Vital Materials Unveils VITA Genesis, China’s First Fully Proprietary Photon Counting CT Scanner

At the 31st China International Medical Equipment Exhibition and Scientific Conference (China-Hospeq 2025), held in Beijing from August 15–17, Vital Materials officially launched the VITA Genesis, China’s first fully proprietary Photon Counting CT (PCCT) scanner. The debut marks a pivotal step in precision diagnostics and introduces what the company calls the beginning of the “Quantum Flux” sensing era in global medical imaging.

Photon Counting CT represents a fundamental shift in imaging technology, powered by Photon Counting Detectors (PCDs) that operate differently from conventional Energy Integrating Detectors (EIDs). Traditional CT scanners rely on a two-step process: X-ray photons are first converted into visible light, which is then transformed into electrical signals. By contrast, PCCT detectors use semiconductor materials where X-ray photons directly excite electrons, forming electron-hole pairs proportional to the photon’s energy. These charge carriers are separated by an electric field to generate electrical pulses, which are then categorized into distinct energy bins by Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs).

This direct photon-counting approach provides precise energy resolution and supports multi-energy spectral imaging, a capability that can significantly improve diagnostic value. Clinicians gain richer, more detailed information about tissue composition and pathology compared to conventional CT scans, enabling more accurate detection, characterization, and monitoring of disease.

Currently, PCCT detectors are manufactured from three key materials: Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CdZnTe or CZT), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), and Deep Silicon. Among these, CZT has emerged as the material of choice for next-generation imaging, due to its superior detection efficiency and energy discrimination.

The innovation behind VITA Genesis goes beyond simply incorporating CZT detectors. Its true breakthrough lies in Vital Materials’ ability to deliver full vertical integration of PCCT technology. This encompasses the entire production chain, from ultra-high purity metals purification and compounding to single-crystal growth, component design, CT system integration, and advanced imaging algorithm development. By mastering each stage, the company is setting what it describes as a new global benchmark in photon counting CT development.

Vital Materials emphasized that the launch of VITA Genesis not only demonstrates China’s capacity for high-end medical imaging innovation but also positions the country as a leader in precision diagnostics technology. By building this platform domestically, the company is expanding access to advanced imaging tools and reducing reliance on imported CT technologies.

With photon counting expected to become the future of CT imaging worldwide, the introduction of VITA Genesis marks a major milestone for both China and the broader imaging community. By combining cutting-edge detector physics with complete vertical integration, the system represents a leap toward more accurate, efficient, and personalized medical imaging.