Professional Documents
Culture Documents
February 2005
Report 05015
Wide bore CT scanner
comparison report version 12
www.mhra.gov.uk
nww.medical-devices.nhs.uk
Contents
Introduction
5
Purpose of this report .............................................................................5
Comparison method ...............................................................................5
Specification comparison........................................................................5
Scanners covered in this report ..............................................................6
Table 1: Scanners covered in this report ................................................6
Specification comparison
7
Table 2: Scanner gantry .........................................................................7
Table 3: Couch .......................................................................................7
Table 4: X-ray generator.........................................................................8
Table 5: X-ray tube .................................................................................8
Table 6: Detection system ......................................................................9
Table 7: System start-up and calibration ................................................9
Table 8: Scan parameters ....................................................................10
Table 9: Helical scanning......................................................................11
Table 10: Scan projection radiography (SPR) ......................................11
Table 11: Manufacturers' performance data .........................................12
Table 12: Factors affecting image quality .............................................13
Table 13: Operator's console................................................................14
Table 14: Main computer ......................................................................14
Table 15: Image storage.......................................................................15
Table 16: Image reconstruction on main console .................................16
Table 17: 3D reconstruction display......................................................17
Table 18: Optional facilities...................................................................18
Table 19: Installation requirements.......................................................19
Table 20: Independent workstation.......................................................20
Table 21: Image transfer and connectivity ............................................21
Appendix 1: ImPACT and the MHRA
22
Background ..........................................................................................22
ImPACT ................................................................................................22
MHRA support to purchasers and users...............................................22
Introduction
Purpose of this report
In May 2003 the UK Government announced a 90 million fund to replace all CT and
MRI scanners installed before 1997 as part of the NHS Cancer Plan.
ImPACT have produced comparison reports for each phase of the purchase
program. The primary aim of these reports is to aid the equipment selection process
by providing comparisons of CT scanners that are currently on the market.
This report is for phase 7 of the Cancer Plan funding. There are four separate reports
for six to ten, sixteen, and 32 to 64 slice CT scanners, as well as a report on wide
bore systems.
The scope of this report is limited to CT scanners that have a gantry bore wider than
a standard system. These systems have been developed primarily for applications in
radiotherapy planning.
Comparison method
The data given in this report are representative of the scanners as of February 2005,
and are liable to change as the performance of individual scanner models is changed
and upgraded. In particular, optional features such as workstations and software
packages may be listed as standard for the scanner replacement programme, but
may not be included in other, separate scanner purchases.
There are two main areas for comparison of the scanners: performance and
specification. None of the scanners in this report have been tested by ImPACT at the
time of publication, so the scope of this document is restricted to a comparison of
system specifications.
Specification comparison
The specification comparison is presented as a side-by-side summary comparison of
the specification of each scanner, workstation and related equipment. It is grouped
into a series of sub-sections relating to different aspects of the scanner, such as
gantry, tube and detectors etc. Manufacturers supplied the specification data in
response to a template issued by ImPACT. The data has not been verified by
ImPACT.
Introduction
Scanner model
GE
LightSpeedRT
Philips
AcQsim RT Simulator CT
Siemens
The GE LightSpeedRT is a four slice system with a gantry aperture of 80 cm. It has a
maximum scan field of view of 50 cm, but is able to reconstruct images up to 65 cm
using extrapolation methods.
The fourth generation AcQsim RT Simulator CT from Philips is a single slice scanner
with a patient bore of 85 cm, and a maximum scan field of view of 60 cm.
The 20-slice Siemens Somatom Sensation Open has a gantry bore of 82 cm, with a
maximum scan field of view of 50 cm. It is possible to reconstruct images up to 82 cm
using extrapolation methods. The detector bank consists of 32 x 0.6 mm and
8 x 1.2 mm rows. The Open features the Siemens Straton x-ray tube, a new novel
design of x-ray tube with fast cooling rates.
Toshiba and Philips have recently announced new wide bore systems, but detailed
specifications were not available at the time of publication. The Philips Brilliance CT
Big Bore will be a 16-slice system with an aperture of 85 cm, a scan field of view of
60 cm, and a maximum image size of 60 cm. The Toshiba Aquilion Large Bore will
also be a 16-slice system, with a gantry aperture of 90 cm, a scan field of view of 70
cm, and a maximum image size of 85 cm.
