Siemens SOMATOM Sensation vs. SOMATOM Emotion – CT scanner comparison

The two models Siemens SOMATOM Sensation and Siemens SOMATOM Emotion are among the leading devices in computed tomography. However, they differ in their performance, cooling technology and application, which means that they cover different needs in medical imaging.

The main differences between Siemens SOMATOM Sensation and Siemens SOMATOM Emotion CT lie in the available slice numbers, the cooling method and the suitability for patient volumes. Sensation CTs are more powerful and water-cooled, while Emotion CTs are more compact, air-cooled and require less maintenance.

In this article, you will find out which model is best suited to your requirements. From technical specifications to the practical benefits of both systems – here you will find all the relevant information you need to make an informed decision.

Siemens SOMATOM Sensation vs. SOMATOM Emotion – advantages, differences and areas of application

The choice between the Siemens Sensation CT scanner and the Siemens Emotion CT scanner is crucial for the efficiency and quality of medical imaging. Both models offer specific advantages that are tailored to different requirements in clinics and practices.

While the SOMATOM Sensation series impresses with higher slice numbers, powerful X-ray tubes and water-cooled technology, the SOMATOM Emotion series scores with a compact design, air cooling and lower maintenance costs. These differences make both devices ideal for different areas of application, from high-volume imaging to smaller rooms with moderate patient volumes.

In this article, you will learn how the two models differ in terms of performance, space requirements, maintenance costs and X-ray tube types. This will enable you to make an informed decision as to which device best meets the requirements of your medical facility.

1. comparison of the Siemens SOMATOM Sensation and SOMATOM Emotion

The Siemens Sensation CT and Siemens Emotion CT scanners offer different options for different radiological requirements. This section presents the respective models and their features.

1.1 Siemens SOMATOM Sensation CT

The Siemens Sensation CT series is available in 4, 10, 16, 40 and 64-slice variants. These scanners offer high performance and are particularly suitable for specialized applications such as cardio-CTs or detailed examinations with high patient volumes.

With powerful X-ray tubes and a water-cooled design, they are designed for use in facilities with intensive use. The Sensation series models require more space and have higher installation costs due to their size and the external chiller.

These scanners are ideal for clinics that require high image quality for more complex examinations.

1.2 Siemens SOMATOM Emotion CT

The Siemens Emotion CT series includes models with 1, 2, 6 and 16 slices. These scanners are more compact and offer a cost-effective solution for routine diagnostics.

The air-cooled design of the Emotion scanners reduces maintenance costs as no external chiller is required. They are particularly suitable for smaller facilities or those with limited space and budget.

Despite their smaller design, they offer solid performance for a wide range of diagnoses and are suitable for facilities with moderate patient volumes.

2 Comparison of technical features – SOMATOM Emotion vs. SOMATOM Sensation

This section compares the main technical features of the Siemens Sensation and Siemens Emotion CT scanners. The differences in slice options, cooling systems and space requirements are crucial for choosing the right model.

2.1 Slice options

The Siemens Sensation CT series offers a wider range of slice options, with models from 4 to 64 slices. This makes them particularly suitable for complex applications such as cardio CTs where detailed images are required.

In comparison, the Siemens Emotion CT series offers fewer slice options, from 1 to 16 slices, making it a good choice for routine examinations with less detailed image requirements.

However, the lower slice options of the Emotion series may be insufficient for more complex examinations. Therefore, the choice between the models is crucial for high-resolution images or simple routine diagnostics, depending on your needs.

2.2 Cooling systems

The Siemens Sensation CTs are water-cooled, which offers the advantage of higher system purity and a lower noise level. However, these systems require an additional chiller set, which leads to higher maintenance costs.

The Emotion CT series, on the other hand, is air-cooled, which means that no external cooling system is required. This reduces both maintenance costs and space requirements.

The cooling setup of the Emotion series is therefore advantageous for facilities with limited space and less budget for maintenance.

2.3 Space requirements in comparison

Another key difference between the two series is the space required. The Siemens Sensation CT systems have a larger footprint and require additional space for the chiller unit.

These systems are therefore more suitable for larger facilities that have sufficient space.

In contrast, the Siemens Emotion series is more compact and ideal for confined spaces, making it an excellent choice for smaller clinics or surgeries where space is limited.

