RFA Argus takes on board a Philips Ingenuity CT64 Scanner

Guildford, UK - RFA (Royal Fleet Auxilliary) Argus, as part of a recent refit, has acquired what is believed to be the world's first 64 slice CT scanner in a mobile vessel, the Philips Ingenuity CT 64 scanner. A challenging installation, the scanner was craned in through the hold, and a path was cut through the ship to the designated site, with the ship's walls then being re-sealed afterwards. Once her refit is complete, RFA Argus is expect to return to sea later this year.

Philips Ingenuity CT 64 scanner provides low-dose, high-quality imaging, with excellent 4cm coverage and also the ability to personalise image quality, patient-by-patient. With outstandingly consistent image quality in routine imaging, it comes fully loaded with an array of innovative features including iDose4 premium package with O-MAR metal artifact reduction. In addition, Philips' new MRC ICE tube and power-efficient 80kw generator ensure robust and reliable scanning. Philips Ingenuity CT 64 scanner also offers an intuitive and easy-to-operate workspace environment, featuring powerful CT applications that improve productivity by working in the same way as the user. It includes planning, scanning, visualisation and archiving in a simple, easy-to-use graphical interface (GUI) that is harmonised across the Philips Healthcare portfolio.

The principal role of RFA Argus is to serve as a Primary Casualty Receiving Facility (PCRF). She has a fully equipped 100-bed hospital on board, offering full services including a four-bay operating theatre, coupled with a 10-bed critical care unit, a 20-bed high dependency unit and now a Philips Ingenuity CT 64 scanner. RFA Argus does not comply with the Geneva Convention's definition of a hospital ship' as she is fitted with self-defence guns and decoys and may have operational units embarked. As she is not classified as a hospital ship, she does not display the international Red Cross symbol.

Her secondary role is to provide specialist aviation training facilities, and with a flexible design she is able to fulfil additional roles including acting as a logistics ship, when she can be adapted to transport large amounts of equipment quickly.

RFA Argus recently completed Directed Continuation Training (DCT) Atlantic Patrol North (APT-N) at the Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) facilities at Devonport, Devon UK. The primary focus of this training was to train the ship's company in its humanitarian and disaster relief organisation.

The greater part of 2012 was spent on APT-N duties, after which, RFA Argus returned to Portland, Dorset in December having spent seven months away on counter-drugs and disaster-relief patrol around the United States and the Caribbean. The ship also represented the United Kingdom during the United States 1812 bi-centenary celebrations and for four weeks joined a procession of sail to Norfolk, Baltimore and Boston, USA.

LINK:	http://www.newscenter.philips.com/gb_en/standard/news/healthcare/rfa_a...
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