Specification comparison
Table 2: Scanner gantry
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
3rd
4th
3rd
Low voltage
Low voltage
Low voltage
80
85
82
25 and 50
60
50, 82 extended
2, 3, 4, 5, 8
30
30
30
Laser
Laser
Laser
1 at any laser
to patient distance
0.5 mm at
centre of gantry
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Carbon fibre
Carbon fibre
Carbon fibre
239 x 62
(42 just for cradle)
168 x 34
(just for cradle)
243 x 40
(just for cradle)
170
180
200
up to 100
1 - 150
0.25
0.25
0.25
170 (Axial),
160 (Helical & Scout)
162
157
170 (Axial),
160 (Helical & Scout)
162
157
51 - 99
56 - 103
53 - 102
72.8 - 99.1
76 - 103
82.5 - 102
51
56
53
205
205
200
180 (0.25mm)
205 (1mm)
205
200
Generation
Slipring
Aperture (cm)
Scan fields of view (cm)
Nominal slice widths for axial scans
(mm)
Table 3: Couch
Specification comparison
Table 4: X-ray generator
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
High frequency
High frequency
High frequency
Rotation assembly
Rotation assembly
Rotation assembly
53.2
56
50
10 - 440
(5mA steps)
30 - 400
(10mA steps)
28 - 400
(1mA steps)
80kV: 400 mA
100kV: 420 mA
120kV: 440 mA
140kV: 380 mA
80kV: 400 mA
100kV: 400 mA
120kV: 400 mA
130kV: 320 mA
140kV: 320 mA
80 kV: 400mA
100kV: 400mA
120kV: 400mA
140kV: 360mA
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
GE Performix Pro
Philips Rhino
Siemens Straton
0.6 x 0.7
0.9 x 0.9
0.4 x 0.5
0.9 x 0.9
0.8 x 1.1
Automatically selected
dependent on scan
protocols
Not applicable
3.2
6.8
6.3
6.5
0.6, equiv to 30
1386
830
5000
Glycol to air
Oil to air
Oil to air
1 year unlimited
guarantee
100,000 revolutions
1 year unlimited
guarantee
Type
Location
Power rating (kW)
kV settings available
mA Range and Step size
Method of cooling
Guaranteed tube life
Specification comparison
Table 6: Detection system
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Solid state
(HiLight / Lumex)
Solid State
(Cadmium Tungstate)
Solid state
(Ultra Fast Ceramic)
2400
672
(1344 channels)
16
40
16 x 1.25
32 x 0.6,
8 x 1.2
20
28.8
None currently
None currently
Yes
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
10
0.5
Part of warm-up
procedure
Not required
Not required
13 (inc warm-up)
Not required
Not required
<3
Detector type
Specification comparison
Table 8: Scan parameters
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
9.6 to 65
4 - 60
5 - 82
65
82
2 x 0.625, 1 x 1.25,
4 x 1.25, 1 x 2.5,
4 x 3.75, 4 x 5
2, 3, 4, 5, 8
20 x 1.2, 10 x 2.4, 5 x
4.8, 4 x 6, 1 x 5, 2 x 12,
1 x 10
1, 2, 3, 4
0.6*, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5
0.33*(option), 0.5
(option), 0.67* , 1.0s
10 - 440
(5mA steps)
30 - 400
(10mA steps)
28 - 400
(1mA steps)
80kV: 400 mA
100kV: 420 mA
120kV: 440 mA
140kV: 380 mA
80kV: 400 mA
100kV: 400 mA
120kV: 400 mA
130kV: 320 mA
140kV: 320 mA
80 kV: 400mA
100kV: 400mA
120kV: 400mA
140kV: 360mA
kV settings available
mA Range and Step size
10
Specification comparison
Table 9: Helical scanning
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5
20
2 slice : 1
4-slice : 0.75 & 1.5
0.5-3.0 freeely
selectable
0.45 - 2.0
freely selectable
2 slice : 1
4-slice : 0.75 & 1.5
None
None
GE Proprietary
algorithms
(SmartHelical & MDMP,
including
CrossBeamTM &
HyperplaneTM)
Fan Beam
Limited by disc
capacity and tube
loading
120
Limited by disc
capacity and tube
loading
100
1600
Limited by disc
capacity and tube
loading
1570
30
30
30
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
1600
1800
1536
500 x 1600
600 x 1800
500 x 1536
0 - 359
(1 steps)
0 - 359
No
No
Yes
0.25
0.25
0.5
Accuracy of distance
