Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 CT

Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 CT Highlights & Benefits

The Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 combines 128-slice CT acquisition with FAST CARE workflow tools, patient-specific dose management, cardiac imaging capabilities, and configurable advanced applications. Its 38.4 mm detector coverage captures more anatomy per rotation than the Definition AS 64 configuration.

Key Benefits

• • 128-slice CT acquisition
  • 38.4 mm of anatomical coverage per rotation
  • Cardiac temporal resolution down to 150 ms for reducing heart-motion blur
  • FAST CARE automated exam planning and workflow tools
  • CARE Dose4D and CARE kV dose-management technologies
  • Gantry opening up to 80 cm (31.5 in), depending on configuration
  • Patient table capacity up to 676 lb (307 kg) with applicable table configuration
  • Optional SAFIRE, Stellar detector, Dual Energy, perfusion, and CT-guidance capabilities

Software, detector, tube, table, workstation, and advanced imaging capabilities vary by individual system.

SOMATOM Definition AS 128-Slice CT Performance

64 × 0.6 mm Collimation & 38.4 mm Coverage

The Definition AS 128 uses up to 64 detector channels measuring 0.6 mm each, providing 38.4 mm of anatomical coverage during each gantry rotation. In CT, this detector width is commonly described as collimation.

Siemens z-Sharp acquisition technology uses overlapping measurements to reconstruct the data as a 128-slice dataset. This provides more coverage per rotation than the Definition AS 64 while maintaining thin-section imaging for body, cardiac, vascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal, and other CT examinations.

0.30-Second Rotation for Fast Body CT

FAST CARE configurations can complete a gantry rotation in approximately 0.30 seconds. Faster rotation helps shorten acquisition during chest, abdomen, pelvis, vascular, trauma, and other examinations where patient motion can reduce image clarity.

Applicable Stellar-ready configurations can reduce rotation time to approximately 0.28 seconds and provide scan coverage up to 23 cm per second.

150 ms Cardiac Temporal Resolution

Cardiac temporal resolution describes how effectively a CT scanner can capture anatomy that is moving rapidly, such as the beating heart.

FAST CARE 128-slice configurations can achieve temporal resolution down to approximately 150 milliseconds. Shorter temporal resolution helps reduce heart-motion blur during appropriately configured cardiac and cardiovascular examinations.

CARE Dose Management & Definition AS Image Quality

CARE Dose4D & CARE kV

CARE Dose4D automatically adjusts X-ray output as the scanner moves through different parts of the patient’s body, helping match radiation output to patient anatomy.

CARE kV helps select an appropriate tube voltage, measured in kilovolts or kV, based on the patient and type of exam.

Together, these technologies help technologists tailor exposure settings to the individual patient rather than using the same parameters for every examination.

Additional dose-management capabilities can include Adaptive Dose Shield, X-CARE, Adaptive ECG Pulsing, and Adaptive Cardio Sequence depending on system configuration.

SAFIRE Noise Reduction

SAFIRE is Siemens’ iterative image-reconstruction technology. It processes CT data to reduce image noise, which is the grainy appearance that can make fine anatomy harder to see.

This can help maintain useful image detail when lower-dose imaging protocols are used. SAFIRE availability depends on the software generation and licenses installed on the individual Definition AS 128.

Stellar Detector Options

Compatible Definition AS 128 systems can be equipped with Siemens Stellar detector technology.

Stellar is designed to reduce electronic detector noise and preserve more of the weak signals used to create a CT image. This can improve fine-detail visibility, particularly in exams where signal levels are lower.

Applicable Stellar configurations can also support true 0.5 mm slice reconstruction for detailed imaging.

Stellar is configuration-dependent. MXR can confirm whether an available Definition AS 128 includes the Stellar detector.

Definition AS 128 Patient Access & FAST CARE Workflow

Up to 80 cm Gantry Opening

The CT gantry is the circular opening that surrounds the patient during scanning. Applicable Definition AS configurations provide an opening up to 80 cm (31.5 in).

The larger opening provides additional positioning space for larger patients and examinations that require more room around the patient.

Up to 676 lb Patient Table Capacity

High-capacity table configurations support patients up to 676 lb (307 kg), while standard table configurations support up to 500 lb (227 kg).

Table configuration should be verified when bariatric imaging, trauma workflows, or higher patient capacity is an important buying requirement.

