SIEMENS Somatom Definition DS 128 (2008)

Cardiac imaging is what dual source geometry exists for. Two chains at right angles acquire in 90 degrees of rotation what a single chain needs 180 degrees to gather, giving 83 ms temporal resolution and roughly 42 ms with multisector reconstruction. The practical consequence is coronary imaging that holds up independently of heart rate, without pharmacological rate control, in a five to six second breath-hold. All clinical judgement, including whether an examination is justified, remains with the referring and reporting clinicians, and Medigear.uk supplies configuration and condition detail rather than clinical guidance.

Emergency and acute care work benefits from the same acquisition speed, since a shorter scan on an unstable or uncooperative patient is a clinical advantage in itself. Paediatric services gain similarly, where faster acquisition reduces the need for sedation and the cost and risk that attach to it.

Dual energy imaging is enabled by running the two chains at different tube voltages simultaneously, with improved spectral separation through filtration of the high kV beam. Which dual energy applications are licensed is confirmed with the full list, since these are among the options that vary most between otherwise identical scanners, and a scanner physically capable of an acquisition cannot perform it unlicensed.

Any buyer should assess the two tubes separately. Tube A at 547,000 scan seconds and tube B at 264,000 sit at opposite ends of the Straton band, so the purchase carries one near-term replacement and one deferred, and the price should reflect exactly that rather than an average of the two.

Each Tube Assessed on Its Own

Tube A at 547,000 scan seconds and tube B at 264,000 are separate components with separate remaining lives and separate replacement costs. Averaging them would misrepresent both positions. Medigear.uk states each figure and what it means, so a buyer prices one imminent retube and one deferred.

The Difference Tells You How It Was Used

Single source protocols use one chain while cardiac and dual energy work uses both, so a heavy imbalance indicates a service that ran mostly routine work rather than cardiac lists. That is useful intelligence about the machine's history that a single averaged number would hide entirely.

Temporal Resolution Rather Than Slice Count

Two chains at 90 degrees acquire in 90 degrees of rotation what one chain needs 180 for, giving 83 ms and roughly 42 ms with multisector reconstruction. That is what allows cardiac imaging independent of heart rate, and it is a different kind of capability from adding slices.

No Beta Blockade to Achieve a Scan

Because temporal resolution holds regardless of heart rate, cardiac acquisition does not depend on pharmacological rate control. That removes a preparation step, a contraindication set and a source of delay from the cardiac pathway.

Two Tubes Without Double the Dose

Siemens states cardiac dose falls rather than rises, because higher temporal resolution shortens the window in which full power is applied. Dose in practice still depends on protocol, patient size and fitted dose options, which Medigear.uk confirms with the licence list.

Dual Energy From Two Voltages at Once

Running the two chains at different tube voltages simultaneously enables dual energy acquisition with spectral separation improved by filtering the high kV beam. It is a capability inherent to the geometry rather than an add-on.

Proprietary Sourcing on Both Tubes

Straton tubes have no third-party alternatives and each carries an identification chip tying it to the first system it is installed on. With two tubes to eventually replace, that constraint applies twice, and Medigear.uk raises it during planning rather than at installation.

Figures Beyond the Headline Counts

Fitting dates, Straton variants, accumulated mAs and exposure counts are obtained for each tube individually. Accumulated mAs captures power as well as duration and predicts remaining life better than scan seconds, which matters twice over on a dual source system.

Dual Source Geometry

Two X-ray tubes and two detectors are mounted on the gantry at approximately 90 degrees, both acquiring at the same anatomical level simultaneously.

Tube A: 547,000 Scan Seconds

Tube A sits beyond the roughly 350,000 to 500,000 band independent specialists give for typical Straton life. Replacement is a near-term consideration.

Tube B: 264,000 Scan Seconds

Tube B sits comfortably within the same band with working life remaining, so its replacement is a deferred rather than imminent cost.

Temporal Resolution: 83 ms

A 0.33 second rotation across two chains at right angles yields 83 ms temporal resolution, halving to roughly 42 ms with multisector reconstruction.

z-Sharp Flying Focal Spot

The focal spot alternates rapidly to create two beams striking a 32-row detector, effectively producing 64-slice acquisition per chain.

Combined Power: Up to 160 kW

The platform runs up to 160 kW across both chains, supporting the output that simultaneous dual acquisition requires.

Gantry Bore: 78 cm

A wider bore than the 70 cm typical of many platforms, assisting with larger patients and awkward positioning.

Scan Range: Up to 200 cm

Extended scan range supports whole-body acquisition without repositioning, subject to the table fitted.

Dual Energy Capability

The two chains can run at different tube voltages simultaneously, with spectral separation improved through filtration of the high kV beam.

High Pitch Scanning

Dual source geometry enables helical pitch values a single chain cannot achieve, supporting very rapid acquisition where licensed.

Tube Fitting Dates and Variants

Fitting dates and specific Straton variants are obtained for each tube individually, since published life figures derive largely from one version.

Accumulated mAs per Tube

Obtained separately for each tube, since it captures power as well as duration and predicts remaining life more accurately than scan seconds.

Proprietary Tube Supply

Straton tubes have no third-party alternatives. Current availability and pricing are established for both replacements before purchase.

Tube Identification Chips

Each Straton is tied to the first system it is installed on, requiring engineer preparation for a replacement. This applies to both tubes.

Software Licence List

Cardiac and dual energy applications are separately licensed. The full verified list is supplied before any offer is made.

Console, Workstation and Software Version

Console generation, workstation specification and software version affect workflow, capability and support position. All are confirmed against the unit.

Installation and Compliance

Medigear.uk assesses floor loading, three-phase power, cooling for two tubes, shielding and access, alongside notification, radiation protection adviser and critical examination requirements.

This Siemens SOMATOM Definition DS 128 is a dual source scanner, carrying two X-ray tubes and two detectors at 90 degrees that acquire simultaneously and deliver 83 ms temporal resolution at a 0.33 second rotation, or roughly 42 ms with multisector reconstruction. That geometry is what allows cardiac imaging independent of heart rate without pharmacological rate control, alongside dual energy acquisition and high pitch scanning a single chain cannot achieve. It also means two consumables rather than one, and on this unit they are far apart: tube A at 547,000 scan seconds sits beyond typical Straton expectancy while tube B at 264,000 sits comfortably within it. Averaging those figures would misrepresent both, so Medigear.uk states each position separately and obtains fitting dates, variants and accumulated mAs per tube, allowing the purchase to be priced as one near-term replacement and one deferred. Contact Medigear.uk for specifications, procurement assistance, or expert consultation.