GE HealthCare has obtained a CE mark for Photonova Spectra—an advanced photon-counting computed tomography (CT) system featuring the company’s proprietary Deep Silicon detector technology. This regulatory milestone expands access and enables clinical adoption of the technology in countries that observe CE marking, as per a press release from GE HealthCare.
“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,” said Chad Rowland, executive director of global CT at GE HealthCare. “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.”
GE HealthCare claims that, as healthcare providers navigate rising patient volumes and increasing diagnostic complexity, they need clear, timely answers to inform decisions across care pathways—and Photonova Spectra was intentionally engineered to help clinicians “address these realities”.
By harnessing the full potential of GE HealthCare’s proprietary Deep Silicon detector technology, the system’s ultra-high-definition (UHD) imaging is designed to work with wide coverage, enabling fast acquisition speeds, and the precise visualisation of subtle tissue variations, small lesions and vascular structures. With on-demand spectral and spatial imaging for every scan, and a one-protocol setup for many exams, Photonova Spectra seeks to empower clinicians to detect, characterise and monitor disease with confidence while also reducing complexity and supporting efficiency, the company states.
“Deep Silicon brings a meaningful evolution to photon-counting CT,” added Johan de Mey (Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium). “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 80mm 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.”
According to GE HealthCare, the clinical potential of Photonova Spectra with Deep Silicon spans a wide range of specialties, including neurology—with “excellent visualisation” of tiny structures like the inner ear, and clear delineation between grey and white matter in the brain at the same time—as well as oncology, musculoskeletal and thoracic imaging, and cardiology.
“Across Europe, clinicians are looking for imaging solutions that keep pace with rising demand while elevating diagnostic confidence,” commented Catherine Estrampes, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of global markets at GE HealthCare. “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, UHD 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.”
With CE marking now achieved, GE HealthCare will begin commercial activities in countries that observe the CE mark. This latest regulatory achievement follows Photonova Spectra’s 510(k) clearance by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Japanese regulatory approval in March 2026.
