Dive Brief:
- Siemens Healthineers said FDA cleared its latest 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner with a number of advances to reduce variations in patient imaging, shorten scan times by as much as 46%, and decrease the need for rescans.
- The Magnetom Sola scanner incorporates technology that adjusts for patient anatomical and physiological differences and variations in how users set up and conduct MRI exams.
- An in-bore camera system allows the operator to monitor the patient’s face, while new sensing technology speeds cardiac and liver exams and enables imaging of patients who cannot reliably hold their breath, Siemens said.
Dive Insight:
The MRI market is dominated by manufacturers Siemens, GE Healthcare and Philips. The global market is expected to be worth $5.6 billion by 2025, with rapid growth driven by an increased focus on early disease diagnosis as well as a rising number of road accidents, according to Grand View Research.
Among MRI systems, the 1.5T scanner is considered the standard, though 3T systems with a magnetic field that is twice the strength have been introduced that offer increased image clarity. Canon Medical Systems, formerly Toshiba Medical Systems, earlier this year launched a new 1.5T MRI system as one of its first product releases since Canon acquired the business.
Siemens said the Magnetom Sola machine incorporates its BioMatrix technology whose sensors can determine the correct exam strategy by assessing a patient’s anatomical and physiological characteristics, thereby decreasing the need for rescans. Distortion-mitigation software and hardware improve the scan quality of head, neck and spine. The system also uses artificial intelligence and body modeling to expedite patient positioning and produce consistent results.
A cardiovascular edition is also available.
