Philips Panorama High Field Open

Comfortable, high field open MRI

Our Panorama high field Open MRI appeals to both patients and referring physicians alike with it’s wide-open design, high image quality, large field of view and broad coverage of clinical applications. Thanks to it’s unique features, the Panorama HFO provides the potential for you to attract more patients and increase your referral area.

 

The Panorama HFO provides a 360-degree panoramic viewing angle and spacious 160 cm-wide patient aperture ensuring a comfortable, relaxing MRI experience for anxious, elderly, obese or claustrophobic patients.

 

While covering all routine applications, it is especially ideal for orthopedic, pediatric and bariatric imaging. The wide-open patient space allows you to explore new clinical applications such as biopsy procedures and kinematic joint studies.

 

High Field Performance comparable to 1.5T in a truly open configuration

• Solenoid Technology coils
  • Superb coverage and comfort
  • High SNR
  • Fully SENSE compatible
  • Excellent homogeneity
• 1.5T signal, 1.0T contrast for minimal susceptibility and distortion
• SmartExam – One click to consistent and reproducible MRI exams
  • One click for planning, scanning and processing
  • 100% consistency and reproducibility
  • Covers over 75% of examinations
  • Brain, Knee, Shoulder and Spine capabilities
• ExamCards automate the most complex studies
• Clinical performance in all applications

 

Preferred by Patients

• 72% of patients prefer the Panorama over any cylindrical system*
• Ambient Experience further boosts preference
• Preference represents value
• Ability to market your practice directly to the patient
• Source: GfK Panelservices Benelux

 

 

Going Beyond the Bore  Area of interest can always be placed at iso-center Uncompromised fat-sat Fewer motion artifacts Virtually any patient, any position No coils necessary for the most challenging patients Sideways scanning is no issue Open line of sight – always Reduced need for sedation Visual contact w/loved ones always intact Unlimited accessibility Real-time scanning & viewing Patient can remain in scanner Reduced need for repositioning Fast, accurate scanning

Hitachi Oasis 1.2 Tesla open MRI

I have worked on the Aries II this looks like a high field version of that scanner if anyone has Experience with this scanner please post a comment. Good or bad. Thanks

http://www.oasismri.com/

OASIS™  featured on National Medical Report   OASIS™ provides maximum diagnostic performance and uncompromised patient comfort. Combining high-performance MR electronics of the best high-field equipment — fast gradients and multi-channel RF technology with Hitachi-designed Zenith RF coils — with Hitachi’s proprietary 1.2T open architecture vertical-field magnet, Oasis is a new generation of MR systems providing diagnostic confidence, patient comfort and investment value. Oasis supports demanding workflow, features Hitachi’s legendary reliability, is easy to learn and use, and provides powerful differentiating features for you MR imaging services.          Specifications RADAR™ Technology HOAST™ Technology RT Image Magazine Oasis Article Image Gallery

 

 

The Oasis Patient Experience

The OASIS Patient Experience Hitachi is the innovator in patient-friendly MR. Now OASIS™ brings our unique patient-centered philosophy to high-field MRI.  Oasis delivers an unobstructed angle to put even difficult patients at ease. That means decreased scan time and quality images — a truly superior patient experience. Everything  improves with a comfortable patient. A Patient’s view in a typical MRI      The unobstructed view from OASIS™     If you are a patient click here to see what OASIS™ can do for you Oasis_MR_Patient.PDF     If you are a referring physician click here for information on MRI and OASIS™ Oasis_Diagnostic_Edge.pdf If you are a radiologist or technologist click here to learn more about the capabilities and advantages of OASIS™ http://www.hitachimed.com/contentindex.asp?ID=1744

Words of Wisdom

In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by.

- Lucille Ball

Please listen to the voice of 12,000 patients.

