Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) announced its first orders of the Magnetom Aera 1.5 Tesla and Magnetom Skyra 3 Tesla MRI systems following recent product launches into the UK market. The first hospitals to place orders include Wythenshawe Hospital, part of University Hospital of South Manchester NHS [(UK) National Health Service] Foundation Trust (UHSM), Guys Hospital (London, UK), part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Kidderminster Hospital (Worcestershire, UK), part of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, and Royal Brompton Hospital (London, UK), part of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust.

Both MRI systems have a 70-cm open bore design to accommodate a variety of patient sizes, shapes, and conditions. Its open appearance also helps to reduce sedation rates and minimize stress for claustrophobic patients, and the option of an illuminated colored MoodLight on the front panel can be altered according to preference.

"The Aera is a great example of where MR imaging should be heading. The wide, short bore will make MR more accessible to patients who find conventional MR scanners too claustrophobic,” said Nick Sanderson, lead radiographer for MR Imaging at UHSM's Wythenshawe Hospital. "The integrated coil technology will also make a massive difference to our patient throughput, with an estimated 30% increase in patient exams done.”

Jane Kilkenny, MR product manager at Siemens Healthcare, said, "The Aera and Skyra systems fundamentally transform the way hospitals are able to work with MR. We look forward to seeing the clinical results, patient service enhancements, and efficiency benefits once they are installed into these pioneering hospitals.”

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