MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Medical Solutions
introduces a new technology that will dramatically change and improve Magnetic
Resonance (MR) imaging. Total imaging matrix technology, dubbed Tim(TM), is
the first seamless, whole body surface coil design that combines 76 seamlessly
integrated coil elements with up to 32 RF Channels, opening the door to the
most advanced clinical applications available today. MAGNETOM(R) Avanto, the
first MR system based on Tim technology, will be unveiled at the 89th
Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North
America (RSNA), Nov. 30 - Dec. 5 (Booth # 1929) in Chicago, IL.
Tim provides significantly improved workflow by virtually eliminating the
need for patient repositioning and manual coil changes, while providing
significantly enhanced image quality. Tim's surface coil design makes true
205 cm (6'9") whole body imaging possible in a single exam, while other
systems require the radiologist to change coils and reposition the patient
three times for a whole body MR imaging procedure. As a result, image quality
is increased by up to 100 percent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and acquisition
times are shortened.
"Innovation of this caliber is a trademark of Siemens," said Dr. Erich R.
Reinhardt, president and chief executive officer of Siemens Medical Solutions.
"We were the first to introduce Integrated Panoramic Array (IPA) to the MR
market in 1998, many years ahead of our competition. Now in 2003, we are
again making a significant contribution to the medical community that only
Siemens can offer."
Tim has 76 integrated coil elements, up to 32 channels [76x32], and its
integrated coil weighs less than two pounds. It also features Siemens unique
iPAT (integrated Parallel Acquisition Technique), which offers fast image
acquisition with parallel imaging in all dimensions, including head to toe,
front to back, and side to side.
Tim allows radiologists to select exams, not coils, and provides the
highest acquisition speed without image artifacts or restrictions in coverage,
giving radiologists the opportunity to conduct advanced applications, such as
metastasis evaluation.
"Tim is to MR what multi-slice technology was to CT, so the impact on
workflow and application options will really be quite substantial," said
Heinrich Kolem, president of the MR Division of Siemens Medical Solutions.
"The introduction of Tim sets Siemens Medical Solutions two generations ahead
in MR imaging."
The Tim Application Suite includes a comprehensive set of clinical
applications, including Neuro, Angio, Cardiac, Body, Oncology, Orthopedic, and
Pediatric. These suites are optimized for Tim and contained in the basic
configuration of any Tim system. The first Tim installation is currently in
progress at New York University Medical Center. The facility will complete
installation of the MAGNETOM Avanto later this month.
MAGNETOM Avanto
The MAGNETOM Avanto, Siemens newest high-end 1.5 Tesla MR system,
incorporates Tim - the first seamless, whole body surface coil design and RF
technology. The Avanto offers many advantages over other systems, such as
97 percent acoustic noise reduction, without compromising image quality. The
system also provides seamless metastasis evaluation, whole CNS imaging and
visualization of vascular diseases, and less stressful procedures due to
shorter times and feet-first exams.
In addition, the Avanto also features workflow automation tools such as
Phoenix(TM) software that allows clinicians to transfer protocol for medical
images from a CD, making it possible to initiate a scan directly from the
image. Clinicians always have a reference available so they can duplicate a
protocol or follow a patient over time by performing an identical study
without having to re-enter protocol parameters.
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in
Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers
to the healthcare industry in the world. The company reported sales of
7.4 billion EUR, orders of 7.8 billion EUR and group profit of 1.1 billion EUR
for fiscal 2003. More information can be found at
http://www.usa.siemens.com/medicalpressroom.
**Photography Available Upon Request**
SOURCE Siemens Medical Solutions
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Related links:
http://www.usa.siemens.com/medicalpressroom
CONTACT:
Amanda Naiman of Stern + Associates,
+1-908-276-4344 or amanda@sternassociates.com, for Siemens
Medical Solutions
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