Siemens Definition Flash

The Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash is an industry-defining Dual-Source CT scanner engineered for maximum acquisition speed and ultra-low radiation dose exposure. Built with two STRATON™ X-ray tubes and two 128-slice Stellar detector arrays (generating up to 256/384 reconstructive slices), the Flash platform achieves native sub-second temporal resolution down to 75 ms. Featuring the Flash Spiral scan mode with table feed speeds up to 458 mm/s, the system can complete a chest scan in 0.6 seconds and a complete cardiac scan in a fraction of a heartbeat—often at sub-1 mSv radiation doses

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Description

Overview

The Siemens SOMATOM Definition Flash redefines high-end diagnostic performance by pairing extreme speed with minimal radiation exposure. Engineered as Siemens’ flagship second-generation dual-source CT scanner, it addresses high-volume, high-acuity clinical environments like emergency departments, pediatric units, and advanced cardiovascular suites.

By operating two complete imaging chains simultaneously on an ultra-fast 0.28-second rotating gantry, the Definition Flash captures whole organs in fractions of a second. Patients with severe arrhythmias, elevated heart rates, or those unable to hold their breath no longer pose a challenge. Furthermore, its Selective Photon Shield filters out low-energy scatter, making spectral Dual Energy characterization routine at doses comparable to standard single-energy exams.

Key Features & Advanced Technologies

  • Flash Spiral Scan Mode: Operates at table feed speeds up to 458 mm/s (pitch up to 3.4). Acquires a complete thoracic scan in 0.6 seconds, eliminating respiratory motion artifacts without requiring patient breath-holds.

  • 75 ms Native Temporal Resolution: Isolates rapid movement in coronary arteries without requiring beta-blocker pre-medication.

  • Selective Photon Shield (Dual Energy): Integrates tin filter technology into the high-kV tube assembly. Eliminates non-diagnostic low-energy photons to deliver dose-neutral Dual Energy material decomposition (e.g., virtual non-contrast, iodine mapping, bone removal).

  • Twin STRATON™ MX P Tubes: Direct-oil liquid cooling supplies an effective thermal dissipation rate of 7.3 MHU/min per tube. Offers 200 kW generator reserves (2 x 100 kW) for unlimited back-to-back scanning without thermal downtime.

  • Stellar Detector Array: Directly converts signals at the photodiode layer to eliminate electronic background noise, preserving sub-millimeter diagnostic contrast in low-kV and obese patient studies.

  • Comprehensive Dose Reduction Suite: Integrates SAFIRE™ model-based iterative reconstruction, CARE kV (automated voltage tuning), and Adaptive Dose Shield to lower overall dose profiles by up to 60%–80%.

Technical Specifications

Parameter Specification
Gantry Architecture Dual Source (2 x STRATON™ Tubes / 2 x Stellar Detector Arrays)
Slice Capabilities 2 x 128 (256-slice acquisition, reconstructive up to 384 slices)
Gantry Bore Aperture 78 cm Clearance
Rotation Speed 0.28 seconds full 360° gantry rotation
Temporal Resolution 75 ms native in-plane
Max Scan Table Speed Up to 458 mm/s (Flash Spiral pitch up to 3.4)
Generator Power 200 kW Total Output (2 x 100 kW)
Dynamic Coverage Up to 140 mm Z-axis coverage (Adaptive 4D Spiral)
Patient Table Load Supports up to 227 kg (500 lbs) unrestricted

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