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NUH becomes first in UK to adopt a laser-guided photon-counting system
Nottingham University Hospital’s NHS Trust (NUH) has become the first site in the UK to install a fully integrated imaging platform, combining a photon-counting CT system (producing 3D x-rays) with laser guided intervention software – two advanced technologies featuring a new type of high-resolution imaging as well as rapid acquisition times.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Capital Investment Funding Award and supplied by Siemens Healthineers, the technology is being primarily used to support research and also complex diagnostic and interventional imaging.
The new NAEOTOM Alpha photon-counting CT scanner utilises a new type of detector material (cadmium telluride crystals), which directly converts X-ray photons into electric signals. This preserves more information from each scan, resulting in sharper images, improved contrast and a significantly lower radiation dose – up to 45 per cent less. It represents a major leap forward from conventional CT systems currently in use in the NHS.
These improvements will be particularly valuable in supporting complex imaging needs as well as improving safety for our patients who require repeated or belong to dose-sensitive groups, such as paediatric patients. The advanced technology will also reduce the need for sedation for those who are anxious or experience breathlessness, making procedures more accessible and less distressing for vulnerable groups.
As the only centre in the UK with this technology, NUH’s ability to deliver complex research activities has increased immensely and offers real opportunity for its patients to take part in cutting edge research.
The scanner will be initially used for complex interventional applications such as liver and lung biopsies, where both access and image clarity are critical. The integration of the myNeedle Companion laser guidance software, permits radiologists to reach challenging lesions more precisely, reducing the need for more invasive surgical procedures.
The installation forms part of NUH’s broader research strategy. Work is already underway to establish collaborations with other NHS and academic centres, with a focus on evaluating photon-counting CT across diagnostic and interventional workflows.
Dr Chris Clarke, a consultant gastrointestinal (GI) & Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary ( HPB) radiologist at NUH, said: “This technology represents a generational leap in image quality, setting a new benchmark in procedural accuracy and diagnostic confidence.
“It supports our clinical priorities and research ambitions – and signals a shift in how advanced imaging will be delivered across the NHS. I expect systems like this will define a new standard of care in the coming years and improve patient outcomes on a national scale.”