We’ve missed it last month (despite our extensive IDEA Awards coverage), but this MRI system from GE Healthcare has received a Bronze Medal in the 2007 Industrial Designers Society of America competition. The system, that sports a modest 1.5 Tesla, is designed specifically for small clinical facilities: outpatient centers, small hospitals, and, possibly, individual offices. The company says that this MR is so reasonably priced, that less than 5 patients a day (insured, of course!) will make the system profitable.
The following is from the Industrial Designers Society of America statement:
The design particularly addresses the desire to target space-limited markets, such as Asia, with a smaller footprint, simpler installation and complete upgradeability. Installation time has been decreased by 50 percent, requiring only one worker and two tools. The new enclosure design can accommodate older systems without changing magnets, a significant factor since 50 percent of systems sold are upgrades. Its aesthetic is fresh and patient friendly, yet timeless enough to withstand the typical installation periods of between 5 and 15 years. New multi-language controls increase global ease of use and patient safety.
For more details, head on to product home page, or check this .pdf brochure…
2007 Bronze IDEA Winner: Signa HDe 1.5T MR Diagnostic Imaging System …
GE Healthcare press release…