CT on Wheels Brings Stroke Diagnosis Directly to Emergency Scenes

Siemens Healthineers has introduced its first mobile stroke unit in the United States, deploying an ambulance equipped with a built-in CT scanner to assist in emergency stroke care. Operated by UCLA Health in Southern California, the mobile unit is designed to respond to 911 calls and deliver on-site diagnostic capabilities.

The specialized ambulance functions either in tandem with or as a replacement for a standard emergency vehicle. It is capable of conducting rapid head scans to detect either a blocked blood vessel or a brain hemorrhage. This immediate diagnostic function is aimed at addressing the time-sensitive nature of stroke treatment.

Matthew Dedman, head of CT at Siemens Healthineers North America, emphasized the urgency often associated with stroke care. “The phrase ‘time is brain’ is used frequently when discussing stroke,” he stated. “This innovative CT solution will help stroke care teams improve access to care and reduce the critical time from symptom onset to diagnosis and treatment.”

The mobile unit includes Siemens Healthineers’ Somatom On.site CT scanner, a compact, head-focused imaging device. According to the company, the device produces image quality comparable to larger, fixed CT systems. Its features include a self-shielded, telescopic gantry, as well as artificial intelligence tools designed to expedite the scanning and interpretation process.

The stroke unit is also integrated with telemedicine capabilities, allowing remote stroke specialists to assist in patient evaluations. While diagnostics are being performed, emergency responders on site can begin administering appropriate treatments, such as clot-busting medications or interventions for blood pressure control and anticoagulation, depending on the type of stroke.

Siemens Healthineers estimates that a stroke occurs approximately every 40 seconds in the U.S., with a stroke-related death occurring roughly every three minutes. The company indicated that its mobile units have the potential to reduce the average time-to-treatment by about 30 minutes, a factor that can be critical in determining outcomes for patients.

May Nour, medical director of the Arline and Henry Gluck Mobile Stroke Rescue Program at UCLA Health, described the mobile imaging technology as a significant advancement in emergency medicine. “Our commitment to innovative approaches in emergency medicine aims to improve patient outcomes through rapid assessment and treatment when every minute counts,” she said.

The Somatom On.site had previously been available in a mobile format within hospitals, such as for bedside exams in intensive care units. Its integration into an ambulance marks a new phase in pre-hospital stroke response, with potential implications for broader adoption in emergency care systems.