Reynolds Memorial Hospital News

New Dimension in Open MRI and Patient Comfort
01/14/10

Reynolds Memorial Hospital has installed an Open Bore, 1.5 Tesla, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system that combines a larger bore, or opening. The machine captures high-field quality diagnostic images.
“This is going to increase our efficiency and patient convenience,” said Shelley Snyder, Director of Radiology Services at Reynolds Memorial Hospital. “The patient-friendly design of this magnet will make it easier for large patients and those with claustrophobia to have a MRI examination which produces higher quality images. This will potentially reduce the need to repeat and interrupt exams.”
“Certainly, all patients deserve the same access to innovative medical imaging technology used for visualization, diagnosis and treatment planning of cancer, diabetes, heart and vascular disorders and other diseases associated with obesity,” says Nancy Gillen, president of the MR Division of Siemens Medical Solutions.
Claustrophobic patients present a challenge for MRI systems. They can be sedated, adding to their inconvenience and the time it takes to schedule and perform an exam. The Siemens Medical Solutions MAGNETOM Espree installed at Reynolds Memorial Hospital features a bore opening of nearly 2.3 feet in diameter and almost one foot of free space between a patient’s head and the magnet. The Espree also features the shortest 1.5 Tesla magnet available. Approximately four feet long, the magnet allows more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient’s head outside the bore, helping to ease claustrophobia.
The new system provides up to four times more signal-to-noise ratio over traditional open MR designs, which is desirable in imaging larger patients. In addition, the Espree can perform advanced clinical applications in less time, because it combines strong gradient performance with Siemens’ Total imaging matrix (Tim™) technology. Tim is the first whole body surface coil design that enables the highest resolution images in a shorter acquisition time. Tim coils are very light, making them both easy to position and tolerate when scanning patients, improving cooperation.