With its patient-friendly design, the larger bore - or opening - of the Magnetom Espree’s makes it easier for larger patients as well as those with claustrophobia to undergo an MRI examination that also produces higher quality images, potentially reducing the need to repeat and interrupt examinations.

Yusuf Moosa, Siemens regional managing director of the Western and Eastern Cape region, says the Siemens 1.5T Magnetom Espree significantly reduces the stress associated with claustrophobia for orthopaedic and paediatric patients with its ability to capture high-field quality diagnostic images.

“The health-care industry is also challenged to accommodate larger patients with imaging systems that were designed for people who weigh much less, with the result that patients who are too large to fit inside the bore of a high-field MRI magnet have image studies done in open MRI systems with low-field magnets,” says Moosa. “This limits the diagnostic usefulness of the images obtained as the field strength of a magnet is measured in units of Tesla - the higher the number, the higher the field strength. Thus, the higher the field strength, the better the quality of images produced.”

The Siemens Healthcare Magnetom Espree installed at Doctors Schnetler and Partners features a bore opening of 70cm in diameter and 30cm of free space between a patient’s head and the magnet. The Espree also features the shortest 1.5 Tesla magnet available. At 125cm long, the shortest on the market, the magnet allows more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient’s head outside the bore, helping to ease claustrophobia.

“The claustrophobic effect of open bore MRI systems on patients also presents another challenge, and while patients can be sedated, this adds to their inconvenience and the time it takes to schedule and perform an exam,” says Moosa. “Due to the larger bore and shorter magnet, claustrophobic patients will now not need to be sedated before an examination.”

The new system provides up to four times more signal-to-noise ratio than that of traditional open MR designs, which is desirable when imaging larger patients. In addition, the Espree can perform advanced clinical applications in less time, because it combines strong gradient performance with Siemens’ Total imaging matrix (Tim) technology.

“Tim is the first whole body surface coil design that enables the highest resolution images in a shorter acquisition time. Tim coils are very light, making them both easy to position and tolerate when scanning larger patients, improving cooperation,” he says. “All in all, the Magnetom Espree provides the best patient comfort, high-quality images and superior diagnostic confidence for all types of patients.”

The Siemens Healthcare Sector

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the largest suppliers of healthcare technology worldwide. The company is a medical solution provider with core competences and innovative strengths in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as knowledge processing, including information technology and system integration. With its acquisitions in laboratory diagnostics, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company that combines imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy solutions and medical information technology and also supplements these with consultation and services. Siemens Healthcare offers solutions for the entire supply chain under one roof - from prevention and early detection to diagnosis and on to treatment and aftercare. In addition, Siemens Healthcare is the world market leader for innovative hearing instruments. The company employs some 49,000 employees worldwide and is present in more than 130 countries. During fiscal 2008 (ending on September 30), Siemens Healthcare achieved a total sales volume of 11.17 billion euros and incoming orders totaling 11.78 billion euros. The Sector profit from operations amounted to €1.23 billion (preliminary figures). For more information, go to: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

About Siemens Southern Africa:

Siemens has had a presence in South Africa since 1860 when the company installed the first telegraph line linking Cape Town and Simon’s Town. Today, Siemens offers a balanced portfolio of technologies focusing on the Industry, Energy and Healthcare sectors, together with the cross-sector business of Siemens IT Solutions and Services. The unique ability to offer horizontal, customised, end-to-end technology solutions enables Siemens to keep its customers one-step ahead. As a committed corporate citizen, Siemens has active corporate social investment programmes as well as a comprehensive approach to local content, manpower development, skills and training. Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.co.za