First Global Commercial Hybrid SPECT/CT System Installed at US Hospital

A hybrid single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) system enables clinicians to fulfill the basic needs in diagnostic imaging, including high-quality images, low radiation dose, and short exam times for patients. The technology allows for hybrid imaging instead of stand-alone CT use, and incorporates the latest generation general-purpose camera with a newly developed four-slice CT.

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth (Fort Worth, TX, USA) is the first globally to strengthen its imaging capabilities with the high-precision, low radiation dose SPECT/CT technology. GE Healthcare (Chalfont St. Giles, UK) reported the first global commercial installation of its Optima NM/CT 640 technology, a new performance SPECT/CT system that helps physicians offer high image quality with low patient radiation dose and efficiency, at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth.


The CT technology, able in 2.5-mm- and 5-mm-slice thicknesses, is designed to optimize dose and resolution required for specific procedures, offering clinicians high-quality images with typically low CT dose at 1-2 mSv for a 40-cm abdomen CT scan. The Optima NM/CT 640 requires little revamping and installation costs and can be fully upgraded for future use, expanding its clinical capabilities as well as offering the possibility for research use. When used with GE Healthcare’s Xeleris workstation, Optima NM/CT allows clinicians to feel confident in their diagnosis and potentially decrease time or injected patient dose by up to 50% in most scanning procedures while maintaining excellent image quality. (Shorter acquisition times and dose reduction capabilities are possible with Optima NM/CT 640 system only when used in combination with the pertinent features offered on the Xeleris 3 processing and review workstation.)

“We are dedicated to pushing nuclear medicine to its full potential and developing equipment that helps customers address the challenges they are confronted with every day--high image quality, low dose and short exam times,” said Nathan Hermony, general manager, nuclear medicine, GE Healthcare. “We are pleased to collaborate with clinical leaders at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth on the first global installation of Optima NM/CT 640 technology as they continue to deliver diagnostic excellence and quality patient care.”

Texas Health Fort Worth hospital’s services include cardiovascular services, high-risk and routine obstetrics and gynecology, orthopedics and sports medicine, neonatal intensive care, and trauma/emergency medicine.

Related Links:
Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth
GE Healthcare