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Portable MRI info:

MagneVu http://www.magnevu.com/ for company info; photos, etc.

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Press release (note date):

Portable MRI Debuts at UCI Medical Center
UCI Physicians are First Worldwide to
Adopt the Powerful New Tool for Diagnostic Scans

Orange, Calif., June 13, 2001 — Physicians at UC Irvine, Medical Center (UCI Medical Center) have a small but powerful new imaging tool to assist with diagnosis – a portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) device developed by MagneVu and cleared for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). UCI Medical Center physicians are the first in the nation to use the device, which experts say may vastly simplify diagnosis of a variety of injuries and medical conditions.

Unlike conventional MRI systems, which must be assembled in fixed, shielded locations, the MagneVu 1000® MRI is easily transported for point-of-care diagnostic scans, making it more patient- and doctor-friendly. It's the size of a small, portable TV, attached to a laptop computer.

"The miniaturization of MRI technology offers major benefits," says Dr. Jamshid Tehranzadeh, professor of radiology at UCI Medical Center. "Most important is that it's portable, and special shielding is not needed for the room. Therefore, it can be used in just about any doctor's office. From a radiologist's point of view, because it makes very thin images, it is useful for identifying tiny erosions in the bone and revealing marrow changes in small areas like toes and fingers." The MagneVu MRI takes about 12 minutes to scan a wrist, hand, foot or ankle and offers multiple views using 3-D computer graphics.

"Anyone who’s had an MRI knows it can be an uncomfortable, claustrophobic experience – the patient must be carefully positioned on a small bed that passes into a giant magnet," says Dr. Harry Skinner, professor and chair of the UCI department of orthopedic surgery. "With this new device, only the body part under study is scanned, greatly reducing discomfort. Moreover, immediate feedback is available to the physician and patient, often eliminating the need for separate follow-up appointments."

Physicians are finding the device useful in a variety of applications, including orthopedic medicine, vascular surgery, diabetic wound care and burn treatment, as well as evaluating patients with rheumatoid arthritis for early erosions.

Rheumatologists say they’ve been able to almost instantly diagnose arthritic patients in a single office visit. "I use it primarily for the hands to help determine the extent of rheumatoid arthritis. It also helps me to see if the disease has progressed or worsened, so that I can modify treatment plans," says Dr. Carolyn Dennehey, an assistant clinical professor and rheumatologist at UCI Medical Center.

Because of its focused field of view, the MagneVu 1000 MRI is currently used for the hand, foot, wrist and ankle. Skinner comments that "as the field of view increases with this technology, we believe we will be able to provide images of knees, shoulders, hips, lumbar spines and necks."



HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MAGNEVU® 1000 PORTABLE MRI SCANNER

Received FDA clearance in August 1998.
UC Irvine Medical Center first hospital in worldwide to use the device.
Developed by MagneVu, a research and development company based in Carlsbad, Calif.
Currently used for the hand, foot, wrist and ankle. Useful for orthopedic medicine, vascular surgery, diabetic wound care, rheumatology and burn treatment.
MagneVu 1000® MRI weighs about 100 pounds and is easily transported for point-of-care diagnostic scans, making it more patient-friendly. A typical MRI weighs at least 10 times that weight.
Only the body part under study is scanned, greatly reducing discomfort and eliminating claustrophobia.
It's portable, and special shielding is not needed for the room. Can be used in just about any doctor's office.
MRI scan can be completed during same-day office visit. No need for separate appointment.