measurements from SPR's taken at
isocentre (lateral and axial
directions) (mm)
0.25
0.5
11
Specification comparison
Table 11: Manufacturers' performance data
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
MTF0: 15.4
MTF10: 13.9
(10cm DFOV, Edge
alg, Small Focus)
MTF0 15 lp/cm
3.5 mm @ 0.35%
Spiral: 5 mm @ 0.3%
@ 21 mGy: 120 kV,
140 mAs 10 mm
Water : 3
Air: 10
Water: 4
130 kV
12.8
18
18.7
13.8
21.5
19.8
130 kV
20 x 1.2 mm
4.1
5.2
5.8
8.8
13
11.1
20: 20.6(l)
15: 16.5 (s)
10: 11.5 (s)
5: 6.7 (s)
1.25: 3.5 (s)
2 x 0.63:1.9(s)
GE LightSpeed RT
Spatial resolution (lp/cm) for
sharpest clinical algorithm.
Acquisition parameters in brackets.
Contrast resolution: smallest rod
size (mm) discernable at given
parameters in 20 cm CATPHAN
12
Specification comparison
Table 12: Factors affecting image quality
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
No
No
No
Automatic mA control
(AEC / mA modulation) software
3D Dose Modulation
No
Yes
(CAREDose 4D)
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes (automatic)
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
880
2400
672
(1344 channels)
984 @ 1s scan
(hardware capable to
1760)
2400
Max. 2320
No
Modified beam
hardening (abdomen,
pelvis, shoulder),
Motion correction
(sequential modes),
Posterior Fossa
optimisation
GE Proprietary
algorithms
(SmartHelical & MDMP,
including
CrossBeamTM &
HyperplaneTM)
Not required
13
Specification comparison
Table 13: Operator's console
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
20
21 CRT
18.1
1 acquisition and
optional 1 x review and
processing shared
database console
1024 x 1024
1024 x 1024
-31743 to +31743
-1000 to +3094
-1024 to +3071
(-10,240 to 30,710 if
metal implants)
< 2 times
image pixel size
0.25
depends on
pixel size
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
Mouse, trackball,
keyboard
Mouse, keyboard
Mouse, keyboard
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
HP XW8000
Sun Ultrasparc
Siemens PC
compatible with array
processors
Operating system
Unix
Windows XP
2 x 2.66 GHz
64 bit RISC
18
12
18
Control methods
GE LightSpeed RT
14
Specification comparison
Table 15: Image storage
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
254
34
627
254
54
627
146
(250,000 images)
146
(260,000 images)
300
Archive options
Tape (standard)
MOD Option
5-6 in background
operation
Approx 30
for full disk
1 (read)
0.7 (write)
>1
2-3
15
Specification comparison
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Reconstruction matrix
512
512
512
0.1
0.1
0.1
30 (with IBO)
90
3
(up to 20 f/s)
11
90
3
(up to 20 f/s)
11
90
3
(up to 20 f/s)
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
16
Specification comparison
Table 17: 3D reconstruction display
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
MC-standard
WS-standard
(MIP & MinIP)
MC-standard
WS-standard
(Angio MIP)
MC-standard
WS-option
MC-option
WS-standard
(3D)
MC-standard
WS-standard
(3D SSD)
MC-standard
WS-option
MC-option
WS-standard
(Volume Rendering)
MC-Option
WS-standard
(Vol Rend 4D Angio)
MC-option
WS-option
MC-option
WS-standard
(Navigator)
Option
MC-option
WS-option
MC-standard
WS-standard
(MPR & MPVR)
MC-standard
WS-standard
(MPR)
MC-standard
WS-option
Axial, para-axial,
sagittal, coronal,
oblique, curvilinear
3D Virtual endoscopy
17
Specification comparison
Table 18: Optional facilities
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Option
Option
Option
Standard (SmartPrep)
Not available
Standard
(CAREBolus)
Option (SmartStep)
Not available
Option (CAREVision
with HandCARE)
Option
Option
Option
Option
