Siemens Healthineers works with WH Bence to develop UK’s first hybrid-powered mobile CT unit for sustainable lung screening
Siemens Healthineers and WH Bence have collaborated to develop the UK’s first hybrid-powered mobile CT unit for lung cancer screening, enabling more flexible, resilient and sustainable delivery of community-based imaging services. Designed to support growing demand for targeted lung health checks, the unit is built around the Siemens Healthineers Somatom go.Up CT system.
Unlike conventional mobile CT units that rely on large external generators or high capacity site power, the hybrid-powered solution combines lithium-ion batteries, a 100kW uninterruptible power supply architecture with low amperage trickle charging and roof-mounted solar panels. As a result, the unit can operate for up to three full screening days without external charging, allowing off-grid deployment. It also provides increased operational resilience during local power disruption.
The Somatom go.Up is a compact 64-slice CT scanner designed to support high quality imaging and efficient workflows in mobile environments. It incorporates tin filter technology, enabling low dose imaging protocols that are suited to lung cancer screening.
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust consultant respiratory physician Professor Richard Booton said: “We’ve worked closely with Siemens Healthineers for many years across our lung cancer screening programme, using mobile CT technology to bring screening closer to local communities. A hybrid-powered solution like this offers increased flexibility, enabling services to be delivered in a wider range of locations without many of the logistical challenges traditionally associated with mobile imaging infrastructure, while supporting efforts to reduce emissions through lower reliance on generator-based power. As lung screening continues to expand, innovations that support accessibility and operational resilience will become increasingly important.”
Lead picture: Siemens Healthineers head of diagnostic imaging Graham Plant, business area lead for CT Carl Smith, WH Bence sales executive Denise Taljaard, Siemens Healthineers CT product specialists Matthew Whitfield, Luke Walton and Conor Casey standing inside the UK’s first hybrid-powered mobile CT unit next to the Somatom go.Up CT system.
Read this report on page 4 of the June 2026 issue of RAD Magazine.
