Which CT Scanner is Best? A Detailed Breakdown of Every Slice Count & Top Models

CT scanners are categorized by their slice count, which determines imaging speed, resolution, and diagnostic capabilities. Below is a detailed breakdown of all available CT machines based on slice count, along with their respective brands and models.

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1. 2-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Early-generation CT scanners with basic imaging capabilities.
• Used in small clinics and mobile units.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – CT/e (2-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATom Spirit (2-slice, discontinued)

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2. 4-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Faster than 2-slice but still limited in resolution.
• Suitable for general radiology.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – LightSpeed Plus (4-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Emotion Duo (4-slice)
• Philips Healthcare – MX8000 (4-slice, discontinued)

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3. 6-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Improved imaging speed over 4-slice models.
• Used in emergency and outpatient settings.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – BrightSpeed 6 (6-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Emotion 6 (6-slice)

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4. 8-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Better for cardiac and vascular imaging than lower-slice models.
• Still in use in some smaller hospitals.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – LightSpeed Ultra (8-slice, discontinued)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Emotion 8 (8-slice)

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5. 10-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Rare configuration, mostly replaced by 16-slice scanners.

Brands & Models:

• Toshiba (Canon Medical) – Aquilion 10 (10-slice, discontinued)

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6. 16-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Most common entry-level CT for hospitals.
• Good for general radiology and trauma imaging.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – BrightSpeed Elite (16-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Emotion 16 (16-slice)
• Philips Healthcare – Brilliance 16 (16-slice)
• Canon Medical (Toshiba) – Aquilion 16 (16-slice)

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7. 32-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Mid-range scanners with better cardiac and neurological imaging.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – Optima CT520 (32-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Definition Edge (32-slice)

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8. 40-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Less common, mostly replaced by 64-slice models.

Brands & Models:

• Toshiba (Canon Medical) – Aquilion CXL 40 (40-slice, discontinued)

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9. 64-Slice CT Scan Machines

• The gold standard for hospitals (cardiac, vascular, and oncology imaging).

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – Revolution EVO (64-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Definition AS (64-slice)
• Philips Healthcare – Ingenuity Core 128 (can operate in 64-slice mode)
• Canon Medical (Toshiba) – Aquilion 64 (64-slice)

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10. 80-Slice CT Scan Machines

• High-speed imaging for advanced diagnostics.

Brands & Models:

• Toshiba (Canon Medical) – Aquilion Prime (80-slice)

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11. 128-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Faster scans, lower radiation, and better 3D reconstruction.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – Optima CT660 (128-slice)
• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Perspective (128-slice)
• Philips Healthcare – Brilliance iCT (128-slice)

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12. 160-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Used in large hospitals for high-resolution imaging.

Brands & Models:

• Toshiba (Canon Medical) – Aquilion Lightning (160-slice)

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13. 192-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Advanced cardiac and neurological imaging.

Brands & Models:

• Siemens Healthineers – SOMATOM Force (Dual-source, 2×192 slices)

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14. 256-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Ultra-fast scanning for trauma and cardiac cases.

Brands & Models:

• GE Healthcare – Revolution CT (256-slice)
• Philips Healthcare – iCT Elite (256-slice)

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15. 320-Slice CT Scan Machines

• Whole-organ imaging in a single rotation.

Brands & Models:

• Canon Medical (Toshiba) – Aquilion ONE / PRISM Edition (320-slice)

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16. 640-Slice CT Scan Machines (Experimental/Research Use)

• Extremely high-resolution imaging (mostly in research settings).

Brands & Models:

• Canon Medical (Toshiba) – Aquilion ONE Genesis (640-slice prototype)

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Conclusion

The slice count of a CT scanner determines its speed, resolution, and diagnostic capabilities. While 16 to 64-slice machines are standard in most hospitals, 128 to 320-slice scanners offer cutting-edge precision for specialized fields like cardiology and neurology.

Top Brands:

• GE Healthcare (Revolution, BrightSpeed, Optima)
• Siemens Healthineers (SOMATOM, Definition, Force)
• Philips Healthcare (Brilliance, Ingenuity, iCT)
• Canon Medical (Toshiba) (Aquilion, Prime, Lightning)