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Patients from Essex and surrounding areas can now benefit from a more relaxing experience at Spire Hartswood Hospital, following the recent installation of a MAGNETOM Avanto 1.5T MRI from Siemens Healthcare.

The Avanto will provide permanent scanning facilities with more flexible appointments.

The short bore MAGNETOM Avanto MRI scanner provides high resolution imaging to assist with clinical diagnosis as well as offering a comfortable open examination environment for patients. Spire Hartswood Hospital is currently using the system for general imaging including musculoskeletal and neurological examinations, but hopes to expand procedures to include breast MRI and angiography shortly.

“MRI scans can sometimes cause concern for our patients. This was particularly true when we had our mobile unit in place. The Avanto’s inviting open design has helped to create a more relaxed scanning environment,” said Gary Dunnell, Lead MRI Radiographer at Spire Hartswood Hospital. “Its short magnet means that it is not as large or intimidating as patients imagine and consequently reactions have been very positive. With a permanent system we can now offer continuity to our patients returning for future scans.”

“The MAGNETOM Avanto is a highly flexible and adaptive MRI solution,” said Vince Golledge, Regional Sales and Corporate Business Manager at Siemens Healthcare. “Hartswood is one of six Spire sites that have purchased this system with a view to benefiting from the Avanto’s high image quality and rapid scanning capabilities.”

Siemens’ Tim (Total Imaging Matrix) technology offers the flexibility for high resolution seamless scans of up to 205cm without the need for patient repositioning or coil changes. Its AudioComfort feature results in up to 97% reduction in acoustic noise without compromising gradient performance. With its short bore and a low table position of just 47cm, the Avanto also provides a more relaxing experience for patients feeling claustrophobic or intimidated.

About Siemens Healthcare
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €11.2 billion, orders of €11.8 billion, and Sector profit of €1.2 billion.

Source: Siemens Healthcare