11/28/1999
For Immediate Release
HITACHI CONTINUES TO ENHANCE PERFORMANCE OF EARLIER OPEN SYSTEMS WITH NEW SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
CONTACT:
Sheldon Schaffer
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.
1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106
330.425.1313
330.425.1410 FAX
info@hitachimed.com
www.hitachimed.com
Chicago, Illinois - November 28, 1999 - Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) is demonstrating new software for its AIRIS® and MRP-7000® open-style magnetic resonance (MR) imaging systems at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting being held this week in Chicago. The new version 6.0 software further enhances the clinical and operating performance of both systems. Hitachi has established a leadership position in Open MR with more than 800 systems installed throughout the United States and nearly 2,000 worldwide.
"Hitachi’s policy of continuing to support our products long after they are designed has contributed greatly to our high level of customer satisfaction and loyalty," stated Sheldon Schaffer, Vice President and General Manager of MR products at HMSA. "With the new version 6.0 software, customers are able to expand their clinical capabilities, offering referring physicians and patients many of the latest clinical techniques."
Version 6.0 software introduces new pulse sequence capabilities, such as contrast enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA), to better visualize vascular structures throughout the body and dual echo gradient echo for acquiring dual contrast in a single acquisition. In addition, enhancements to current pulse sequences improve fat suppression for MR cholangiography. The minimum field-of-view for T1- and T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo imaging has been reduced to 150mm for high-resolution orthopedic imaging. Slice thickness has also been reduced to 3mm for dual slice gradient echo sequences, which allows users the flexibility to scan a wider range of anatomy. Version 6.0 software for AIRIS and MRP-7000 systems is pending FDA 510(k) clearance and is targeted for commercial release in the summer of 2000.
On the hardware side, Hitachi introduced a new quadrature shoulder coil for AIRIS and MRP-7000 users, which greatly increases the depth of penetration with improved uniformity and signal to noise for superior image quality over a wide anatomical area. Commercial release is pending FDA 510(k) clearance.
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) markets the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging products of Hitachi Medical Corporation (HMC), Tokyo, Japan. These include the AIRISâ and AIRIS II 0.3T Open-Air permanent magnet and the CELERISTM,1.5T short-bore high-field system. HMSA has established itself as a major provider of magnetic resonance imaging systems in the United States. Hitachi has also entered the U.S. X-Ray market with unique technology including the VA100 360-degree rotational angiographic system and the VersiFlexä that performs both R&F and angiographic procedures in a single system. Both products are designed to meet the growing trend toward minimally invasive procedures and shorten exam times when compared to traditional systems.
