MALVERN, Pa. - Looking to expand its imaging capacity and range of services, Battlefield Imaging of Ringgold, Ga., has become the first facility in the United States to install the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system from Siemens Healthcare (www.usa.siemens.com/healthcare) - the MAGNETOM® ESSENZA. The most affordable all new 1.5 Tesla (T) system on the market today, the MAGNETOM ESSENZA is the premier choice for small hospitals, outpatient imaging centers, or anyone else looking for a cost-effective way to offer MRI services.

"With a nationwide surge in demand for MR imaging - due to its ability to provide essential diagnostic information across a range of clinical specialty areas - we have been unable to keep pace with the imaging demands of our community," said Dr. John Nelson, medical director of Battlefield Imaging. "Siemens introduction of the MAGNETOM ESSENZA is especially important in today's changing reimbursement environment. With MAGNETOM ESSENZA we were able to afford a new system, greatly expanding access to imaging diagnostics and, ultimately, improving patient care."

Battlefield Imaging was built as a cutting-edge, completely digital center from its inception, and offers all aspects of diagnostic imaging services to include positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). Battlefield Imaging is a freestanding, fully American College of Radiology (ACR)-accredited imaging center, which has been recognized by Outpatient Care Technology as the 2007 Imaging Center of Excellence. Along with Siemens' MAGNETOM Espree, the addition of the MAGNETOM ESSENZA has provided increased access to high-field MRI to the community, which includes the primary service areas of Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties - serving more than 137,000 residents.

About the MAGNETOM ESSENZA
The MAGNETOM ESSENZA combines high quality system performance with a patient-friendly design at one of the lowest total costs of ownership in the industry today. The magnet has simple siteing requirements, is lightweight (approximately 3.5 tons), and has an ultra-short bore-length of 145 cm.

Once installed, the system is designed to provide an optimal operating cost, which could save facilities as much as 50 percent on their MR energy bill, compared with older systems.* Furthermore, the system's advanced magnet design helps to ensure maximum product uptime with a state-of-the-art zero helium boil-off magnet.

"Siemens developed the MAGNETOM ESSENZA specifically to provide smaller hospitals and imaging centers with the opportunity to offer high-field imaging to their patients," said Jeffrey Bundy, vice president, Magnetic Resonance, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "What's more, the system also addresses the needs of clinicians, by offering imaging strength, clarity, and overall efficiency designed to improve a center's workflow and revenue stream."

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