The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has cleared Siemens Healthcare's SOMATOM computed tomography (CT) systems for low-dose lung cancer screening.

From the SOMATOM Scope 16-slice CT system to the ultra-premium SOMATOM Force, Siemens now makes low-dose lung cancer screening broadly available to its customers.

"Lung cancer screening represents one of the most significant opportunities to improve population health through earlier detection and improved follow-up opportunities for high-risk patients," said Mr David Pacitti, president of Siemens Healthcare North America. "That's why Siemens pursued the most expansive indication for lung cancer screening, bringing this valuable tool to all varieties of our current SOMATOM CT scanners."

The indication for low-dose lung cancer screening is available for the following CT systems: SOMATOM Force, SOMATOM Definition Flash, SOMATOM Definition Edge, SOMATOM Definition AS/AS+, SOMATOM Perspective, SOMATOM Scope, and the SOMATOM Emotion.

Siemens' portfolio of CT systems offers solutions for low-dose lung imaging from screening to detection to diagnosis. With its FAST (Fully Assisting Scanner Technologies) features, Siemens optimizes CT acquisition by reducing user variability. With FAST Planning, technologists can set an optimum range for scan settings that avoids cut-offs or excessive radiation.

Its CARE (Combined Applications to Reduce Exposure) feature delivers a consistent, reproducible approach to optimizing radiation dose in scan parameters that supports efficient clinical workflow. Features in the SOMATOM portfolio also aid the radiologist in reporting dose and sharing findings within the interdisciplinary lung cancer team.

Siemens has also launched a unique mobile imaging solution for lung cancer screening - especially for people living in rural areas. The Mobile SOMATOM Scope CT is a self-powered mobile CT with on-board diesel generator that is ready to scan within minutes of parking. No Commercial Driver's License is required to drive the vehicle, reducing complexity in logistics. Equipped with a high-speed wireless connection, the Mobile SOMATOM Scope CT is ready for fast and easy image transfer.