 

 

The European Organisation for Rare Diseases, EURORDIS, is a patient-driven alliance of patient organisations and individuals active in the field of rare diseases. Eurordis’ mission is to build a strong pan-European community of patient organisations and people living with rare diseases, to be their voice at the European level, and – directly or indirectly – to fight against the impact of rare diseases on their lives. To this end, Eurordis undertakes activities on behalf of its members, notably in favour of:   Empowering rare disease patient groups    Advocating rare diseases as a public health issue    Raising public rare disease awareness, and also that of national and international institutions    Improving access to information, treatment, care, and support for people living with rare diseases    Encouraging good practices in relation to these    Promoting scientific and clinical rare disease research    Developing rare disease treatments and orphan drugs    Improving quality of life through patient support, social, welfare and educational services Author: Eurordis Editor: Eurordis Photos: pills © www.freeimages.co.uk ; Cells affected by multiple myeloma (Mott cell) © University of Virginia Health System ; student © United Kingdom Literacy Association 06/2007

 

DOWNLOAD the entire book (pdf):

 

 

Rare diseases are often chronic, progressive, degenerative, life-threatening and disabling diseases. Many rare disease patients are denied their right to the highest attainable standard of health and continue to advocate their need to overcome common obstacles. Through the publication of this book, “The Voice of 12,000 Patients”, the patient’s perspective can go beyond patients’ anecdotes and be additionally represented by the analysis of data collected through theEurordisCare2 and EurordisCare3 surveys. These surveys investigated patients’ experiences and expectations regarding access to diagnosis and to health services, for a variety of significantly relevant rare diseases across Europe.   SOURCE

DOWNLOAD the book by section (pdf): DOWNLOADIntroduction DOWNLOADMethods  DOWNLOADResults of EurordisCare2 DOWNLOADResults of EurordisCare3  Results by Disease Results by country DOWNLOADAlternating hemiplegia  DOWNLOADAniridia  DOWNLOADAtaxia  DOWNLOADChromosome 11 disorders  DOWNLOADCrohn’s disease  DOWNLOADCystic Fibrosis  DOWNLOADDuchenne Muscular Dystrophy  DOWNLOADEhlers Danlos Syndrome  DOWNLOADEpidermolysis bullosa  DOWNLOADFragile X syndrome  DOWNLOADHuntington’s disease DOWNLOADMarfan syndrome  DOWNLOADMyasthenia gravis  DOWNLOADOsteogenesis imperfecta  DOWNLOADPrader Willi syndrome  DOWNLOADPulmonary arterial hypertension  DOWNLOADTuberous sclerosis  DOWNLOADWilliams Syndrome      DOWNLOADAustria DOWNLOADBelgium DOWNLOADCroatia DOWNLOADCyprus DOWNLOADCzeck Republic DOWNLOADDenmark DOWNLOADFinland DOWNLOADFrance DOWNLOADGermany DOWNLOADGreece DOWNLOADHungary DOWNLOADIreland DOWNLOADItaly DOWNLOAD Luxembourg DOWNLOADNetherlands DOWNLOADNorway DOWNLOADPoland DOWNLOADPortugal DOWNLOADRomania DOWNLOADSlovakia DOWNLOADSpain DOWNLOADSweden DOWNLOADSwitzerland DOWNLOADUK DOWNLOADConclusions DOWNLOADAppendix     DOWNLOAD the Executive Summary Executive Summary (ENG) Executive Summary (IT) Executive Summary (ES) Executive Summary (PT) Executive Summary (DE) Executive Summary (FR)   02/2009

The MRI LIE Detector Who is safe? NO LIE – CEPHOS

they sure look guilty

So, here’s the question , should politicians be subjected to the MRI lie detector? It has started to make some noise in the MRI community. Should we be using FMRI for its lie detector ability?

. 

For 5,000 dollars, a computer will scan your brain several times while asking you a series of banal yes or no questions: Do you live in Texas? Is it 2009? It will also ask you one important question, such as: Did you burn down the shop? Or, have you cheated on your spouse? Shortly thereafter, it will spit out two numbers. And the creators of the test insist that those two numbers will determine if, when you answered the serious question, you were lying.