FAST Planning & Exam Automation

FAST CARE is Siemens’ collection of automated exam-planning and dose-management tools.

FAST Planning can automatically identify the anatomy being scanned and determine appropriate scan and image-reconstruction ranges. Depending on installed software, additional tools can include FAST Spine for spine reconstruction planning, FAST Adjust for scan-parameter adjustment, and FAST Cardio Wizard for cardiac exam setup.

These tools reduce repetitive manual setup while helping technologists perform common exams more consistently.

syngo Connectivity & Post-Processing

The Definition AS uses Siemens syngo software for CT acquisition, image review, and post-processing.

Depending on configuration, the scanner can integrate with an organization’s existing imaging systems, including PACS for image storage, RIS for radiology workflow management, and DICOM worklists for exchanging patient and exam information.

Available post-processing can include:

• • Multiplanar reconstruction for viewing anatomy from different angles
  • Maximum-intensity projection for highlighting high-density structures such as contrast-enhanced blood vessels
  • 3D volume rendering
  • Cardiac and vascular analysis
  • Perfusion analysis
  • Dual Energy processing

Applicable configurations can also coordinate CT acquisition with compatible contrast-injection workflows.

Workstation hardware, software version, connectivity, and post-processing packages vary by system.

Definition AS 128 Clinical Environments & Applications

The SOMATOM Definition AS 128 supports routine and advanced CT across practices and organizations of different sizes. Its 128-slice acquisition and advanced imaging options are especially well aligned with sites performing cardiac, vascular, emergency, trauma, or other advanced CT. Available applications depend on the installed hardware, software, and clinical packages.

Clinical Environments

• • Independent practices with CT capabilities
  • Physician-owned imaging facilities
  • Diagnostic imaging centers
  • Outpatient imaging facilities
  • Hospitals and health systems
  • Emergency and trauma imaging departments
  • Practices and organizations performing cardiac and advanced CT

Supported CT Applications

• • Head, chest, abdomen, and pelvis CT
  • Emergency and trauma CT
  • Cardiac CT and coronary CT angiography
  • Vascular CT angiography
  • Neurologic and neurovascular CT
  • Oncology and body imaging
  • Pediatric CT
  • Bariatric CT
  • Perfusion and dynamic imaging on appropriately configured systems
  • CT-guided procedures on appropriately configured systems

Cardiac, Dual Energy, perfusion, and interventional applications depend on the software and hardware installed on the specific Definition AS 128.

Advanced Imaging Options for the Definition AS 128

Advanced imaging capabilities vary by installed hardware, software generation, and licensed clinical packages.

Dual Energy Imaging Applications

Dual Energy CT acquires information at two different X-ray energy levels. Comparing those datasets can help distinguish materials that may look similar on a conventional CT image.

Available applications can support material differentiation, reduction of metal-related image artifacts, gout assessment, and analysis of contrast-enhanced studies.

Long-Range Dynamic & Perfusion Imaging

Dynamic CT repeatedly images an area over time rather than capturing only one anatomical snapshot. Perfusion imaging uses this type of data to evaluate how blood moves through tissue.

Applicable FAST CARE 128-slice configurations can support long-range dynamic imaging up to approximately 26 cm (10.2 in), allowing coverage of larger anatomical areas.

Specific software packages can support neurologic, body, and other perfusion examinations where functional information is needed in addition to standard anatomical imaging.

CT-Guided Procedures

CT-guided procedures use repeated CT images to help physicians locate anatomy and guide instruments during minimally invasive procedures.

Definition AS configurations with interventional software can provide 3D image guidance for these workflows.

Sliding Gantry configurations move the CT gantry on rails around the patient, supporting trauma, surgical, angiographic, and interventional workflows where reducing patient transfers can be beneficial.

These advanced capabilities should be confirmed on the individual system.

Available Definition AS 128 Configurations & Installed Options

Not every Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 has the same detector, tube, software licenses, workstation, patient table, or advanced imaging packages.

When evaluating an available system, important configuration details include:

• Year of manufacture
• Tube model and tube usage
• Detector configuration
• Software version
• FAST CARE configuration
• SAFIRE availability
• Cardiac applications
• Dual Energy software
• Perfusion and interventional applications
• Workstation and post-processing packages
• Patient table configuration
• Cooling configuration
• Included accessories

MXR can confirm the installed configuration of an available Definition AS 128 so buyers can compare actual clinical capabilities rather than relying on the model name alone.

