University Hospitals Becomes First in U.S. to Install Siemens Naeotom Alpha.Pro Photon-Counting CT
University Hospitals in Cleveland has become the first health system in the United States to install the Naeotom Alpha.Pro, Siemens Healthineers’ latest dual-source photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) scanner. The installation marks a significant milestone in expanding access to one of the most advanced imaging technologies currently available.
Photon-counting CT represents a major evolution in medical imaging. Unlike conventional CT, which converts X-ray photons into visible light before producing images, PCCT registers each photon directly, enabling highly detailed anatomical visualization with less noise and fewer artifacts. This approach not only improves image clarity but also reduces radiation exposure, supporting safer and more effective diagnostic evaluations.
Since Siemens introduced the world’s first clinically available PCCT system—the Naeotom Alpha, now renamed the Naeotom Alpha.Peak—in 2021, more than 2 million patients worldwide have been scanned using PCCT. The new Alpha.Pro builds on this foundation by combining photon-counting precision with the speed of dual-source technology and AI-driven workflow enhancements.
“We are excited to be the first healthcare system in the U.S. to install this impressive new technology to further enhance care for our patients,” said Donna Plecha, MD, chair of the department of radiology and radiologist-in-chief at University Hospitals. She highlighted its value for pediatric care at UH Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, noting that fast scans could reduce or even eliminate the need for sedation in children. She added that the system will also serve UH Cleveland Medical Center’s emergency department, which supports a Level I Trauma Center.
From Siemens’ perspective, the installation reflects a broader strategy to make PCCT more widely available. “Siemens Healthineers introduced the Naeotom Alpha.Pro as part of our new class of photon-counting CT scanners to address what we see as our responsibility: to broaden the availability of this groundbreaking technology,” said Matthew Dedman, Head of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthineers North America. “With University Hospitals becoming the first U.S. health system to install this dual-source PCCT system, we take a major step toward realizing our goal of expanding patient access to the many diagnostic benefits of PCCT.”
The Alpha.Pro is designed as a lower-cost entry point into dual-source PCCT, making it more accessible for institutions looking to adopt the technology. It can achieve scan speeds of 491 mm/second with the same 66 ms temporal resolutionas the flagship Naeotom Alpha.Peak. This speed benefits patients across multiple specialties: pulmonology patients may avoid breath-holding, children may avoid sedation, and cardiology patients may avoid medications such as beta-blockers used to slow heart rates during imaging.
In addition, the scanner’s dual-source PCCT capabilities support demanding clinical scenarios, including automated analysis of heavily calcified coronary arteries, as well as time-critical stroke and trauma cases. With AI-powered productivity tools integrated into the platform, Alpha.Pro is designed to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency while maintaining the diagnostic power of photon-counting technology.
For University Hospitals, the installation positions the health system at the forefront of next-generation imaging, while Siemens Healthineers continues to expand access to PCCT in the U.S. market.