NEWS RELEASE
FONAR Announces New Patent for Simultaneous Scanning of Multiple
Patients
Patent to Facilitate Lower Cost MRI Scans
MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--March 24, 1997--FONAR Corp., the technological leader in MRI, holder of the
world's first MRI patent and an array of other MRI patents is pleased to announce that the company has just been granted
another patent. This invention details apparatus and methods to enhance patient throughput on MRI systems, which can
significantly decrease the cost of MRI scans. It also, for the first time, makes simultaneous scanning of multiple patients
possible.
Currently, MRI scans are performed with the following protocol: a patient is positioned and prepared on the scanning bed, he
is scanned and then he is taken off the bed for the positioning and scanning of the next patient. Using this protocol, usually only
about three patients per hour can be scanned, with the cost typically ranging from $750 to $1200 per scan.
With FONAR's new patent, as many as twice the number of patients per hour can be scanned. This patented technology can
be implemented on any type of MRI system, most of which have two openings. As an additional boost to throughput,
FONAR's QUAD(TM) scanners have four openings and can make use of all the openings by accommodating up to four beds.
By adding an additional one to three beds to the scanner, making a total of two to four beds per scanner, a patient or patients
can be positioned and prepared for a scan while another patient is being scanned. The net result is that the scanner can be in
use much more, with little or no scanner down time for patient preparation.
With this new patent, additionally, two or more patients can be scanned simultaneously. For example, this invention makes it
possible for a head scan to be done on two patients at the same time. The new technology can be used with a privacy shield so
that each patient will feel like he is receiving an "individual scan." FONAR expects that this patented technology can cut the
cost of an MRI scan as much as 50%.
A big problem for MRI cost reduction has been that the other big-name MRI manufacturers also make other medical
equipment. By maintaining the high price of MRI, they have guarded against it becoming a substitute for the various other
diagnostic modalities, like X-Ray, that they sell.
With the availability of new technology, such as this just-granted patent, and continued cutting-edge R & D efforts, FONAR is
the driving force behind affordable MRI. Affordable MRI technology will have a tremendous impact on the cost of health care,
on the quality of imaging tools available to the masses and on the earlier detection of illnesses. FONAR also expects to have
$80-$150 MRI mammography screenings commercially available in the next two years.
This release may contain forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional
information on factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in the company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: The Catalyst Group
Lisa Salinas, 813/441-8809
813/443-7127 (fax) |
