Philips introduces the first mobile 3.0T MRI system with MultiTransit to Middle East healthcare providers

Royal Philips Electronics, in partnership with Smit Mobile Equipment, is introducing the world’s first Mobile 3.0T MRI system with MultiTransmit - the Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile MRI – to Middle East healthcare providers. The mobile system, being shown for the first time in the Middle East, brings advanced MRI diagnostic capabilities to patients who may not otherwise have had access to this innovative technology. 

Smit Mobile Equipment is part of the Oshkosh Corporation and is a leader in mobile medical diagnostic units, mobile hospitals and mobile clinics. The Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile MRI is in its mobile trailer and will be showcased at Arab Health 2011in Dubai, U.A.E January24-27, 2011. 

Built with the same innovative imaging technology as the stationary Philips 3.0T TX system and outfitted with the same amenities and staff as an in-house MRI suite, the Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile is fully transportable in a 48-foot trailer. 

“The beauty of Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile is that several different healthcare facilities can rent it at any given time because of its ability to travel, ultimately helping to solve patient overflow issues in large University and teaching hospitals,” said Conrad Smits, CEO for MRI, Philips Healthcare. "In addition, it is also ideal for healthcare facilities who do not have the resources to build or add onto their own MRI suites or who want to sample the imaging service provided by advanced 3.0T MultiTransmit technology.” 

Additionally, the Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile has the same ease of use and set-up time as many 1.5T scanners, but with the higher resolution and clarity that was once only available in sophisticated research institutions. The mobile unit also includes active magnetic shielding, permitting the light-weight high field magnet to be transported in the trailer.

The Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile features MultiTransmit, Philips’ patient-adaptive parallel transmit RF technology, which utilizes multiple radiofrequency transmission signals to automatically adjust to each patient's unique size and shape. Previously, radiologists using 3.0T imaging faced the challenge of dielectric shading, a non-uniform radiofrequency distribution in the body that affected image quality. The Philips MultiTransmit technological innovation delivers enhanced image contrast uniformity, and consistent 3.0T imaging to mainstream radiology. 

The Achieva 3.0T TX Mobile MRI is an ideal healthcare solution for the Middle East region, be it due to lack of infrastructure or for geographical reasons. However, awareness of the need for preventative screening is growing and medical professionals in the Middle East are searching for new ways to cope with the increasing need for early diagnosis of the disease.