Imagine a computed tomography (CT) scanner that can be installed in a room as small as six by nine feet, weighs 450 pounds, and plugs into a standard electrical outlet. Well, for eye, ear, nose, and throat physicians it is possible to provide point-of-care CT imaging in a clinic or an operating room. The Xoran Technology’s MiniCAT™ is specially designed for head and neck imaging allowing physicians to diagnose and treat their patients faster and more conveniently. It creates high-resolution, ultra-thin CT slices (0.3 mm for temporal bones), making it ideal for scanning the sinuses, skull base, and temporal bones. The availability of a limited footprint, in-office, upright CT scanner enables point-of-care imaging without the problems associated with scheduling CT scans at the hospital’s central imaging department. A scan takes only 40 seconds to get an immediate, digitally versatile CT image on a Windows PC monitor.
The actual dimensions of the unit are 46” x 49” x 72” tall. Although it can be installed in a room as small as 6’ x 9’, a room that is 80 to 100 net square feet is recommended, or the equivalent of the size of a standard exam room. The MiniCAT scanner emits very low radiation so that it requires little or no shielding to comply with State regulations. The manufacturer can install it in a single day since its small footprint fits through a standard door frame and it weighs only 450 pounds. The MiniCAT is compatible with most image-guided surgery systems and can also be used for surgical planning and post-operative evaluations and care.