Definition AS 128 vs. Definition AS 64

The Definition AS 128 provides up to 64 × 0.6 mm detector collimation and 38.4 mm of anatomical coverage per rotation. The Definition AS 64 uses 32 × 0.6 mm collimation for 19.2 mm of coverage.

The additional coverage allows the 128-slice configuration to capture more anatomy during each rotation.

Organizations comparing the two configurations can also review the Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 64.

The appropriate configuration depends on exam mix, installed clinical applications, workflow requirements, and the specific system available.

Definition AS 128 Installation & Site Planning

Applicable Definition AS 128 configurations are designed for an installation footprint of approximately 193.7 sq ft (18 m²).

Final room requirements depend on the patient table, electrical service, cooling method, radiation shielding, control-room layout, accessories, and local requirements.

Depending on configuration, Definition AS systems use air or water cooling. Site planning should be based on the exact system being installed.

Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 Specifications

Key Siemens SOMATOM Definition AS 128 technical specifications include 64 × 0.6 mm detector collimation, 38.4 mm of coverage per rotation, rotation times down to approximately 0.30 seconds, and cardiac temporal resolution down to 150 ms. Exact specifications vary by system configuration.

CT Acquisition & Detector

• • Slice configuration: 128 slices
  • Maximum detector collimation: 64 × 0.6 mm
  • Anatomical coverage per rotation: Up to 38.4 mm
  • Acquisition technology: Siemens z-Sharp technology for reconstructing a 128-slice dataset
  • Detector: Siemens UFC detector on applicable standard configurations
  • Stellar detector: Optional on compatible Definition AS 128 configurations
  • Rotation time: Down to approximately 0.30 seconds on FAST CARE configurations
  • Stellar-ready rotation time: Down to approximately 0.28 seconds on applicable configurations
  • Cardiac temporal resolution: Down to approximately 150 ms
  • True 0.5 mm slice reconstruction: Available on applicable Stellar configurations
  • Scan coverage: Up to 23 cm/s on applicable Stellar-ready configurations

Gantry & Patient Table

• • Gantry opening: Up to 80 cm (31.5 in), depending on configuration
  • Standard patient table capacity: Up to 500 lb (227 kg)
  • High-capacity patient table: Up to 676 lb (307 kg)
  • Table configuration: Varies by system and intended clinical use

X-Ray Generator & Tube

• • X-ray tube: Model varies by system generation and installed configuration
  • Generator power: Up to 100 kW on applicable configurations
  • Tube voltage: Includes 70 kV capability on applicable configurations
  • Maximum tube voltage: Up to 140 kV
  • Tube current: Configuration-dependent
  • Tube history: Model, installation date, tube usage, and condition should be confirmed for the individual scanner

Image Reconstruction & Performance

• • Submillimeter reconstruction: Supported
  • SAFIRE: Optional iterative image reconstruction for reducing image noise
  • FAST Planning: Automated scan and reconstruction-range planning on applicable configurations
  • FAST Spine: Automated spine reconstruction assistance, configuration-dependent
  • FAST Adjust: Automated scan-parameter adjustment, configuration-dependent
  • FAST Cardio Wizard: Cardiac exam-planning assistance, configuration-dependent
  • CARE Dose4D: Automatic tube-current adjustment based on patient anatomy
  • CARE kV: Automated tube-voltage selection assistance
  • Dual Energy: Optional imaging at two X-ray energy levels
  • Long-range dynamic imaging: Up to approximately 26 cm (10.2 in) on applicable configurations
  • Perfusion imaging: Optional, configuration-dependent
  • 3D-guided intervention: Optional, configuration-dependent

Workflow & Connectivity

• • Acquisition and processing environment: Siemens syngo software
  • DICOM connectivity: Supports standardized exchange of medical images and exam information
  • PACS integration: Supports connection with compatible image-storage systems
  • RIS and worklist integration: Available depending on configuration
  • Contrast-injector coordination: Available on applicable configurations
  • Advanced post-processing: Depends on workstation and licensed software

System & Site Requirements

• • Approximate installation footprint: 193.7 sq ft (18 m²)
  • Cooling: Air or water, depending on system configuration
  • Electrical requirements: Verify for the individual system
  • Room shielding: Determined by scanner configuration, room design, expected workload, and applicable requirements
  • Installation requirements: Confirm against the exact Definition AS 128 configuration being installed