At the 31st China International Medical Equipment Exhibition and Scientific Conference (China-Hospeq 2025), which took place in Beijing from August 15–17, Vital Materials introduced the VITA Genesis, the country’s first entirely domestic Photon Counting CT (PCCT) scanner. This milestone represents a transformative step for global medical imaging technology, ushering in the “Quantum Flux” sensing era and reinforcing China’s leadership in advanced diagnostic innovation.
At the core of PCCT lies Photon Counting Detector (PCD) technology, which marks a substantial departure from traditional Energy Integrating Detectors (EID). Conventional CT systems rely on X-ray photons being converted to visible light before being transformed into electrical signals. PCCT, however, utilizes semiconductor-based detectors, where incoming X-ray photons directly stimulate electrons, generating electron-hole pairs in proportion to photon energy. An electric field is then used to separate these charge carriers, creating precise electrical pulses. These pulses are processed through Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), which categorize them by energy levels, enabling highly accurate photon counting and energy discrimination. This innovation opens the door to multi-energy spectral imaging, dramatically improving the diagnostic depth and accuracy of medical imaging applications.
Presently, PCCT detectors are primarily built using materials such as Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT), Cadmium Telluride (CdTe), and Deep Silicon. Among these, CZT stands out as a pivotal enabler for next-generation imaging technologies, thanks to its superior detection efficiency and resolution. What truly distinguishes the VITA Genesis is not only its use of CZT-based detectors but also Vital Materials’ breakthrough in achieving full vertical integration of PCCT technology. This comprehensive capability spans ultra-high-purity metal purification, crystal growth and processing, component and system development, as well as advanced imaging algorithms. By mastering each step of the production and innovation chain, Vital Materials has set a new global benchmark in PCCT development, positioning VITA Genesis as a symbol of technological advancement and a catalyst for the future of precision diagnostics and treatment.
