Fonar Corp (FONR)

[ProfitScout]

GE Healthcare Sells FONAR Upright Multi-Position MRI To Large Multi-Specialty Physician Practice

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov 13, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FONAR Corporation ( FONR ), The Inventor of MR Scanning(TM), announced today that GE Healthcare has sold* the FONAR Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI to a large multi-specialty physician group. The Multi-Specialty Physician Practice represents 25-30 physicians specializing in neurosurgery, orthopedics, pain management, ENT and internal medicine. The FONAR Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI is to be installed in their new 100,000 square foot medical practice building as part of the full-modality 10,000 square foot imaging center, central to the success of their practice. The imaging center includes a 3T MRI, a 64 slice CT, X-Ray, mammography and a LOGIQ Ultrasound.

The group, which for competitive reasons wishes not to be identified before magnet installation, has a strong practice in Spine Care. They concluded that FONAR's Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI was essential for delivering the latest state-of-the-art Spine Care, knowing that more accurate diagnoses mean better surgical outcomes for the patient, more patient referrals and happier patients.

Just as hospitals like St. Maartenskliniek in Nijmegen, the Netherlands' largest orthopedic hospital, are concluding that the FONAR Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI is mandatory and not optional for a hospital engaged in Spine Care. The purchasing group, with a strong multi-specialty practice and a distinguished reputation in Spine Care, came to the same conclusion. In FONAR's press release (September 13, 2006, WWW.FONAR.com/news/091306a.htm) St. Maartenskliniek reported that "from their 'Spine Center's' point of view, owning FONAR's weight-bearing, multi-position MRI, once it became available, was mandatory and not optional".

"We are pleased", said Raymond Damadian, M.D., president and founder of FONAR, "that the medical profession, practicing physicians and hospitals alike are realizing that the static images of the spine provided by conventional recumbent-only MR scanners are insufficient and that Dynamic MR imaging of the fully weight-loaded spine in multiple positions is the key to accurate diagnosis and successful patient outcomes".

* The purchased FONAR Upright(TM) Multi-Position(TM) MRI scanner was sold to the customer by the combined efforts of FONAR's sales representative and GE Healthcare. FONAR and GE entered into an agreement to sell FONAR Upright(TM) MRIs.

About FONAR

FONAR(R) was incorporated in 1978, making it the first, oldest and most experienced MRI manufacturer in the industry. FONAR introduced the world's first commercial MRI in 1980, and went public in 1981. Since its inception, FONAR has installed hundreds of MRI scanners worldwide. Their stellar product line includes the FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MULTI-POSITION(TM) MRI (also known as the Stand-Up(TM) MRI), the only whole-body MRI that performs Multi-Position(TM) imaging (mpMRI(TM) and scans patients in numerous weight-bearing positions, i.e. standing, sitting, in flexion and extension, as well as the conventional lie-down position. The FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MULTI-POSITION(TM) MRI often sees the patient's problem that other scanners cannot because they are lie-down only. With nearly one half million patients scanned, the patient-friendly FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MULTI-POSITION(TM) MRI has a near zero claustrophobic rejection rate by patients. A radiologist said, "FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI - No More Claustrophobia - The Tunnel Is Gone." As another FONAR customer states, "If the patient is claustrophobic in this scanner, they'll be claustrophobic in my parking lot." Approximately 85% of patients are scanned sitting while they watch a 42" flat screen TV. FONAR's latest MRI scanner is the FONAR 360(TM), a room-size recumbent scanner that optimizes openness while facilitating physician access to the patient. FONAR is headquartered on Long Island, New York, and has approximately 400 employees.

The Inventor of MR Scanning(TM), True Flow(TM) MRI, Stand-Up(TM) MRI, FONAR UPRIGHT(TM) MRI, Position(TM) MRI, PMRI(TM) and The Proof is in the Picture(TM) are trademarks of FONAR(R) Corporation.

Be sure to visit FONAR's Web site for Company product and investor information: http://www.fonar.com

This release may include forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional information on factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in the company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE: FONAR Corporation

FONAR Corporation
Daniel Culver, 631-694-2929
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http://www.fonar.com


Copyright Business Wire 2006