 128 slices/per rotation has the fastest rotation speed of 300 ms in the industry, a Siemens press release stated.

The Somatom Definition AS+ is the first scanner to combine dynamic components such as the unique Adaptive Dose Shield to enable fast whole body examinations required for patients with multiple trauma. With its high speed, adaptability and image quality, not only can all clinical investigations be accelerated, but since the system is capable of scanning patients with extensive trauma, it permits faster application of life-saving treatment. Another outstanding feature of the Somatom Definition AS+ is the unique Adaptive 4D-Spiral with its bidirectional movement of the patient table. With this technique, entire organs like the whole brain can be imaged and function evaluated in a single scan, which is another 'first' for the CT technology.

At the launch, D. Ragavan, executive vice president, Siemens Medical Solutions, India informed, "This is a major breakthrough for Siemens as Somatom Definition is the fastest CT scanner in the world. With the new Adaptive Scanner, this CT allows multiple usages. In addition to the conventional scan, it can now be used for stroke diagnosis and can function as a non-invasive catheter laboratory or as a tool for therapy management with cancer patients or even as an interventional suite - all according to the need of an individual patient. Besides these unique applications, the system helps radiologists to deliver significantly lower radiation doses. We are even more delighted with this installation, as this is the first one in Asia (excluding Japan) and with this, we once again demonstrate our keenness and ability to let the Indian healthcare community to access the latest technologies at the earliest. We would like to congratulate Dr. K.G. Bakthavathsalam and his team to have taken this step to bring in the best possible technologies for the benefit of their patients".

"India is becoming a capital for diabetes and heart attacks. The younger generation of Indians with their habits and different lifestyles come in with symptoms of chest pain. This fastest scanner is a boon for such patients, which will predict early changes in the blood vessels of the heart and the doctor can modify their lifestyle and give advice on lifestyle modifications, which will make them live long, thus creating a strong and healthy India," said Dr. G. Bakthavathsalam, chairman, K G Hospital & Post Graduate Medical Institute, Coimbatore.