Siemens Introduces the Future of Molecular Imaging at SNMMI

At the 2013 annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), June 8-12, in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, Siemens Healthcare (booth 720) will display two new platforms with the potential to change how molecular imaging is performed. Symbia Intevo—the world’s first xSPECT system—combines the high sensitivity of single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the high specificity of CT, completely integrating the data from the two modalities, to generate high resolution and, for the first time, quantitative images.¹ Meanwhile, Biograph mCT Flow is a new positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) system that, overcomes the limitations of conventional bed-based PET/CT with FlowMotion. This new technology moves the patient smoothly through the system’s gantry, while continuously acquiring PET data. These two new systems demonstrate Siemens’ innovation and competitiveness—key components of the Healthcare Sector’s Agenda 2013 two-year initiative.
 
“To be a true innovation leader, you need to recognize that it’s not just about the next new technology, but new technology that improves the quality of care, while helping reduce costs,” says Dr. James Williams, CEO of Siemens Molecular Imaging. “Siemens recognizes that these two elements must go hand-in-hand, and with our new molecular imaging solutions, we again demonstrate our commitment to true innovation leadership by overcoming the limitations of conventional PET and SPECT systems to help provide answers to the toughest clinical questions in the safest and most efficient way possible.”

Symbia Intevo - The difference between seeing and knowing
In traditional SPECT/CT imaging, the SPECT image has always been reconstructed at a low resolution matrix—much lower than the CT portion of the exam. As a result, the CT resolution must be downgraded dramatically to the level of SPECT to enable mechanical fusion of the two modalities. Siemens’ new Symbia Intevo xSPECT system reconstructs both the SPECT and CT portions of the image into a much higher frame of reference than previous systems for precise, accurate alignment facilitating the extraction and deep integration of medically relevant information. This ability is also the basis for differentiating between tissue boundaries in bone imaging. With xSPECT Bone¹ physicians can potentially provide additional support for detection and distinguishing between cancerous lesions and degenerative disorders.

World’s first truly quantitative SPECT – Quantify the difference
Symbia Intevo’s precise alignment of SPECT and CT provides physicians with essential volumetric information from the CT scan, enabling accurate and consistent quantitative assessment—a numerical indication of a tumor’s level of metabolic activity. With accurate quantitative assessment, the physician can apply quantitative information to assess whether a patient's course of treatment has regressed, stabilized or grown—something that is difficult to do with a purely visual assessment of the tumor.
 
Reduced CT dose
While Symbia Intevo uses more CT data than ever before, Siemens is still able to limit patient dose by offering combined applications to reduce exposure (CARE). These applications, which are unique to Siemens, include the CARE Dose4D™ technique, which can reduce patient CT radiation dose by up to 68 percent.4

Increased productivity and throughput
Symbia Intevo also offers applications to improve productivity and patient throughput. For example, Siemens’ AUTOFORM collimator—which is standard on Symbia Intevo—captures up to 26 more counts, or photons that are generated from radiotracer activity.⁴ This increased number of counts potentially boosts image acquisition time and patient throughput.

Biograph mCT Flow PET•CT system – The end of stop and go
At SNMMI 2013, Siemens also will showcase its new Biograph mCT Flow™ system with FlowMotion technology. Breaking through the limitations of conventional bed-based, stop-and-go imaging, the continuous FlowMotion of Biograph mCT Flow enables physicians to conduct customized scans tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy for the finest³ detail in every organ. Additionally, FlowMotion provides accurate and reproducible quantification in all dimensions for precise disease characterization in therapy monitoring. Finally, Biograph mCT Flow eliminates radiation due to overscanning, while its continuous motion and wide 78 cm bore provides the patient with a more relaxing diagnostic experience. For more information on Biograph mCT Flow, please refer to the accompanying press release on the new system. 

Alzheimer’s evaluation
Additionally at this year’s SNMMI annual meeting, Siemens Molecular Imaging will highlight the world’s first comprehensive amyloid imaging solution⁵  for the visualization and quantification of amyloid plaques—a necessary pathology of Alzheimer’s disease—in the living brain. This comprehensive amyloid imaging solution includes the Biograph mCT PET•CT family of scanners, syngo®.PET Amyloid Plaque software5—which enables the physician to evaluate amyloid plaque density in the living brain—and the radiopharmaceutical production and distribution expertise of PETNET Solutions, a wholly owned Siemens subsidiary. This unique combination of scanner, software and PET radiopharmaceutical expertise is a valuable tool for the evaluation of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of cognitive decline.

One integration, infinite possibilities
Siemens will also introduce the new Explora One™ chemistry box, a fully integrated cassette-based solution for the production of commercially available and newly released 18F PET imaging biomarkers, as well as imaging biomarkers under development or in clinical trials. A fully integrated hardware design aids compliance with a wide range of imaging biomarker production scenarios, with the benefit of reduced lab space, which in turn reduces initial setup costs. Explora One also virtually eliminates user error by providing an automated and integrated workflow for easy imaging biomarker production, improving production output efficiency and quality and decreasing the risk of loss of revenue due to human error and contamination.

Launched in November 2011, Agenda 2013 is the initiative of the Siemens Healthcare Sector to further strengthen its innovative power and competitiveness. Specific measures, which will be implemented by the end of 2013, have been defined in four fields of action: innovation, competitiveness, regional footprint, and people development.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2012 (to September 30), the Sec-tor posted revenue of 13.6 billion euros and profit of around 1.8 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

¹ xSPECT, Symbia Intevo, and xSPECT Quantification are not licensed according to Canadian law, are pending 510(k) clearance, and are not yet commercially available in Canada, the United States or in all countries worldwide. Due to regulatory reasons, theirfuture availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.
² Biograph mCT Flow and FlowMotion are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons, its future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.
³ Based on volumetric resolution of 87mm3. Based on competitive literature available at time of publication. Data on file.
⁴  Based on competitive literature available at time of publication. Data on file.
⁵ syngo.PET Amyloid Plaque is intended for use only with approved amyloid radiopharmaceuticals in the country of use. Users should review the drug labeling for approved uses.