Dear AuntMinnie Member,
In the latest segment in our ongoing AuntMinnieTV series, Advances in CT Technology, we profile new product introductions at the 2005 RSNA conference from Siemens Medical Solutions.
Siemens of Malvern, PA, made one of the more unique CT debuts at the show with Somatom Definition, a new system that turns traditional CT instrumentation on its head by incorporating two sets of x-ray tubes and detector arrays in the system's gantry.
The design results in a scanner that's twice as fast as the 64-slice systems that are currently the state of the art in the industry -- a big advantage for cardiac exams. The dual-source architecture also creates intriguing possibilities for dual-energy studies, according to the vendor.
But Siemens still sees a role for conventional single-source multidetector CT, and showcased applications for its Somatom Sensation and Emotion scanners as well. These included computer-assisted reading tools and software applications designed to improve workflow for radiology practices -- including those that will be installing the new dual-source scanners, which will be producing twice as much data as the 64-slice models.
Learn all about the company's technology by clicking here. You can also review previous Advances in CT Technology reports by visiting our RSNA 2005 Video Gallery.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
