GE Healthcare Optima CT520 16-Slice (2019)

Routine head computed tomography is supported by gantry tilt to 30 degrees, which remains standard practice for angled acquisition in many departments.

Spine imaging uses the same tilt capability alongside sub-millimetre slice thickness for reformatting along the curvature of the spine.

Chest imaging is served by the chest kernel, since a single reconstruction covers both lung and mediastinal review by adjusting window settings.

Abdominal and pelvic work runs across the 50 cm scan field of view with kV selectable to the patient.

Follow-up and surveillance imaging benefits from table positional repeatability within a quarter of a millimetre, so slices can be matched to an earlier study.

High-volume outpatient lists are supported by anode heat dissipation at 820 kHU per minute, which governs how many acquisitions run consecutively.

Emergency presentations are supported by an emergency patient mode for cases where scanning must begin before registration is complete.

Heat Shed at 820 kHU a Minute

Anode dissipation determines how many long acquisitions can follow one another, which is what governs the pace of a busy list.

Thermal Headroom From Lower Current

Where iterative reconstruction is licensed, acquisition at lower tube current puts less heat into the anode for the same study.

Six Rotation Speeds, Not One

Speeds from 0.8 to 4.0 seconds let a study run at the rate it needs, which bears on both dose and tube loading.

Sub-Millimetre Data Across the Field

A 20 mm detector at 0.625 mm slice thickness produces data suitable for reformatting across a 50 cm scan field.

Angled Acquisition Retained

Gantry tilt to 30 degrees either way supports the angled head and spine protocols many departments still work to.

Slices Matched to an Earlier Study

Table positional repeatability within ±0.25 mm supports follow-up imaging where geometry must match.

One Reconstruction for the Chest

The chest kernel serves both lung and mediastinal review from a single reconstruction by adjusting window width and level.

Technique Matched to the Patient

Voltage selectable at 80, 100, 120 and 140 kV allows technique to follow patient size and the clinical question.

Scanning Before Registration Completes

An emergency patient mode allows acquisition to begin where administrative registration cannot come first.

A Table Taking 205 kg

With vertical travel from 44.1 to 99.1 cm and horizontal range to 1,620 mm.

Tube and Generator Documented

Because published ratings vary by configuration, the tube type, condition and generator output are provided by the seller in writing.

16-Slice CT Scanner

A gantry, patient table and operator console for routine computed tomography.

Year of Manufacture: 2019

Bearing on software release, licensed applications, tube generation and support arrangements.

Anode Heat Storage: 3.5 MHU

The thermal capacity of the anode assembly.

Maximum Anode Heat Dissipation: 820 kHU per Minute

The rate at which stored heat is shed during and between acquisitions.

Rotation Speeds

360 degrees in 0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 seconds.

Detector and DAS: 20 mm z-Width

At 0.625 mm slice thickness across the detector.

Maximum Scan Field of View: 50 cm

The imaged field across the gantry aperture.

Gantry Aperture: 70 cm

The patient opening through the gantry.

Gantry Tilt: ±30 Degrees

At a tilt speed of one degree per second, with dual-side gantry controls.

kV Settings: 80, 100, 120 and 140

Selectable to patient size and clinical question.

mA Range and Step Size

Adjustable in defined increments, with the range on this unit confirmed at quotation.

Table Vertical Range: 44.1 to 99.1 cm

With a scannable vertical range across the upper part of that travel.

Table Horizontal Range: Up to 1,620 mm

Across the scan length.

Table Load Capacity: 205 kg

For patient positioning through the acquisition.

Positional Repeatability: ±0.25 mm

Supporting follow-up studies matched to earlier geometry.

Iterative Reconstruction

Available where licensed, supporting acquisition at lower tube current.

Dose Modulation and Image Quality Tools

Exposure modulation with image quality enhancement and processing applications according to the release installed.

Chest Kernel

A single reconstruction serving lung and mediastinal review through window adjustment.

Emergency Patient Mode

Acquisition begun where patient registration cannot be completed first.

Preset Protocol Sets

Stored protocol sets available at the console.

X-Ray Tube Type

More than one tube was supplied across this platform, with the type fitted confirmed at quotation.

Generator Output

Published ratings vary by configuration, with the output on this unit confirmed at quotation.

Tube Condition and Usage

Accumulated scan seconds and slice count provided by the seller at quotation.

DICOM Connectivity

Archive and networking, with the configuration confirmed at quotation.

CE Marking and Declaration of Conformity

Issued by the manufacturer and requested from the seller at quotation.

Decontamination Certificate and Warranty Terms

Provided by the seller at quotation, in line with normal practice for used imaging equipment.

Site Survey and Installation

Room dimensions and access, floor loading, power supply, cooling and radiation shielding assessed before installation, which Medigear.uk can arrange.

This GE Optima CT520 was built in 2019, and the case for it is about pace rather than peak performance. A CT list rarely stops because the images are inadequate; it stops because the anode has reached its limit and the next patient waits while it cools. This scanner stores 3.5 MHU and sheds up to 820 kHU per minute, which is the figure that decides how many long helical acquisitions can follow one another, and where iterative reconstruction is licensed a lower tube current puts less heat in for the same study. Six rotation speeds from 0.8 to 4.0 seconds let each study run at the rate it needs, so routine work leaves headroom for the studies that require speed. Around that sit a 20 mm detector at 0.625 mm slice thickness across a 50 cm field, kV selectable from 80 to 140, gantry tilt to 30 degrees for angled head and spine protocols, table repeatability within a quarter of a millimetre and a chest kernel serving lung and mediastinum from one reconstruction. Diagnostic interpretation remains with the reporting radiologist. The tube type and condition, generator output, software release and licensed applications are provided by the seller at quotation. Medigear.uk lists the scanner for UK business buyers and can arrange a site survey, delivery, installation, staff familiarisation, service cover and the supply of spares and consumables. Enquire for a written quotation.