systemSiemensCTfamily: somatom-sensation

Siemens SOMATOM Sensation 40

Family: SOMATOM Sensation · Modality: CT

40-slice intermediate tier in the Sensation family. Built on the same STRATON tube and UFC detector architecture as the Sensation 64, delivering 40 reconstructed slices per rotation through Siemens' z-Sharp flying-focal-spot technology on a 32-row physical detector. Positioned between the 16-slice Sensation 16 and the 64-slice flagship; supports cardiac imaging at 0.33 sec rotation and z-UHR (ultra-high-resolution) acquisition to 0.24 mm isotropic resolution.

What z-Sharp does on Sensation 40

  • Electron beam deflection inside the STRATON tube alternates between two focal-spot positions at ~4608 Hz.
  • Each projection is offset by half a detector-slice width in the z-direction.
  • On a 32-row physical UFC detector, this produces 40 effectively acquired slices per rotation through interpolated interleaving.
  • Clinical consequence: higher z-axis sampling density than a 40-row physical detector would produce on its own; less spiral-CT interpolation artifact.

Platform highlights

  • 32 × 0.6 mm UFC detector with z-Sharp → 40 reconstructed slices.
  • STRATON tube — liquid-metal-bearing rotating anode.
  • 80 kW high-frequency generator — stepped up from Sensation 16's 50 kW to support the faster rotation and cardiac duty cycle.
  • 0.33 sec minimum rotation — cardiac-capable temporal resolution.
  • z-UHR option — 0.24 mm isotropic resolution for inner-ear / skull base / small-lesion work.
  • Sub-millimeter Z-axis coverage speed — ~87 mm/s at the standard sub-mm mode.
  • CARE Dose4D — Siemens' 4D (z + angular) tube-current modulation, a step up from Sensation 16's CARE Dose.
  • 70 cm gantry aperture.

Specs

  • 40 reconstructed slices (32 × 0.6 mm physical detector + z-Sharp)
  • 70 cm gantry aperture
  • 0.33 sec minimum rotation
  • STRATON tube · 80 kW generator
  • UFC detector
  • CARE Dose4D
  • z-UHR 0.24 mm option
  • syngo CT host

Clinical positioning

  • Cardiac CTA — coronary CTA at 0.33 sec rotation. Competitive with GE LightSpeed VCT XT for non-premium cardiac practice.
  • Neuro / trauma / body — full routine diagnostic CT.
  • High-resolution applications — inner-ear, temporal bone, skull base with z-UHR.
  • Vascular runoff — faster Z-axis coverage than Sensation 16.

Market position

  • Intermediate refurb tier — Sensation 40 is less common in the secondary market than Sensation 16 or 64 but has a measurable install base globally.
  • Pathway: sites that want Sensation-era cardiac without paying for 64-slice often land on Sensation 40.
  • Successor-class — SOMATOM Definition AS replaced Sensation 40 / 64 in new Siemens orders.

Relationship to siblings

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