The MRI seems like an important goal for many patients with a variety of ailments — a goal, that is, until they have to slide into one, at which point the MRI becomes less of a prize and more of a claustrophobic torture (and echo) chamber. That’s slowly changing, however, as Toshiba last week displayed its latest 3 Tesla MRI system at the Radiological Society of North America’s annual meeting. The Vantage Titan, which is currently on FDA’s track for regulatory approval, features a large 71 cm bore and is laterally shorter than other comparable machines. This should help many with feelings of claustrophobia and allows, ahem, “larger” patients to enter the bore.
More about the Vantage Titan from the press release:
The system includes Toshiba’s exclusive Pianissimo™ noise-reduction technology, which reduces exam noise by up to 90 percent, making the Vantage Titan 3T the quietest available. Additionally, the Vantage Titan 3T boasts a 71 cm opening, giving patients more room and reducing claustrophobia, another concern facing the 3T MR market.
The system also incorporates the ability to perform contrast-free MRA exams, including Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI) for evaluating peripheral vascular diseases of the lower legs and extremities; Contrast-free Improved Angiography (CIA) for easier visualization of smaller vessels; Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse (Time-SLIP) for evaluating hemodynamic, functional assessments and visualization of vascular structures; and Time and Space Angiography (TSA) to create non-contrast time-resolved imaging with high temporal resolution. Toshiba is the only imaging vendor to offer advanced contrast-free MRA techniques.
The Vantage Titan 3T also utilizes Toshiba’s Atlas integrated coil technology to reduce exam time and improve the overall exam experience for patients. Because the coils are integrated into the table, patients do not need to be continually repositioned for many exams, which saves time and improves patient comfort. Additionally, the Vantage Titan 3T will be equipped with the new user interface – M-Power – to further improve ease of use for technologists.
Click on the red arrow for a quick demo of the bore size difference compared to common 3T machines:
Press release: TOSHIBA SHOWCASES PATIENT-FRIENDLY 3T MR SYSTEM
