1.5T vs 3T MRI Comparison Guide
Steve Rentz: April 18, 2024
If you're in the market for a new or refurbished CT scanner, you may have noticed there is a buffet of options to choose from. From GE to Siemens, to 16 and 128-slice counts. But, what type of CT do you actually need? And how important is slice count as a consideration before you buy?
Below we will give a breakdown of what CT scanner slice counts mean, and which option may be best for your facility.
Slice Count: what is it and what one do I need?
Slice refers to the number of rows of detectors in the z-axis of a CT scanner. As shown in the below infographic, common range counts range from 16, 32, 4, and 128.
You will also find counts from 256, 320, and 640 in newer models.
So, how many slices does your CT scanner need? The answer heavily depends on your budget and patient scan needs.
CT Slice Count Price Tiers
As slice counts increase, so does the price. Below are typical price ranges on CT scanners and their slice counts:
Entry Level: An entry-level CT scanner will provide basic CT scanning, with the benefit of a lower purchase price, ownership costs, and service costs. Slice counts for entry-level CT will range from 16 to 64 slice, and may be the right fit for a local imaging center, or rural hospital who are looking to do basic scanning with a non-cardiac focus.
Scanner options in this category: GE LightSpeed 16, GE BrightSpeed 16, GE Optima 520 & 540.
Price range: $80,000 to $100,000
Intermediate: Entering into the intermediate level, our slice count goes up to a 64 slice. This is the minimal slice needed for cardiac studies and is most popular for cardiac, and of course, can perform general purposes. Small to large metro hospitals could find what they need from an intermediate-level CT scanner.
Scanner options in this category: GE LightSpeed VCT 64, Philips Brilliance 64, Toshiba Aquilion 64.
Price range: $120,000-$160,000
Premium: Finally, the premium tier. In this category, we are looking at high-end 64 to 128 slice, that are feature-rich and more late-model CT scanners. In this tier, you will find clearer and more defined images, along with a wider array of imaging. Example: scans of the entire heart or majority of the lungs.
Scanner options in this category: GE Optima 660, GE Discovery 750HD, Toshiba Aquilion One, Toshiba Aquilion Prime.
Price range: $200,000-$300,000
In trying to decide which CT scanner is best for you, your budget, scan needs, and patient volume will play major factors when it comes to making a decision.
For even more resources to help on your CT buyer's journey, download our FREE CT Scanner Buyer's Guide. If you're ready to move forward with making a CT purchase, contact our team of CT experts today!
