MR Technology Provides Significant Noise Reduction with High Image Quality

The quietness and open design of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is noticeably improving the MR experience for patients.

Health Scan Imaging has installed the Vantage Titan as the flagship MR machine at its new 465-m² location (Temecula, CA, USA). The system boasts a 71-cm opening, the largest in the industry, and patented noise reduction technology.

The Vantage Titan's patient-focused features significantly improve patient comfort and increase the range of patients who can undergo an MR exam. Claustrophobic and obese patients are now able to be imaged with MR because the open bore provides a greater feeling of openness. Toshiba Medical System's (Tokyo, Japan) patented Pianissimo technology greatly reduces acoustic noise, the most significant cause of patient discomfort during a MR exam. Finally, patients sensitive to contrast agents now have an alternative for a contrast-free MR angiography (MRA) exam.

"The quietness of the Vantage Titan is dramatic when compared to other MRI systems on the market,” said Dr. Bill Kelly, founder and medical director of Health Scan Imaging, a medical imaging network with nine locations throughout Southern California. "Our radiologists, employees, and especially patients have all noticed the distinct reduction in noise. Additionally, our patients really appreciate the more comfortable, wider bore. In fact, both of these features have led referring physicians and patients to recommend our site.”

The open bore of the 1.5T Vantage Titan MRI system is 18% larger than other 1.5T systems on the market and features a large 71-cm patient aperture, excellent homogeneity, and the largest available clinical field-of-view (FOV) of 55 x 55 x 50 cm, providing a very high level of patient care and diagnostic capability available. The 30/130 gradient platform of the Vantage Titan provides unparalleled power. It also has a homogeneity specification of two parts per million over a 50 x 50 x 50 cm DSV and a 1.4-meter magnet length, producing excellent image quality.

"Maintaining our reputation for high levels of patient care due to outstanding image quality was paramount in our purchasing decision,” explained Dr. Kelly. "Alternative short bore systems on the market did not meet our needs because of limitations in z-axis field-of- view and excessive noise. The Titan's 50-cm z-axis field-of-view for abdominal, pelvic, and spine studies was a main factor in acquiring the system.”

The Vantage Titan MR system also takes advantage of Toshiba's proprietary contrast-free MRA techniques--fresh blood imaging (FBI), contrast-free improved angiography (CIA), time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP), and time and space angiography (TSA). Contrast-free imaging is particularly important because gadolinium, the most common contrast agent used for MR exams, has been directly linked to a potentially fatal disease that has occurred in patients with renal insufficiency, called nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). These contrast-free protocols allow physicians to perform scans on patients with known renal compromise and diabetes.

"Health Scan Imaging's purchase of the Titan is a testament to the system's patient-friendly features,” said Bob Giegerich, director, MR Business Unit, Toshiba. "The large, wide bore and significant reduction in noise create a better imaging experience for all patients. Also, the Vantage Titan's large clinical FOV is unique for this bore size and produces high-quality images without compromising homogeneity or overall imaging performance.”

Toshiba Medical Systems is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions.

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Toshiba Medical Systems
Health Scan Imaging