Michigan Resonance Imaging Installs Highest Resolution MRI In U.S.

Rochester Hills-based Michigan Resonance Imaging has purchased the newest Siemens Aera1.5T Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine and installed it at Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.

"This is a huge advantage for our patients," said Janelle Spann, executive director of Michigan Resonance Imaging. "This newest 1.5 Tesla Open MRI machine will provide far more detailed images than any other 1.5 Tesla MRI machine in Michigan. It will allow physicians to have better diagnosis which will lead to superior cardiac, orthopaedic, vascular, neurological and magnetic resonance enterography scans resulting in better outcomes."

Added James Peters, a fellowship-trained board-certified radiologist for Michigan Resonance Imaging: "Typical Open 1.5T MRI machines provide 18-channel imaging where the new Siemens Aera 1.5T will image at 64 channels, it will show more detail than any other 1.5T in the state. Better images means better diagnosis, which leads to better treatments for patients."

The delivery of this unique machine was a long process, as it was nearly custom-built for Michigan Resonance Imaging, the leader in MRI imaging in S.E. Michigan. MRI technology uses a combination of magnetism and radio waves to reveal remarkably clear images without exposure to radiation.

The new Siemens Aera 1.5 T will be installed on-site at Crittenton on Wednesday, Feb. 23.

Once all systems are go, the machine will never be turned off and will provide superior diagnostic MRI scans for patients throughout Southeast Michigan. Michigan Resonance Imaging anticipates the
installation will be complete by the end of March and will start its new MRI service the first week of April.

This new MRI complements the five other world-class MRIs in use at Michigan Resonance Imaging. It will be their second open MRI unit.

"To have the only 1.5T open MRI machine of this caliber -- right here in Michigan and at Crittenton -- is something we are obviously very proud of," said Dr. Frank Sottile, Crittenton's chief medical officer. "We want to make sure everyone knows about it and has the opportunity to take advantage of its power and capability for their better health."

Michigan Resonance Imaging has eight locations throughout Southeast Michigan and is a non-profit joint venture between Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, Pontiac Osteopathic Regional Medical Center and
Mt. Clemens Regional Medical Center.