No big deal. This is the announcement:
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CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 1996--McCormick Place - FONAR
Corporation (NASDAQ: FONR), a leading manufacturer of MRI systems,
today unveiled its latest work in progress, an MRI machine that scans
patients in the standing position. FONAR, holder of the world's
first MRI patent as well as an array of other leading MRI patents,
introduced their latest innovation at the 1996 meeting of the
Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
In addition to providing conventional MR scanning of the entire
human body, the FONAR Stand-Up MRI(TM) is unique in that it makes
magnetic resonance images of a patient's spine and joints in the
weight-bearing state. Virtually all of today's whole-body MRI
scanners require patients to lie on their backs or stomachs, thereby
relieving the spine and joints of most of their normal weight burden
for the duration of the examination, which may at times result in a
misdiagnosis. With the Stand-Up MRI(TM), however, physicians will,
for the first time, be able to detect abnormalities or injuries
observable only in the weight-bearing condition, a diagnostic boon
for orthopedic and neurological practitioners.
To be scanned in this latest scanner, a patient simply walks into
the center area of the machine and stands or sits in the position
appropriate for the targeted image region. A special apparatus
included with the system raises or lowers the patient as necessary.
The same apparatus also converts to a horizontal bed for standard MRI
imaging and, operating much like a see-saw, allows scanning at any
inclination. For the first time, MR angiography can be performed in
the diagnostically desirable orientation known as the Trendelenburg
position in which the patient's feet are elevated higher than his or
her head.
The unique design of the Stand-Up MRI(TM) enables
full-range-of-motion MRI movies of any joint in virtually any
direction, an especially appealing prospect for diagnosing sports
injuries but an impossibility on today's MRI scanners. FONAR
believes that the new machine will be ideal for trauma centers where
immediate and easy-access MRI screening will improve a patient's
chances for survival and optimize the recovery process.
This is not the first time that FONAR has introduced a major
breakthrough at the RSNA. In 1980, the Company introduced the
world's first commercial MRI and, in 1995, introduced its QUAD(TM)
Series MR scanners, the highest-field-strength open MRI's in the
industry. It is noteworthy that FONAR, in its original patent,
envisioned a whole-body MR machine that would scan a standing patient
from head to toe. Today, 25 years later, the Stand-Up MRI(TM) is a
vision fulfilled. The Company expects to complete the prototype and
begin marketing of the new product within the next 18 months.
Attendance at this year's RSNA, the world's largest and most
prestigious annual radiological meeting, is expected to reach
approximately 60,000 attendees over the course of the week.
Visit FONAR's Web site at fonar.com for information on
FONAR's products and other Company information.
This release may include 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: FONAR Corporation
David Terry, 919/847-9535
FAX: 919/676-8629
KEYWORD: NEW YORK ILLINOIS
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE PRODUCT TRADESHOW |