This method of lie detection, which relies on brain scans rather than a racing heart, still hasn’t gained widespread support among mainstream neuroscientists or the legal community. But two companies, Cephos Corporation in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, and No Lie MRI in San Diego,California, are already marketing it to clients, at a time when many experts worry about the technique’s accuracy in detecting real-life lies, as opposed to the fibs conjured up by study volunteers in experiments. And even if the test is reliable, experts question whether the results of this sort of mind reading should be admissible in court.

 

 

 

 

But many neuroscientists and legal scholars say the evidence isn’t ready for the courtroom. Judy Illes, a neuroethicist at the University of British Columbiain Vancouver, calls the companies “premature” and says “I don’t think we have the scientific evidence yet to be selling fMRI for the kind of applications they are supporting. . . . It’s a tall order to be able to sell results.”

Cephos’ test relies on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a technology that measures changes in blood flow to different areas of the brain over time. Working neurons require more oxygen and thus more blood, just as working muscles do, so by tracking blood flow, fMRI shows which areas of the brain are most active at any particular moment.

Many fMRI studies have concluded that a few key areas of the brain are more active during deception than truth-telling. These include the anterior cingulate cortex, which is involved in attention and monitoring processes, and the left dorsolateral and right anterior prefrontal cortices, areas of executive function involved in working memory and behavioral control.

If prosecutors try to get the results of fMRI lie detection tests admitted into court, they can expect a challenge based on the Constitution’s ban on self-incriminating testimony, according to Kenneth Foster, a bioengineer who is also associated with the University of Pennsylvania’s neuroethics program.

“Legally, is having a brain scan similar to a urine sample or similar to testifying?” Foster asks. If it’s considered testimony, then defendants could challenge it by citing their Fifth Amendment rights. “This kind of dilemma has to be solved soon because it’ll make a big difference in the way courts see the admissibility of this evidence.”

 

words of wisdom

A man may learn wisdom even from a foe. – Aristophanes

Kavala Greece

Toshiba America Medical Contrast Free MRA’s

I hope someone outhere has some experience with one of these Toshiba units and can contact me. I would love to see some real images from actual patients, but these will have to do for now. These are from the Toshiba website. It’s a great idea to be able to  get these images without giving Gadolinium. 

With a unique combination of outstanding homogeneity, a 71 cm aperture, largest clinical FOV (55×55×50cm) and a 1.5T ultra-short, open-bore, Vantage Titan™ provides outstanding image quality without compromise.

» Learn more

Vantage Atlas:

Our 1.5T ultra-short bore plus our Atlas coil technology provides you better workflow, in addition to outstanding image quality.

» Learn more

MRI Safety

What is contrast? Is an MRI procedure safe? Are non-contrast images just as good? Discover these answers and additional information about safety in MRI procedures.

Click here to learn more

 non conctrast

 

 

Parrish Medical Center Earns National Spirit of Women Premier Hospital Designation

TITUSVILLE, FLA, March 2, 2009— Parrish Medical Center (PMC) announced today that the Spirit of Women Health Network has designated PMC as a Spirit of Women Premier Hospital. This designation was based on an evaluation using the National Standards of Excellence in Women’s Health, which measure clinical excellence in women’s health care and community outreach. Spirit of Women Health Network developed the standards in educational cooperation with the Office of Women’s Health and Department of Health and Human Service (DHHS).

“Few hospitals in our country, and even the world, recognize how to provide appropriate and preventive medical care and educational services for women,” said Tanya Abreu, president and national program director, Spirit of Women Health Network. “Parrish Medical Center is one of a very small number of facilities in our country that provides exceptional women-centered medical care, and as a result will be identified as a community accelerator for women’s health excellence in the United States.”

