GE HealthCare Wins EU Nod for Photon-Counting CT

GE HealthCare has received CE mark approval for its Photonova Spectra photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) system with its Deep Silicon detector technology. It will begin commercial activities for countries that observe CE mark immediately.

According to the company, Photonova Spectra was developed to address rising patient volumes and growing diagnostics complexity. The company hopes the PCCT, which received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance earlier this year, will provide clinicians with clear, timely answers to inform their decisions.

The PCCT offers spectral and spatial imaging with every scan and a single protocol setup across exams, supporting disease detection, characterization and monitoring while simplifying workflows. Deep Silicon detector technology allows ultra-high-definition (UHD) imaging with wide coverage for faster acquisition and visualization of subtle tissue differences, small lesions, and vascular structures.

In neurology, Photonova Spectra provides detailed visualization of small structures and differentiation of brain gray and white matter. For oncology, the system supports lesion characterization, quantification, and iodine mapping for detection and treatment monitoring. In musculoskeletal imaging, it can reveal small fractures and bone marrow edema, while UHD thoracic imaging captures fine anatomical detail. In cardiology, wide coverage combined with UHD and spectral imaging supports in-stent lumen, plaque, and myocardial assessment.

GE HealthCare hopes the device’s photon-counting and detector design can also expand research possibilities, including quantitative imaging, tissue characterization, and spectral biomarker discovery. The system’s enhanced spectral data could support research into new clinical applications and imaging protocols beyond the limitations of conventional CT technology.

Photonova Spectra handles the high data volumes of photon-counting CT (which are up to 50 times more than conventional CT) using NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platform and CUDA-optimized reconstruction to deliver timely, clinically actionable images and efficient workflows.

Comments from GE HealthCare execs and clinicians

Chad Rowland, executive director, Global CT: “We are proud to deliver this new generation of photon-counting CT to the clinicians and patients around the world it was intentionally designed to serve. At its core is our Deep Silicon detector technology, which enables Photonova Spectra to capture remarkably detailed, spectral information in every scan. That level of clarity and consistency aims to make a meaningful difference in both cutting-edge research and day‑to‑day care – from helping teams see subtle findings confidently to reducing steps across a wide range of exams. Ultimately, this innovative technology was created to advance imaging as well as support the people who rely on it.”

Catherine Estrampes, president & CEO, Global Markets: “Across Europe, clinicians are looking for imaging solutions that keep pace with rising demand while elevating diagnostic confidence. Deep Silicon photon‑counting CT gives them both—the clarity needed to see what truly matters and the efficiency required to deliver it consistently. With CE Mark for Photonova Spectra, we’re bringing this technology to European care teams with the added strengths of Deep Silicon, ultra‑high-definition imaging, and wide detector coverage to help support fast, robust acquisitions. It’s about giving clinicians tools that help them move quickly and decisively and giving their patients the reassurance that their care is guided by the best information possible.”

Johan de Mey, MD, Ph.D., Chair of Radiology, UZ Brussel – Vrije Universiteit Brussel: “Deep Silicon brings a meaningful evolution to photon-counting CT. Silicon’s unique properties as a semiconductor enables precise photon energy measurement, helping power advanced spectral imaging capabilities. For us, that may offer new opportunities to differentiate materials like iodine, calcium and fat, as well as provide image quality that holds up even in challenging patient scenarios. Additionally, with Photonova Spectra’s rapid 0.23‑second rotation speed and 80 mm detector coverage, we can achieve fast, motion‑free acquisitions across care areas, helping ensure that detail and diagnostic confidence aren’t compromised. These advancements aim to provide a more reliable picture of how a condition is evolving or whether a treatment is truly working, supporting more timely and informed decisions for every patient.”