In an era where precision, speed, and personalization define the future of healthcare, innovations in diagnostic imaging are transforming how diseases are detected, monitored, and treated. 

Among these breakthroughs, photon-counting computed tomography (CT) stands out as a game-changing advancement, offering unprecedented image clarity, reduced radiation exposure, and enhanced diagnostic confidence. 

As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with rising patient volumes and increasingly complex conditions, intelligent imaging solutions are becoming essential tools in delivering timely and accurate care.

In this exclusive interaction with Drug Today Medical Times (DTMT), Mr Philipp Fischer, Head of Computed Tomography at Siemens Healthineers, shares insights into how cutting-edge CT technologies, adaptive imaging systems, and unbiased artificial intelligence are redefining patient care, improving clinical workflows, and paving the way for a more personalized and preventive healthcare ecosystem.

DTMT: Siemens Healthineers introduced the world’s first photon-counting CT. What difference does this make to patients' lives, particularly for complex diseases today?

Mr Philipp: “Photon-counting CT represents a fundamental technological shift in computed tomography since its market introduction in 2021. It delivers higher image quality, improved tissue characterization, and significantly lower radiation dose compared with conventional CT technologies. In clinical practice, this means that patients with complex or chronic diseases – such as cardiovascular disease and oncologic or pulmonary conditions – benefit from earlier, more precise diagnoses and a reduced need for follow-up imaging, potentially leading to faster treatment initiation. Nearly 3 million patients worldwide have already been scanned using photon-counting CT. In India, non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death, accounting for roughly two-thirds of all mortality. With rising patient numbers and limited clinical staff, pressure on the healthcare system continues to increase. In this environment, precision tools like photon-counting CT can support faster triage, improved treatment planning, and more efficient use of specialists’ time.

DTMT:  How are intelligent and adaptive CT systems redefining personalized patient care – especially for children, elderly patients, and those with implants?

Mr Philipp: Modern CT systems today are built to adapt to differences in age, anatomy, mobility, and clinical condition so that each patient receives the most accurate scan possible with the lowest feasible dose. This includes dedicated low-dose approaches for children and elderly patients, or AI-enabled workflow support. For example, our FAST 3D Camera can help automatically position patients in the isocenter, speeding up alignment and reducing complexity for radiographers once a patient is on the table. Photon-counting CT takes this personalization further by delivering scans at exceptionally high speed, enabling high-quality imaging even when patients cannot remain still or are unable to follow breath-holding instructions – making it possible to scan individuals who previously could not be scanned adequately. It also provides clearer visualization of small anatomical structures, giving clinicians greater diagnostic confidence across a broad spectrum of cases. In India, where imaging centers often balance high throughput with highly diverse patient needs, these adaptive capabilities support more consistent scan quality and help ensure equitable access to reliable, world-class diagnostics.

DTMT: What does “unbiased AI” mean in clinical imaging, and how does it enable more consistent physician decisions?

Mr Philipp: Unbiased AI refers to AI systems designed and validated to minimize unintended variability caused by demographic, anatomical, or workflow-related differences. In imaging, this means AI tools that are trained on diverse data, evaluated for generalizability, and integrated into clinical workflows in a way that standardizes decision-making rather than introducing new variability. Within CT, our AI-Rad Companion Chest CT and AI-enabled workflows help automate repetitive tasks, support less experienced staff, and deliver consistent lesion quantification – relieving clinicians, not replacing them. In that way, unbiased AI contributes to more uniform diagnostic quality across sites.

DTMT: What are the key challenges in integrating AI-enabled CT into routine clinical workflows, and how can healthcare systems overcome them - especially for patients with limited mobility or complex conditions?

Mr Philipp: Integrating advanced CT and AI into daily clinical routines is often less about the technology itself and more about the practical realities within hospitals. Providers may face investment needs, complex IT landscapes, and staffing constraints. Regulatory differences and limited radiology capacity add further complexity. What can help overcome these barriers is technology that truly simplifies work. At Siemens Healthineers, we design CT systems and solutions that automate routine steps and reduce manual interactions, making it far easier for staff to adopt new workflows. Our scalable platforms and flexible training models, including remote education, support teams no matter where they are located. For patients with limited mobility or complex conditions, this translates into smoother, faster exams. Automated positioning, adaptive scanning, and lower-dose, high-speed imaging may help to reduce stress and improve comfort. Ultimately, easing the burden on clinicians directly lifts the experience and quality of care for patients.

DTMT: How can low-dose CT imaging advance preventive healthcare through early detection in asymptomatic patients?

Mr Philipp: Low-dose CT imaging allows clinicians to screen patients before symptoms appear, which is critical in diseases such as lung cancer, coronary artery disease, and chronic lung conditions. Photon-counting CT further reduces radiation and contrast exposure, making screening more feasible for at-risk populations. CT-based lung cancer screening programs, for example, can help improve early detection rates, reduce mortality, and identify treatable diseases stages earlier. In India, where awareness and screening uptake have room to grow, low dose imaging can play a pivotal role in shifting from reactive to preventive healthcare.”

6. Looking ahead, how will AI, adaptive imaging, and innovations like photon counting CT shape diagnostics and personalized care over the next decade?

“Looking ahead, I believe scanners will shift from advanced tools to intelligent, contextaware systems that guide technologists, adjust to each patient, and eliminate many manual tasks. Automation and AI help with positioning and protocol selection, but also support documentation and interpretation, freeing clinicians to concentrate on decision making and patient care. We already see this in our photon-counting CT scanner class, where preparation steps can be reduced dramatically through automation. In the future, every CT will be a photoncounting CT, making it a cornerstone of this evolution by delivering richer spectral data and more confident early diagnoses across cardiology, oncology, and other high-impact areas. As these capabilities mature, imaging will feel more personalized. With strong clinical talent and a growing innovation ecosystem, India is poised not just to adopt these technologies, but to shape how they evolve.”