Malvern, Pa.-based Siemens Healthineers announces the launch of Somatom X.ceed, a high-resolution, high-speed CT engineered specifically for the most challenging clinical areas where time and precision are of essence.

To support medical staff in their workflows during critical situations, two “companions” for automated user guidance are integrated: myExam Companion, which guides users through diagnostic procedures; and myNeedle Companion, which supports targeted needle path planning as well as laser-guided insertion across multiple modalities.

As a result, the single-source CT scanner can assist healthcare providers with their clinical decisions in areas like emergency imaging, cardiac CT, and CT-guided interventions. Moreover, with its large, 82-cm bore and tablet operation, Somatom X.ceed is designed to enhance user and patient experience, Siemens officials say.

myNeedle Companion for Minimally Invasive Treatment

With myNeedle Companion, Siemens Healthineers simplifies the workflow in minimally invasive treatments. myNeedle Companion is a combination of hardware and software designed to reduce the complexity in CT-guided interventions.

In addition, it is the first technology with a harmonized user interface for the planning and guidance of percutaneous needle procedures across imaging modalities, be it for a CT or an angiography system. Once the workflow is trained on one modality, the training efforts on another modality are expected to be much shorter.

This can help to reduce unwarranted variations and minimize training efforts. Also, familiar user interfaces let the radiologist concentrate on what matters: accurate needle positioning with the help of the myNeedle Laser: a fully integrated option that projects the needle entry point and insertion angle directly on the body of the patient—even in advanced double-angulated procedures with multiple needle paths.

“As the number and complexity of radiological procedures increase, demands on staff are reaching heightened levels,” says Philipp Fischer, head of CT at Siemens Healthineers. “This continues to cause unwarranted variation, in both diagnostic and interventional procedures.”

He adds, “Somatom X.ceed, together with myNeedle Companion, is a true game-changer for CT-guided interventions. After the introduction of myExam Companion last year, reducing the overall complexity of scanner operation in as many aspects as possible was our next logical step.”