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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.