A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system offers superior imaging at a reduced total cost of ownership compared to other scanners in this product range, and provides hospitals and radiologic institutes with easier access to the highly valued 3 Tesla (3T) technology that produces excellent image quality and rapid scan times.

Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) has announced that the Magnetom Spectra 3 Tesla MRI system has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Designed for easy and efficient operation, the cost-optimized Magnetom Spectra system is innovative and competitive--two key goals of the Healthcare Sector’s Agenda 2013 two-year global initiative.

“Siemens Healthcare is proud to offer the Magnetom Spectra MRI system, which opens the door to 3T imaging technology for a wider range of healthcare facilities than ever before,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, vice president of MR, Siemens Healthcare. “The Magnetom Spectra delivers crisp, high-resolution images that provide the key to a new level of usability and diagnostic confidence for physicians.”

The Magnetom Spectra system employs Tim (Total imaging matrix) 4G technology--Siemens’ latest coil generation that provides a new degree of imaging accuracy and flexibility. This sophisticated array structure allows for high spatial and temporal resolution, that, combined with a high-quality signal-to-noise ratio, enables Tim 4G to provide excellent image quality. Until now, images of similar quality could be generated only by high-end 3T systems, which require a higher investment. The MR system enables private radiology practices, imaging centers, and clinics to benefit from high imaging quality for their clinical routine.

The Magnetom Spectra system also consumes less energy than other 3T scanners. Furthermore, the magnet-cooling helium is contained in a closed loop, preventing the gas from escaping and reducing the need for costly refills. Moreover, various components of the system help technologists simplify the MRI examination process. For example, the cableless direct-connect coils allow for simple and fast setup, with up to 120-coil elements capable of being combined in a flexible manner. For this reason, even large scans with large anatomical coverage up to whole-body scans (205 cm) can be performed in one examination without patient or coil repositioning.

The system can be used for a wide range of applications, from diagnosing damaged ankle cartilage to conducting dynamic abdominal examinations to performing functional brain imaging. To reduce exam complexity, the system is equipped with Siemens’ MRI workflow solution Dot (Day optimizing throughput), which enables easy, fast choice of the best scan strategy based on the patient’s condition and the clinical indication. Users benefit from step-by-step guidance throughout the examination, receiving decision-making aid at critical junctures to support consistent, reproducible scanning across patients.

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