The Medical City Acquires New MRI System for Radiology Department

The Medical City recently upgraded its Radiology Department with the addition of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system designed to make MR exams easier and more comfortable for patients.

With the acquisition of the new MRI system, Siemens Magnetom Aera 1.5T, patients now have access to TMC’s Radiology Department MRI Section 24 hours a day. The new MRI system likewise satisfies patients' needs for MRI with competitive prices across the nation.

MRI is a painless and safe diagnostic procedure that uses powerful magnetic fields and radio waves to produce remarkably detailed images of the internal organs and tissues, without the use of X-rays or other ionizing radiation. It can show chemical changes in tissue that indicate disease and track movement of water molecules at the cellular and gross levels. A variation called functional MRI can also track activity in various parts of the brain during different tasks.

TMC decided to purchase from Siemens, the same company that provided its first MRI, the Magnetom Symphony 1.5T, as it is the industry leader and trendsetter in the field of MRI.  “And since our first magnet was also from Siemens, our familiarity with its system and software interface eases our learning curve with the new Magnetom Aera 1.5T,” says Dr. Frankie V. Fernandez, MRI Section Head of the TMC Department of Radiology.

The Magnetom Aera 1.5T is the top-of-the-line 1.5T (tesla) model from Siemens, with integrated Tim® 4G (Total imaging matrix) and Dot™ (Day optimizing throughput) technologies, representing the most advanced hardware and software configurations in MRI. The magnet has a shorter body and wider, more open bore (145 cm length with 70 cm bore), which reduces patient anxiety and claustrophobia. The shorter body allows many studies to be completed with the patient’s head outside the bore. The roominess of the 70 cm Open Bore design will accommodate a large variety of body sizes, shapes, and conditions. This is the preferred design by claustrophobic patients while other patients will get to enjoy the extra room too.

The dockable table is designed for maximum patient comfort and smooth preparation, and will be able to support patients weighing up to 250 kg (550 lb).

“The all-digital Tim® 4G technology allows us to combine multiple coils for greater flexibility, while Dot™ is an innovative system software which offers patient personalization, user guidance, and process automation, resulting in more consistent and reliable images” says Dr. Fernandez.

With Magnetom Aera 1.5T, the TMC Radiology Department expects a significant increase in MRI exams done per day. The new MRI system promises faster completion of studies which translates to increased patient throughput.

Upgraded and innovative clinical applications in the Magnetom Aera 1.5T will benefit a wide range of physicians, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, oncologists, orthopedic surgeons and cardiologists. The new services being offered by the MRI Section include non contrast-enhanced brain perfusion, functional MRI of the brain, CSF flow studies, 3D spectroscopy, high resolution diffusion tensor imaging and tractography, whole body MRI and MRA, high-resolution non contrast-enhanced MRA, 4D tissue imaging, cartilage mapping and advanced cardiac MRI. With the acquisition of an “open” breast coil, the section will soon have the capability to perform MR-guided breast biopsies.

According to Dr. Fernandez, the MRI section recently added four new regular MR consultants to augment the present faculty of six to handle increased procedure load.

The MRI Section of the Department of Radiology is located at the Ground Floor, Podium Building, The Medical City in Ortigas Ave., Pasig City. For more information you may call 988-1000 / 988-7000 ext. 6178.