Integrated Whole-Body Molecular PET/MR System Developed for Clinical Use Testing

The world's first integrated, whole-body molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system has been developed with simultaneous data acquisition technology, and is currently undergoing clinical use testing. The system comprises an MR scanner and an integrated positron emission tomography (PET) detection system with an architecture that performs as one. In the new 3-Tesla hybrid system, developers have succeeded for the first time in simultaneously capturing MR and PET data with a whole-body system.

The Biograph mMR system, developed by Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany), has been installed at the University Hospital Klinikum rechts der Isar of the Munich Technical University, Germany. "Together with our partner Siemens we are entering a new dimension in diagnostic imaging today,” said Prof. Dr. Markus Schwaiger, director of the clinic for nuclear medicine at the university hospital. "We've initiated clinical use testing of Biograph mMR in an effort to diagnose diseases at a very early stage; to see the progression of disease and to use that information to develop a therapy plan precisely focused on the respective patient. Furthermore, we plan to use the system for cancer follow-up in the long run, by reducing radiation exposure by the use of the system.”

With the simultaneous acquisition of MR and PET data, this system is designed to provide new opportunities for imaging. While MR provides exquisite morphological and functional details in human tissue, PET goes further to investigate the human body at the level of cellular activity and metabolism. The innovative system has the potential to be a particularly valuable tool for identifying neurologic, oncologic, and cardiac conditions of disease and in supporting the planning of appropriate therapies. Since MRI does not emit ionizing radiation, Biograph mMR may provide an added benefit with lower-dose imaging. The Biograph mMR also opens new opportunities for research, such as the development of new biomarkers or new therapeutic approaches.

"Biograph mMR is the latest breakthrough innovation of Siemens in the field of diagnostic imaging. It will be a new instrument for driving personalized medicine forward,” said Walter Maerzendorfer, CEO of the business unit magnetic resonance at Siemens Healthcare. "Biograph mMR is designed to simultaneously acquire morphology, function, and metabolism for the entire body,” added Britta Fuenfstueck, CEO of the business unit molecular imaging at Siemens Healthcare.

Siemens envisions a wide range of clinical applications for molecular MR including the early identification and staging of malignancies, therapy planning (including surgery planning), and therapy control.

The Biograph mMR incorporates Tim (total imaging matrix) technology from Siemens may make it even faster and easier for clinicians to perform the MR examination.

The Biograph mMR system requires 510(k) review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not commercially available.

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