To: John Swingle who wrote (3669 ) 4/24/2001 10:39:47 AM From: devonian Respond to Their major competition is probably GE and Siemens imaging groups, both of which are strong in similar MRI technology. However, Imatrons ultrafast technology is reportedly vastly better due the superior speed of the scanners. Consider the heart which doesn't stop moving; Imatron's scans much faster than the heart moves, so you get a substantially clearer picture, and better diagnostics as a result. GE and Siemans have slower technology and need rely more on software to "unblurr" the image due to the heart's movement. They are several years behind Imatron. However, GE and Siemens have far superior marketing (not an Imatron strong point). GECC does often provide financing necessary for Imatron machines, and Immelt (the new GE CEO is well aware of Imatron's machines - he comes from the medical imaging side remember). The success will depend on which dominates; technology or marketing. However, as the medical community (ie cardiologists) become more educated on the relative merits, the data will support Imatron pretty clearly. This education process is still in early stages and many cardiologists are reluctant to move to a technology which reduces their gravy train of invasive medicine.
