A new MR-generation, T-Class technology was shown by Siemens Medical Solutions at the European Congress for Radiology (ECR) 2007 in Vienna, Austria: syngo Tim CT. Worldwide it is now possible for the first time to do an MR-scan with continuous table movement.

Syngo TimCT, Continuous Table Move, powered by Tim, is going to change the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging fundamentally. In an analogous way in the late 80ies the introduction of the spiral-CT changed computed tomography (CT) -- now and then Siemens presented itself as a trendsetter regarding the introduction of new technologies. For the first time, T-class with syngo TimCT continuously scans patients from head to toe as it does in Computed Tomography. During the examination, the table moves continuously through the magnet. First and foremost, syngo TimCT improves the workflow. Prior to this technology, pelvic/leg angiography, for example, was performed step-by-step. This required more time than continuous table movement. Depending on the patient's symptoms, examinations need to be performed of various locations in the body. The greater the number of individual work steps, the more intricate and error-prone the examination. But syngo TimCT reduces the number of work steps for a pelvic/leg angiography by 50 percent. This saves time and also reduces costs while increasing diagnostic safety. At the same time syngo TimCT improves the image quality as the body region just being scanned is in the center of the magnet. Here the measurement results produce the highest level of quality.

Previously, images of different body regions were generated in individual sections and subsequently combined through data processing. This led to longer examination times for the patient. Today, however, the patient can be examined with syngo TimCT and continuous table move. Not more than one scan is required for a seamless image. "The first scans already showed us the potential of this technology. Especially with diseases of the vessels or tumors, we see tremendous improvements in the workflow", says Jörg Barkhausen, (MD) senior physician of radiology at the University Clinic Essen, the site of the first system.
Essen has already discovered a number of advantages offered by the new technology, others will undergo closer examination. "We are certain that syngo TimCT will lead to new applications as well," explains Britta Funfstuck, responsible for the product launch at magnetic resonance division at Siemens Medical Solutions. "We consider angiography, where the image accurately follows the contrast agent bolus through the body, as a possible area of application." The new technology would allow to move the patient at a variable speed optimal for his disease pattern.

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