HOUSTON, Dec. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- United Imaging, a global leader in advanced medical imaging and radiotherapy equipment, has begun unveiling new technology and strategic collaborations that showcase significant commitment to U.S. market growth.

The company had already announced an agreement just prior to the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) to launch the country's first-ever mobile digital PET/CT scanner.[1] Today, it unveiled a new MR system called the uMR Omega* that offers the world's first ultra-wide 75-cm bore, the widest on the market.[2] The U.S. will be the first market to receive the uMR Omega, underscoring United Imaging's significant investment to provide access to high-quality imaging to all patients in this country.

"We continuously push the envelope of MR technology, and with the introduction of this product, we set a new benchmark for future clinical MR systems," said Steve Tan, CEO, Imaging & Treatment Business Group, United Imaging. "MRI has suffered from a poor patient experience, given the limited scanner space and weight capacity. uMR Omega will help imaging providers open access to more patients who need an MRI."
The past decade has seen increased focus on patient experience, including bore size, exam speed, and in-bore entertainment. However, access to critically important MRI remains limited for those who need it. About 5-7% of the population is estimated to be claustrophobic, and one study showed that up to 13% of patients receiving an MRI reported having a panic attack during the procedure.[3] A greater number suffer significant anxiety or disorientation when in an enclosed space during the medical exam. This anxiety can limit their desire to seek or successfully complete an MRI study. Small bore size plays a key role in how patients perceive the experience.

In addition, obesity rates continue to rise, here in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S. alone, the obesity rate is approaching 40 percent after holding around 34-35 percent between 2005 and 2012.[4] In addition, individuals labeled as "extremely obese" currently make up 8% of the population, a number that continues to grow. The bore size, table weight capacity, and scanner capabilities of current MR devices limit access for broad-shouldered and bariatric patients.

"Think about the experience of being in a middle seat in economy on an airplane versus first class," commented Jeffrey Bundy, CEO, UIH Solutions. "There is a big difference in how you feel when your knees touch the seat in front of you, and your elbows touch the passengers next to you, and you can't get up from your seat -- as opposed to how you feel with even an extra inch on all sides. Five centimeters is a huge difference on an airplane. Add the anxiety of a medical procedure and uncertainty about your health, and the feeling is even more significant in the context of an exam."

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