China’s first fully self-developed medical imaging equipment—the phased array CT—has been officially launched in Shanghai for clinical trial use. Compared to traditional spiral CTs, the phased array CT achieves a 64-fold improvement in spatial resolution, a 3-fold improvement in temporal resolution, and a 144-fold increase in the amount of information captured per scan.
China’s ultra-high-end CT market has long been dominated by multinational corporations. The successful development of the phased array CT marks the first time a Chinese high-end medical equipment manufacturer has achieved full independent control over core CT technologies.
“The birth of the phased array CT represents a revolutionary leap in the history of CT technology,” stated an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a video address. This breakthrough technology, developed entirely through domestic efforts—from fundamental theoretical research and core component development to full system integration—demonstrates China’s independent innovation capabilities in high-precision medical equipment. It lays a solid foundation for building a secure and reliable high-end medical equipment system.
In terms of technological innovation, this breakthrough adopts a completely new imaging method. The phased array CT installed at Ruijin Hospital breaks through the traditional CT technical framework. It creatively employs an entire ring detector array and a distributed X-ray source array electronic control system, replacing mechanical rotation with precise timing pulse exposure, successfully overcoming the physical limitations that restrict CT scanning speed.
“This equipment, with its ultra-high precision imaging capability, elevates the detection rate of early lesions to a new height, bringing revolutionary breakthroughs in the ultra-early diagnosis of tumors and cardiovascular diseases. It not only significantly improves clinical diagnostic accuracy but also enables precise monitoring and management throughout the entire disease process, laying a key technological foundation for precision medical practice,” said the chief scientist. The director of the Radiology Department at Ruijin Hospital stated: “We look forward to accelerating the transformation of this innovative technology into clinical solutions that benefit patients through clinical validation.”
It is expected that the phased array CT will soon complete rigorous clinical trials, fully demonstrating its unique advantages in speed and precision, and promoting Chinese medical imaging diagnostic technology to the forefront of the world.
