The Siemens Definition DS 128 offers more definition of detail, resolution, and clinical information. Siemens z-Sharp tube technology uses a flying focal spot to create two x-ray beams simultaneously hitting a 32-row detector, effectively producing 64-slice scans. The Definition DS is one of the quickest 64-slice systems available along with temporal resolution of 83 msec per slice -- and the use of multisector reconstruction algorithms can reduce that to 42 msec per slice. The scanner can conduct a cardiac acquisition in a breath-hold of five to six seconds, versus 10 seconds for a 64-slice system.

Somatom Definition isn't limited to cardiac scanning, of course. The technology behind the DS 128 offers added speed benefitting ER and acute care applications. The system can run at 160 kW with a 78-cm gantry diameter, and has a 200-cm scan range.