Company unveils new CT scanner

GE Healthcare’s Steve Gray introduces the Revolution CT. Provided by the company

GE Healthcare Korea yesterday unveiled a new computed tomography (CT) machine that uses lower radiation doses to produce clearer images.

The launch of the Revolution CT device in Korea comes at a time when demand for quality medical service has been on the rise because of the country’s rapidly aging society.

“GE Healthcare’s Revolution CT is a device that enables accurate diagnosis for cardiovascular patients, stroke patients and patients with liver disease who previously faced difficulties with older CT technologies,” said Steve Gray, president and chief executive of molecular imaging and CT at GE Healthcare, yesterday at a press conference at the company’s office building in Gangnam District, southern Seoul. “It enhances clinical confidence, convenience and patient safety.”

According to GE Healthcare Korea, Revolution CT offers medical technology that embraces all existing technologies offered by other global health care companies.

For example, until now, GE scanners offered the best image at the lowest dose, while Siemens offered the best high-speed heart imaging. Toshiba, on the other hand, offered a system with full organ coverage.

“All three are in one product: the Revolution CT,” Gray said. “With that, we have a great expectation in the market in Korea.”

According to the United States-based company, the Revolution CT delivers a rotation speed of 0.28 seconds, which allows images to be scanned more accurately, even fast-moving organs like the heart. It also features low-dose technologies and covers an area that is four times wider than previous CTs.

“It’s the largest single investment we’ve made in a single CT product,” Gray said.

He did not disclose the price of the new device, which varies depending on warranty options and configurations, although he did note that it’s “significantly above any of our previous models.”

Sia Moussavi, president and chief executive of GE Healthcare Korea, who was also present at the conference, said, “Korea is facing an aging population, increased Westernized eating habits and a lack of exercise due to modern amenities.

“Through the introduction of Revolution CT, which integrates all existing innovative technologies, we expect to contribute to the national health by helping Korean medical professionals provide accurate and safe diagnoses, early detection and proper treatment of chronic diseases, including acute cardiovascular diseases and cerebropathy.”

BY lee eun-joo [angie@joongang.co.kr]