From the October 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine


Its Day optimizing throughput (Dot) workflow engines for brain, spine and large joint exams adjust the clinical cases for each patient. Those cases comprise up to 75 percent of the average MR imaging volume, which means most exams can be conducted faster and repeat scans can be avoided more often.

At the 2016 RSNA meeting, Siemens said that motion alone can cost $100,000 per year due to the number of re-scans that are required.


If a 1.5T system can provide this level of performance, is there still demand for 3T systems?

In 2013, 60 percent of ECRI’s members were interested in 1.5T systems while 35 percent were interested in 3T systems. But in 2016, the interest in 1.5T systems rose to 68 percent and interest in 3T systems dropped to 30 percent.

According to Jason Launders, director of operations for the Health Devices Group at ECRI, significant financial pressure has resulted in hospitals not spending as freely as they once did.

Launders explains that there is about a $500,000 price difference between 1.5T and 3T systems. The latter provides better image quality and comes with more tools, but 1.5T technology has advanced in recent years.

But manufacturers may view the market differently, such as GE, which reports a decline in facilities purchasing new 1.5T systems.

“We still see strength in 3T versus 1.5T. I think the shift there is happening because of the number of advanced MR features that are growing,” says Stahre.

“If there is a decline,” he adds, “it’s in new 1.5T systems versus refurbished systems.”

Based on data from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), Stahre says that the ratio of new 1.5T to 3T system purchases is 2 to 1, and that the 3T side is continuing to grow.

Making neurology applications more user-friendly
The global MR market is expected to reach approximately $5.6 billion by 2025, according to a Grand View Research market report from January. MR for neural and brain disorders dominated the market, since there is no alternate scanning tool available for those applications.

Another survey, published by TMTG last year, found that 70 percent of radiologists report having difficulty using their existing neuro-diagnostic tools because they lack effective imaging and visualization techniques.

To assist with this, Philips launched three new MR-based neurology software applications for its Ingenia digital MR systems at RSNA 2016. These tools are designed to assist radiologists in making more definitive diagnoses.

“MR has traditionally been used for soft tissue characterization for oncology and vascular disease in the brain,” says Martijn Hartjes, senior director and head of global MR marketing at Philips. “We see new areas in neuro being explored, like neurodegenerative types of diseases, such as Alzheimer's [disease], [traumatic brain injury] and neuropsychiatry."

October 2017 Magazine

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