3. x-ray tubes and costs

The choice of X-ray tube is crucial for the performance and running costs of a CT scanner. In this section we compare the X-ray tubes of the Siemens SOMATOM Sensation and SOMATOM Emotion series and their cost aspects.

3.1 X-ray tubes of the SOMATOM Sensation series

The Siemens Sensation series uses two different X-ray tubes: the Straton (8.0 MHU) and the Akron Q (5.3 MHU). The Straton tube is extremely powerful and suitable for demanding applications such as cardiac CT scans, but is very expensive to replace.

In contrast, the Akron Q-tube is cheaper and particularly suitable for models with fewer slices, such as the 4- or 10-slice versions.

These cost differences make the Akron Q tube a cost-effective choice for less complex examinations. However, for facilities with high patient volumes or special requirements, the Straton is often necessary.

3.2 X-ray tubes of the SOMATOM Emotion series

The Siemens Emotion series uses Dura X-ray tubes, including the Dura 202, 302, 352 and 422 models, depending on the scanner’s slice option.

The Dura 422 tube, which is used in the 6- and 16-slice models, is more expensive than the Akron Q, but significantly cheaper than the Straton tube.

The Dura tubes offer a good balance between performance and cost, making them an attractive choice for facilities with moderate patient volumes.

These tubes are less expensive to replace and still offer solid performance for routine examinations.

4. applications and patient volume

The choice of the right CT scanner depends heavily on the expected patient volume and the specific applications. This section explains the differences between the Siemens Sensation and Siemens Emotion series in terms of their suitability for different patient volumes and specialized diagnoses.

4.1 Areas of application and patient volumes for the Siemens Sensation series

The Siemens Sensation series offers a higher thermal capacity of the tubes, which makes them particularly suitable for use in environments with high patient volumes.

It is excellent for specialized diagnostics such as cardiac CTs, angiographies and complex examinations where many scans need to be performed quickly.

These systems are designed to work reliably even under heavy use and enable fast image capture.

The higher performance and ability to process large amounts of data make the Sensation series a preferred choice for larger clinics and hospitals with intensive operations.

4.2 Application areas and patient volumes for the Siemens Emotion series

The Siemens Emotion series, on the other hand, is better suited for facilities with moderate patient volumes. Due to the lower heat capacity of the tubes, these scanners are ideal for less demanding applications where the scanners are not exposed to constant high loads.

The Emotion series is more cost-effective and is particularly suitable for smaller practices or clinics that need to perform less complex CT examinations.

With lower usage, it offers very good performance at a lower price, making it an attractive option for facilities with limited budget and space.

5. conclusion and purchase recommendation

The decision between the Siemens Sensation and the Siemens Emotion depends largely on the individual requirements and circumstances of the facility. Both models offer clear advantages, depending on which factors, such as patient volume, space and budget, are most important.

5.1 Who is the SOMATOM Sensation series suitable for?

The Siemens Sensation series is particularly suitable for larger, specialized practices and hospitals that are confronted with high patient volumes and more complex diagnoses.

Thanks to its higher thermal capacity and wider slice options, the Sensation offers outstanding performance when performing demanding examinations.

Facilities with larger capacities and the need for specialized CT scans, such as cardiac examinations or angiographies, benefit from the higher performance of the Sensation series.

5.2 Who is the SOMATOM Emotion series suitable for?

The Siemens Emotion series is an ideal choice for smaller, cost-effective facilities that mainly perform standard diagnostics.

With fewer slice options and a more compact design, the Emotion is perfect for practices with limited space and moderate patient volumes.

It offers good performance at a lower price, making it an affordable solution for facilities that do not require highly complex diagnostics.

Ultimately, the choice between the Siemens Sensation and the Siemens Emotion depends on the specific needs of the facility. Both models offer clear advantages and can be the right solution depending on the area of application.

Außerdem ist festzuhalten, dass Siemens generell zu den besten MRT Herstellern am Markt gehört. Im verlinkten Artikel erfahren Sie mehr zu den besten MRT-Herstellern und hier finden Sie einen Überblick über sämtliche Medizintechnik Geräte am Markt.

Häufig gestellte Fragen zu Siemens MRTs