Designed and manufactured by WH Bence for Siemens, this hybrid-powered mobile lung screening unit is the UK’s first hybrid-powered mobile CT facility, developed specifically to enable community lung screening without reliance on fixed infrastructure. Designed to operate completely off-grid, the unit combines a 200kW lithium LiFePO4 battery system, 4.5kW roof-mounted solar array and quiet 25kW biofuel-capable generator to provide a resilient, low-emission power solution capable of sustaining clinical operations in locations where conventional CT trailers would be impractical. The demonstrator unit successfully completed 1,090 low-dose lung CT examinations across 22 operating days using only 40 hours of generator runtime, demonstrating the viability of battery-led mobile CT screening in real-world service. The completed unit houses a Siemens SOMATOM go.Up CT system within a self-contained clinical trailer measuring 14,223 mm long, 2,540 mm wide in transport and 4,400 mm wide when fully deployed, with an overall height of 4,079 mm and an approximate unladen weight of 33,000 kg. A passive rear-steer tri-axle chassis, raisable front axle and four hydraulic levelling legs support site access and stable deployment, with manual hydraulic override provided for emergency operation.
The internal layout comprises a two-operator control room, two fixed changing rooms, an additional curtained changing area, a battery room and a spacious CT examination room extended by two slide-out pods. Radiation protection includes RPA-specified lead lining to the imaging-room walls, lead-lined access and partition doors, lead-lined viewing glass with switchable privacy, and an X-ray warning light. Patient access is provided by a 500 kg side lift, gated handrails, access ramps and illuminated steps, with an electronic interlock preventing the pod entrance door from opening unless the lift and ramp are correctly deployed. Ten-air-change mechanical ventilation with HEPA filtration, thermostatically controlled air conditioning, an HTM-compliant handwash basin, ceiling Skyscape, mood lighting and medical-grade antistatic flooring support the clinical environment.
· Hybrid power: 200 kW peak-output lithium LiFePO4 battery bank, 4.5 kW roof-mounted solar array and quiet 25 kW biofuel-capable diesel marine generator, integrated with 32 A or 63 A three-phase mains connection options
· Off-grid capability: up to three full screening days without external charging, with the battery providing an uninterruptible supply for the CT and ancillary systems
· Proven performance: the demonstrator completed 1,090 low-dose lung CT examinations across 22 operating days using 40 hours of generator runtime, with the batteries carrying the clinical day
· Remote monitoring: live monitoring of battery, solar generation, generator, fuel, room temperature and humidity, and water levels, supported by email and SMS alerts and remote diagnostics
· Water and data: fresh- and grey-water tanks, external water and waste connections, CAT6 data network and patch panel, with 4G/5G or satellite connectivity
· Safety and security: FIKE fire alarm, burglar and panic alarms, internal and external cameras, emergency lighting, Paxton-controlled access, CT emergency stops and CO₂ extinguishers
