GE launches SPECT technology, cuts time, reduces dose

GE Healthcare on March 25 launched Alcyone Technology, a nuclear cardiology platform combining cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors, focused pin-hole collimation, 3D reconstruction and stationary data acquisition. The combined package will improve workflow, dose management and overall image quality, according to the company.  

The new Alcyone technology will be available on both the Discovery NM 530c and the Discovery NM/CT 570c. Opportunities exist for the new clinical applications including 3D dynamic acquisitions and simultaneous dual isotope imaging.    

During conventional nuclear cardiac imaging, patient must hold their arms above their head for two scans that take between 15-20 minutes each. The Alcyone technology reduces scanning time to 3-5 minutes, potentially reducing artifacts caused by patient motion, which is more likely to happen during longer scans.

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