Siemens Healthcare Kicks Off New Era of Expanded Access to High-Field MRI with First Install of Affordable MAGNETOM ESSENZA
February 11 2008 - 8:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Battlefield Imaging Expands MRI Capabilities, Increasing Diagnostic
Care to Meet Burgeoning Demand MALVERN, Pa., Feb. 11
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Looking to expand its imaging capacity
and range of services, Battlefield Imaging of Ringgold, Ga., has
become the first facility in the United States to install the
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system from Siemens Healthcare
(http://www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare) -- the MAGNETOM(R) ESSENZA.
The most affordable all new 1.5 Tesla (T) system on the market
today, the MAGNETOM ESSENZA is the premier choice for small
hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, or anyone else looking for a
cost-effective way to offer MRI services. "With a nationwide surge
in demand for MR imaging -- due to its ability to provide essential
diagnostic information across a range of clinical specialty areas
-- we have been unable to keep pace with the imaging demands of our
community," said Dr. John Nelson, medical director of Battlefield
Imaging. "Siemens introduction of the MAGNETOM ESSENZA is
especially important in today's changing reimbursement environment.
With MAGNETOM ESSENZA we were able to afford a new system, greatly
expanding access to imaging diagnostics and, ultimately, improving
patient care." Battlefield Imaging was built as a cutting-edge,
completely digital center from its inception, and offers all
aspects of diagnostic imaging services to include positron emission
tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Battlefield Imaging is a
freestanding, fully American College of Radiology (ACR)- accredited
imaging center, which has been recognized by Outpatient Care
Technology as the 2007 Imaging Center of Excellence. Along with
Siemens' MAGNETOM Espree, the addition of the MAGNETOM ESSENZA has
provided increased access to high-field MRI to the community, which
includes the primary service areas of Catoosa, Dade and Walker
counties -- serving more than 137,000 residents. About the MAGNETOM
ESSENZA The MAGNETOM ESSENZA combines high quality system
performance with a patient-friendly design at one of the lowest
total costs of ownership in the industry today. The magnet has
simple siteing requirements, is lightweight (approximately 3.5
tons), and has an ultra-short bore-length of 145 cm. Once
installed, the system is designed to provide an optimal operating
cost, which could save facilities as much as 50 percent on their MR
energy bill, compared with older systems.* Furthermore, the
system's advanced magnet design helps to ensure maximum product
uptime with a state-of-the-art zero helium boil-off magnet.
"Siemens developed the MAGNETOM ESSENZA specifically to provide
smaller hospitals and imaging centers with the opportunity to offer
high-field imaging to their patients," said Jeffrey Bundy, vice
president, Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
"What's more, the system also addresses the needs of clinicians, by
offering imaging strength, clarity, and overall efficiency designed
to improve a center's workflow and revenue stream." Due to its 1.5T
field strength, the MAGNETOM ESSENZA delivers outstanding image
quality that supports a complete range of clinical applications,
including neurology, orthopedics, body imaging, angiography,
cardiology, breast imaging, oncology, and pediatric imaging. At the
same time the automated workflow makes MAGNETOM ESSENZA simple to
learn and easy to use for less-experienced MR users. The high-field
strength can improve diagnostic confidence and the system's
powerful V-engine gradients (30 mT/m) and Tim(TM) (Total imaging
matrix) technology boost patient throughput. *Actual results may
vary; data on file. The MAGNETOM ESSENZA is the fourth 1.5T system
to join Siemens' product portfolio, which also includes the
MAGNETOM Avanto, the MAGNETOM Espree and the MAGNETOM Symphony.
Each system is tailored to fit the diverse needs of health care
providers, whether they are at large university or teaching
hospitals or small diagnostic imaging centers and community-based
facilities. About Siemens Healthcare Siemens Healthcare is one of
the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The
company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core
competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic
technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including
information technology and system integration. With its laboratory
diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare will be the first
fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and
lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology
solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens
Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care
-- from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and
care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and
operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30),
Siemens Healthcare reported sales of ?9.85 billion, orders of euro
10.27 billion, and group profit of euro 1.32 billion. Further
information can be found by visiting
http://www.siemens.com/healthcare DATASOURCE: Siemens Healthcare
CONTACT: Tom Schaffner of Siemens Healthcare, +1-610-448-1477, Web
site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical
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