(RT flat pad and Exact
couch top)
Standard
Option
Option
Option
Option
Option
(Exact couch)
Option
Option
MC-Not available
WS-option
(BMD)
WS-option
MC-option
WS-option
(Osteo CT)
MC-standard
WS-standard
AVA
(Vessel Assessment)
option on WS
WS option
MC-standard basic
package
WS-option
MC-option
WS-option
(Dentascan)
WS option
MC-option
WS-option
(Dental CT)
MC-Not available
WS-option
(CT sim)
MC-option
WS-option
Coherence Dosimetrist
(separate workstation)
MC-option
WS-option
(SmartScore)
Not available
Not available
MC-Not available
MC & WS-option
(Cardiac Imaging)
Not available
Not available
MC-option
WS-option
(CT Perfusion)
WS option
MC-option
WS-option
(Perfusion CT)
Contrast injector
CT Angiography
Dental
Radiotherapy CT simulation
software
CT Perfusion software
18
Specification comparison
Table 19: Installation requirements
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Environmental requirements
(max/min temperature, humidity) in
scanner room
15-26 C, 30-60%
relative humidity
20-24 C, 30-60%
relative humidity
15-28 C, 15-75%
relative humidity
Environmental requirements
(max/min temperature, humidity) in
scanner control room
15-26 C, 30-60%
relative humidity
20-24 C, 30-60%
relative humidity
15-28 C, 15-75%
relative humidity
15.3
21
Output to air
Water - air
Water - water
Recommended
To meet environmental
requirements
None
28
25
30
Gantry dimensions
(H x W x D (mm)) and weight (kg)
Couch dimensions
(H x W x L (mm)) and weight (kg)
Power Unit:
1067 x 711 x 559,
350kg
None
Power unit:
1815 x 905 x 800,
550kg
Cooling unit:
1815 x 905 x 860,
200kg
3 phase 380-480V,
150kVA
3 phase 380-480V,
75 kVA
3 phase 380-480V,
66-80kVA
19
Specification comparison
Table 20: Independent workstation
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
Is a workstation provided?
Yes
No, option
(LEONARDO)
HP XP8000
Dell Xeon
Windows XP
Windows XP
2 x 3.06
2 x 3.06
2 x Xeon 3.2
163
146
147
163
438
147
CD-R standard
MOD optional
CD-R standard
EOD option
CD-R standard
MOD option
4.6
9.1
MOD: 4.1
CD-R: 0.65
10-40 C,
20-80 % relative
humidity
0-40 C
10-35 C, 20-80%
relative humidity
Operating system
Type and speed (GHz) of CPU
Archive options
Capacity of a single archive disk
(Gbytes)
Environmental requirements
(max/min temperature, humidity) for
workstation
20
Specification comparison
Table 21: Image transfer and connectivity
GE LightSpeed RT
Philips AcQsim RT
Simulator CT
Siemens Sensation
Open
100
100 or 1000
1000
Option
Option (Easyweb)
Option
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU
SCU
SCU
Query / retrieve
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
Modality worklist
Option
Option
SCU
Option
Option
SCU
Not available
Option
SCU
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU
SCU
SCU
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
SCU, SCP
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Storage commitment
Not available
Not available
SCU
Storage commitment
DICOM services on Workstation
Storage
Print
Query / retrieve
21
ImPACT
ImPACT (Imaging Performance Assessment of Computed Tomography) is the
MHRA's CT evaluation facility. It is based at St George's Hospital, London, part of St
George's Healthcare NHS Trust.
ImPACT have developed test objects and measurement procedures suitable for
inter-comparing CT scanner performance. For each CT evaluation hundreds of
images are obtained from the system under test and subsequently analysed using
custom written software. Dose measurements are made using ion chambers, and xray film is used to obtain additional x-ray dose information.