The Siemens Somatom Sensation 64-slice CT Scanner (pictured below) is the first of its kind on the Island and is likely to be beneficial to patients, doctors and insurance companies.

The machine is the world's first CT scanner able to take 192 pictures of the heart per second. It combines the highest speed, resolution and coverage with the lowest patient exposure possible allowing previously unknown sharpness, diagnostic detail and clarity.

The number 64 refers to its speed, similar to the shutter speed of a camera. It takes 64 images of the part of the body the patient and doctor wishes to evaluate. The images can be seen in 3-D, black and white or colour.

A complete scan takes a couple of minutes, meaning less discomfort for patients and faster results for doctors. The scanner can also possibly replace the need for an angiogram or cardiac catherisation in some patients.

During his presentation at the Tucker's Point Club, Dr. Christoph Wald, Director of Cardiac CT in the Department of Radiology at the Lahey Clinic, compared the slices are like a loaf of bread. If one were to slice a loaf of bread into 64 slices, every piece of the bread would be visible, just like images of whichever body part taken from the scanner.

The way the scanner works is a patient lays on the table while the circular scanner spins around the part of the body being scanned taking pictures. Each scan takes seconds while a coronary scan for example takes about two and a half minutes to complete.

Once the body part is scanned, the images are shown on a computer screen. The technician can rotate them, manipulate individual portions, and chose how he or she wants them displayed.

The technician can also peel back the layers, starting with the patients clothing all the way to his or her bones. The images can also be enlarged without losing any of the resolution.

Images are then sent to Lahey where the doctor reads the images. It is possible to have the results the same day the scan was done.

If they wish, patients can take a CD of the images home with them on the same day as the images are available as soon as they are scanned.