As part of a comprehensive evaluation process, PMC demonstrated innovation and excellence in women’s programming across the board and earned the designation as a Premier Hospital by meeting 100 percent of the standards and earning an overall perfect score. The Premier Hospital designation is earned by hospitals that meet or exceed at least 80 percent of the standards. The National Standards of Excellence in Women’s Health require focus on women-centered care, call-to-action education, and access to care in the following seven areas:

1. Integration of a focused community assessment

2. Implementation of comprehensive life stage programming

3. Sensitivity to community diversity and cultural differences

4. Strategic alignment of women’s service lines

5. Leading innovation and outreach initiatives

6. Managing a process for quality improvement

7. Multidisciplinary approach to care

PMC President/CEO George Mikitarian said, “We are proud to share this honor with our community led Women’s Health Advisory Board who have advocated for innovative women’s health initiatives and have helped to guide the medical center’s success in exceeding the national best-practice standards for excellence in women’s health.” 

“It is most rewarding to be nationally recognized for programs we believe are so important for the community,” added Patricia Manning, EdD, member of the Parrish Medical Center Board of Directors and founding member of the Parrish Women’s Health Advisory Board. “This honor is particularly meaningful as Spirit of Women is in an ideal position to assess the range and scope of health issues facing American women today,” said Dr. Manning. 

Spirit of Women is a national network of leading hospitals dedicated to improving women’s lives with innovative health and community programs. Spirit of Women hospitals touch the lives of millions of women each year through the presentation of educational events, consumer membership programs, annual conferences, marketing communications and grass roots efforts to improve the health and well-being of women everywhere. The initiative enables participating hospitals to focus on community needs while providing the strength of national support. Please visit www.spiritofwomen.com for additional information.

Parrish Medical Center is a nationally recognized industry leader having earned a number of prestigious recognitions including America’s #1 Healing Hospital, Modern Healthcare’s Spirit of Excellence Award for Service, National Spirit of Women Premier Hospital, Commission on Cancer Accreditation with Commendation, and more Joint Commission disease-specific Gold Seal® certifications than all but one other hospital in Florida. For more information, visit parrishmed.com or call 321-268-6110.

Philips Shares Results of New Medical Imaging Technology MPI

Netherlands-based Royal Phlips Electronics has released the first 3D imaging results obtained with a new imaging technology called Magnetic Particle Imaging, which uses the magnetic properties of iron-oxide nanoparticles injected into the bloodstream.

In a report published in issue 54 of Physics in Medicine and Biology, findings of the pre-clinical study show that the technology was able to generate unprecedented real-time images of cardiovascular activity, including arterial blood flow and volumetric heart motion.

The company, in a statement, said the results are a “major step forward in taking Magnetic Particle Imaging from a theoretical concept to an imaging tool to help improve diagnosis and therapy planning for many of the world’s major diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and cancer.”

“A novel non-invasive cardiac imaging technology is required to further unravel and characterize the disease processes associated with atherosclerosis, in particular those associated with vulnerable plaque formation which is a major risk factor for stroke and heart attacks,” said Valentin Fuster, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Mount Sinai Heart Center, N.Y. “Through its combined speed, resolution and sensitivity, Magnetic Particle Imaging technology has great potential for this application, and the latest in-vivo imaging results represent a major breakthrough.”

During MPI, the magnetic properties of injected iron-oxide nanoparticles measure the nanoparticle concentration in the blood. A background signal is not present because the human body contains no naturally occurring magnetic materials visible to MPI. According to the report, nanoparticles appear as bright signals in the images after injection, therefore enabling the calculation of nanoparticle concentrations.

MPI combines high spatial resolution with short image acquisition times, lasting as short as 1/50th of a second, according to Philips.  The technology can capture dynamic concentration changes as the nanoparticles are swept along by the blood stream, representing a major step toward the development of whole-body systems for use on humans.

Technical challenges include scaling up the system related to the magnetic field generation required for human applications, as well as measuring and processing extremely weak signals emitted by the nanoparticles. Source (http://www.imagingeconomics.com/news/2009-03-05_01.asp)