Open Field MRI Hits Long Island

August 27, 2008 – The North Shore-LIJ’s Diagnostic Imaging Center installed reportedly the first open-field MRI on Long Island, NY.

Unlike conventional closed tunnel-shaped MRIs, the open design of the center’s new MRI reportedly caters to anxious or claustrophobic patients, overweight or large adults and children who may be especially fearful of older machines.

In response to increased patient demand for MR imaging and a need to accommodate different types of patients, the Diagnostic Imaging Center invested in the Panorama 1.0 Tesla open MRI from Philips Healthcare. The cost of the entire project was $2.4 million.

Another advantage of the new MRI system is that it is compatible with the health system’s PACS. Digital images can be securely accessed from any computer within the center or any North Shore-LIJ hospital, or through the Internet from a doctor’s office or home computer.

For more information: www.medical.philips.com, www.northshorelij.com