Philips launches mobile 3.0T MRI system with automatic adjustment to
the patient
17 June 2010
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) has introduced
the world’s first mobile 3.0T MRI system with MultiTransmit — automatic
adjustment to the patient's size and shape.
The Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile MRI system brings advanced MRI diagnostic
capabilities to patients who previously may not have had access
otherwise.
Built with the same imaging technology as the stationary Philips
3.0T TX system and outfitted with the same amenities and staff as an
in-house MRI suite, the Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile is fully
transportable in a 48-foot trailer.
"The beauty of Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile is that several different
healthcare facilities can rent it at any given time because of its
ability to travel, ultimately helping to solve patient overflow
issues in large University and teaching hospitals”, said Conrad
Smits, CEO for MRI, Philips Healthcare. "In addition, it is also
ideal for healthcare facilities who do not have the resources to
build or add onto their own MRI suites or who want to sample the
imaging service provided by advanced 3.0T MultiTransmit technology."
The system has the same ease of use and set-up time as many 1.5T
scanners, but with the higher resolution and clarity that was once
only available in sophisticated research institutions. The mobile
unit also includes active magnetic shielding, permitting the
light-weight high field magnet to be transported in the trailer.
The MultiTransmit feature, Philips’ patient-adaptive parallel
transmit RF technology, utilizes multiple radiofrequency
transmission signals to automatically adjust to each patient's
unique size and shape. Previously, radiologists using 3.0T imaging
faced the challenge of dielectric shading, a non-uniform
radiofrequency distribution in the body that affected image quality.
The MultiTransmit technological innovation delivers enhanced image
contrast uniformity, and consistent 3.0T imaging to mainstream
radiology.
The UK medical charity COLBALT, purchased the first system. One
of their many aims is to facilitate screening for cancer operating
within the three counties of Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and
Herefordshire.
Peter Sharpe, CEO of COBALT, said, "We believe that the system’s
greater field of view and excellent image uniformity provided by
MultiTransmit technology will allow us to expand the range of
patients for whom we can provide a 3.0T imaging service. It should
also enable us to offer a regular service for standard MR referrals,
not only providing higher quality images but also greater patient
throughput"