Hi Patti, This press release from Toshiba back in 97 does not answer your question about weight but it does give us a lot of insight into the way the 'OPART' is being marketed by Toshiba; ie. Low operating costs (I am under the impression that the non-superconducting magnets eg. Fonars Quad have lower operating costs. Important note: Toshiba indicates they were putting all the bells and whistles on the OPART prior to its introduction (fonar could learn a thing or two from its competition)
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For immediate release
RSNA Booth: #4351 South Hall
Contact: Kristen Heller
Phone: (714)427-3146
E-mail: kheller@painepr.com
Contact: Catherine M. Wolfe
Phone: (714)669-4140
E-mail: cwolfe@tams.com
TOSHIBA'S OPART WELL RECEIVED BY MEDICAL COMMUNITY IN YEAR-ONE
DEBUT
Chicago, Nov. 30, 1997 - Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) announced today that
the company's open, superconducting MRI system, the OPARTT, has proven to be a hit with
customers in its first full year of operation. The OPART offers customers the only superconducting,
cryogenless, .35T magnet on the market. Toshiba outlined progress with the OPART at the annual
meeting of the Radiological Society of North America.
"We now have a number of OPARTs installed nationally and internationally. Customer response has
been outstanding," said Steve Sickels, director, MRI Business Unit. "While we will need to continue
to track the OPART's performance over time, our customers have already experienced faster exam
times and enhanced patient care in the early months."
The OPART was designed as a superconducting system with the advantages of open MRI, including
the ability to scan a diverse population including large, claustrophobic and pediatric patients.
Open design ensures both patient access and quality images
At St. Clares Hospital in Schenectady, New York, the OPART was installed this summer and is
already showing a significant impact. "The OPART is capable of outstanding performance and quality
of image," said Dr. Angel Fermin, associate radiologist. "I have seen it over and over again. With it's
open design, people are more relaxed and at ease during the scan."
OPART's open design, which provides access to patients from all four sides, also allows scanning
while the patient is still connected to ancillary MRI-compatible monitoring equipment. The lateral
moving table facilitates easy and accurate patient monitoring.
Superconducting, cryogenless magnet increases productivity while lowering costs
OPART comes standard with clinical capabilities normally offered with premium, superconducting
scanners. Those clinical capabilities include high-resolution routine imaging, 2D TOF and phase shift
vascular imaging, fast scanning FastASE imaging, breath-hold for imaging the abdomen and chest,
and a wide variety of fast scanning techniques.
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems is a subsidiary of Toshiba
America Inc. which employs 8,000 throughout the United States. TAMS markets, sells, distributes
and services diagnostic imaging systems. Toshiba's imaging products include CT, MRI, nuclear
medicine, ultrasound, and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems. Toshiba America MRI
Inc., in South San Francisco, has responsibility for research and development, engineering and
manufacturing of diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States.
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Also Patti regarding the weight, I remember that this is why it made sense when Fonar announced an over seas manufacturing partnership. Do not know what has become of this? |
