Open MRI System Combines Patient Comfort And High-Quality Images diagnostic tool that allows medical professionals to quickly see and diagnose injuries and illness in the spine, brain, joints and abdomen as well as soft tissue areas. Unfortunately, most traditional [|= | = =~ 4 (NAPSA)—Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important => MRIs require patients to spend up to 45 minutes inside a long, hollow tube. And approximately one-third of patients undergoing MRI for A new open MRI system can be a more comfortable option for chil- anxiety because of claustrophobia. This can be especially troublesome for young children, who cannot see their parents during the procedure. In addition, very large people may not fit inside the tube, making it impossible for doctors to image them atall. Now there is an MRI system that solves these challenges. Developed by Philips Medical Systems, the Panorama 1.0T highfield open MRIis open on all sides, but includes features that ensure the resulting pictures are on par with the best closed systems available today. The system allows medical professionals to image anyone who needs an MRI while producing the high-quality images they need to make fast, accurate diagnoses. “This system really eliminates issue,” said Dr. Garey McLellan, medical director, Nevada Imaging Center, Las Vegas, NV. “My patients relax as soon as they walk into the room and see how open the system is and I know [ll have the best imagepossible.” Consider the case of 13-yearold Haleigh Godin. For several months, Haleigh experienced headachesthat affected her grades and family life. To diagnose her the first time experience severe all of the limitations of MRI. Pre- viously, we had to compromise be- tween getting a perfect image on a closed system or being able to image claustrophobic, young or very large patients on standard open systems. Now it’s not an dren or those with claustrophobia. condition, her doctors recom- mended she undergo an MRI. However, she couldn’t bear to experience a traditional MRI due to claustrophobia. Instead, Haleigh was among the first to be imaged with the new Philips system. Not only did the resulting image show a normal brain scan (good news!), but she experienced no anxiety during her procedure. “I felt very calm. It was great—nobig deal at all,” she said. For more information about MRI or the new Panorama sys- tem, visit www.mri.philips.com or call (800) 285-5585.
