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House Passes Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act Advocacy groups applaud passage of bill that would permanently repeal and replace SGR.

Clinical PET-MRI Moves Closer to Reality Thanks to a European grant for the HyperIMAGE project, a consortium of scientists across Europe have worked with Philips to develop a proof-of-concept, pre-clinical combined MR-PET scanner that could one day lead to improved radiation therapy and cardiology treatments.

Scientists Find Unusual Immune System Activity in Brains of Schizophrenics The "germ theory" of schizophrenia got a mild boost this week as scientists discover that recently afflicted schizophrenics show higher levels of inflammatory proteins in the brain.

Aural Trumps Oral for Ear Treatment A novel microfluidic drug delivery system makes it possible to reach parts of the body poorly served by oral and injectable medications.

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RSNA 2009 Preview This year's RSNA should provide a very interesting look at the effects of the economy on the major OEMs. As always, vendors are whipping up the hoopla, and inside this story are great previews of what's being debuted. But DOTmed reporters will also be there to get the real buzz. Look for video interviews in our Online News direct from the show.

Interview With Fred Robertson, President & CEO of TomoTherapy TomoTherapy president and CEO Fred Robertson talks with DOTmed about his perspective on ASTRO's 2009 annual meeting, changes in the radiation oncology industry and two important TomoTherapy product launches that occurred at the show. Watch the HD video.

Health Care Reform Round-Up: CBO Pegs Senate Bill at $849 Billion The numbers are in on the Senate's version of reform. Also read about the wide-ranging impact that the legislation would have.

Pen-Sized Microscope Aims for Precise Brain Surgeries A confocal microscope picking up brain-safe fluorescent dyes could result in more accurate and streamlined surgeries to remove tumors from the brain.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Has Stunning New Guidelines on Mammography Agency recommends no routine screening for women 40-49, no self-examination. Read the details.

The Siemens Magnetom
Essenza is priced
as much as $500,000
below similar
1.5 Tesla systems.

Siemens Introduces Low-Cost 1.5T MRI

by Jean B. Grillo, Reporter
Siemens Medical Solutions is introducing an innovative and affordable high-field MRI system targeted to meet the needs of hospitals and medical practices looking to offer complete diagnostic care within a limited budget. The FDA-approved technology promises to open up access to diagnostic care previously unavailable in many communities.

The Magnetom Essenza is a customized 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) priced as much as $500,000 below similar 1.5 Tesla systems, making it the least expensive of the new 1.5T brands. The company is also offering its new Tim (Total Imaging Matrix) technology at a much lower price than before. Tim offers physicians all the standard clinical applications with enhanced image quality in which the patient is covered with up to 25 seamlessly integrated coil elements.

"Magnetom Essenza will make MR imaging attainable for hospitals and practices that up to this time simply could not afford to provide these services to their patients, at least not to the extent and in the quality necessary," notes Walter Marzendorfer, head of the Magnetic Resonance Division, Siemens Medical Solutions.

Another Siemens offering, IsoCenter Matrix is installed at the center of the magnet to ensure correct patient position and faster throughput. (Technologists will no longer need to carry a spine coil. The IsoCenter Matrix coil can also be used in flexible combinations with anterior coils and works as a 140 cm coil in multi-step exams to avoid tedious repositioning.)

In addition to its low initial investment, Magnetom Essenza cites savings of up to 25 percent on installation costs for space, power requirements and construction due to its light weight (3.5-ton) magnet which makes it possible to install the system on higher floors of a hospital or imaging facility. If the system is replacing an existing MR system, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 50 percent due to high-performance electronics. Since the state-of-the-art magnet has zero helium boil-off, there is no need to regularly refill this expensive substance, maximizing uptime while cutting maintenance costs.

Another new feature is the Focus Shoulder Array for optimum imaging of the shoulder. The MRI system also has a shorter length than most conventional 1.5Ts, allowing the head and feet of the patient to remain outside the system in most cases, making for a more pleasant examination for the patient.

According to Siemens' estimates, over 60 percent of the MRI systems sold worldwide in 2007 will be 1.5 Tesla systems. The Essenza will be the fourth 1.5T system to join Siemens' product portfolio, which also includes the MAGNETOM Avanto, the MAGNETOM Espree and the MAGNETOM Symphony.



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