Addenbrooke's installs 'world's fastest' CT scanner

New machine can examine heart in quarter of a second

As of today, Addenbrooke's is the only hospital outside of London to have installed The Definition Flash, the "world's fastest" computed topography (CT) scanner.

The Siemens machine joins the hospital's three other CT machines, but is much faster, with the capability to examine a whole human heart in "less than half a heartbeat", or a quarter of a second.

The machine emits low radiation, and eliminates the need for chest patients to hold their breath for prolonged periods. It can examine a patient's chest in 0.6 seconds.

It can also perform full-body scans and neurology examinations.

Adrian Dixon, Emeritus Professor and Consultant Radiologist, said, "For patients, the examinations will be even more accurate, even quicker and with a lower radiation dose."

Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust's Chief Executive Keith Day added, "We are most grateful for the very generous gift left in a will to Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust for the benefit of cancer screening at Addenbrooke’s, which has made this installation possible."

Last updated: Tuesday 17th November 2009, 16:12 GMT