New MRI Offers Weight-Bearing Images

Esaote North America’s new weight-bearing MRI machine is a new interpretation of an older idea. With the company’s G-scan Brio, patients now can have their anatomy imaged while in a weight-bearing or a standing position.

“For many patients, their symptoms worsen when they’re standing or are in a weight-bearing position, ” said Douglas Smith, M.D., founder of Musculoskeletal Imaging Consultants in San Antonio, Texas. “Traditional MRI systems scan these patients in a recumbent position, which fails to explain their symptoms. Consequently, many patients don’t receive the proper treatment and suffer needlessly.”

Esaote officials note that traditional MRI systems require the patient to lie down on a bed and then be transported into an immovable tube for the exam. With G-scan Brio, a patient lies down on the bed and both the bed and the open magnet rotate on a central axis, enabling the patient to be examined in a weight-bearing position. Physicians can then compare weight-bearing and traditional supine studies to make the most accurate diagnosis.

Bill Conn, Director of MRI Marketing at Esaote North America, says that the new eXP technology combines a powerful hardware platform with advanced software to decrease imaging time by as much as 40%. He adds that since many patients have metal implants, new Metal Artifact Reduction sequences minimize metal artifacts associated with MR imaging.

“We created G-scan Brio, with eXP technology, to address an important clinical gap, while operating at a fraction of the cost of a whole-body MRI system, ” said Conn. “Shortening imaging exam times makes the entire process more efficient for both patient and operator. New eXP technology not only adds clinical enhancements, but also takes a smart approach to MR hardware that reduces power consumption, space requirements and operating costs for healthcare facilities.” He added that the system also provides high quality images of patients’ hips, shoulders, arms, and legs.