Open MRI - any dangers?

Open MRI Machines-history

• Which companies invented open MRI? In what years? Which years did open MRI become common in clinical practice?

• Answer:

  Hello Kellyj2006, "The world?s first MRI images of the human head on an experimental MRI resistive system at the Philips Research Laboratories in the Netherlands are presented by Philips." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philips "MRI is based on a physics phenomenon discovered in the 1930s, called nuclear magnetic resonance or NMR, in which magnetic fields and radio waves cause atoms to give off tiny radio signals. Felix Bloch, working at Stanford University, and Edward Purcell, from Harvard University, discovered NMR. NMR spectroscopy was then used as means to study the composition of chemical compounds." http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/bldamadian.htm "he significance and importance of Dr. Damadian?s discovery in the origination of MRI was acknowledged by the U.S. Supreme Court in its 1997 decision, when the Court enforced Dr. Damadian's original patent (U.S. Patent #3,789,832) that patented the relaxation differences and their use in scanning." "FONAR was incorporated in 1978, making it is the first, oldest and most experienced MR manufacturer in the industry. FONAR introduced the world's first commercial MRI (a whole-body MRI scanner) in 1980, and went public in 1981. In 1982, FONAR introduced its patented iron-core technology, which is the basis for all Open MRI scanners. In 1984, the company invented Oblique Imaging, providing medical technology the means to produce multiple images "at any angle," which was never before possible in medical imaging. In 1985, the Multi-Angle Oblique (MAO) scanning protocol, an innovative, dramatic extension of FONAR's Oblique Imaging, was invented and patented." " FONAR has successfully obtained satisfaction from nearly every one of its competitors in the MRI industry, including giant multi-nationals such as Toshiba, Siemens, Shimadzu and Philips. In May 1995, after a lengthy legal battle with General Electric, FONAR won a jury decision on two of its patents, the Multi-Angle Oblique patent and the Cancer Detection patent. These victories were upheld by the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in February of 1997. On May 27, 1997, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered GE to pay FONAR. GE paid FONAR $128,705,766 for its infringement of FONAR's patents. On October 6, 1997 the U.S. Supreme Court rejected GE's final attempt to reverse the decision." http://www.fonar.com/history.htm " Although MRI was invented in early 1970s, its first commercial scanner was not marketed until 10 years later" http://www.mri.hku.hk/about%20mri.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging This site will tell you most of what youw ant to know about MRI history. Be sure to visit the links on this page for even more information on MRI: "Felix Bloch and Edward Purcell, both of whom were awarded the Nobel Prize in 1952, discovered the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) phenomenon independently in 1946. In the period between 1950 and 1970, NMR was developed and used for chemical and physical molecular analysis. In 1971 Raymond Damadian showed that the nuclear magnetic relaxation times of tissues and tumors differed, thus motivating scientists to consider magnetic resonance for the detection of diseases. Dr. Damidian and his team spent the next seven years diligently designing and creating the first MRI machine for medical imaging of the human body." http://www.mr-tip.com/serv1.php?type=db1&dbs=MRI%20History "The Esaote Group, founded in the 1980's, is a global leader in research, production, and marketing of medical diagnostic equipment and related services. Esaote offers integrated diagnostic solutions for ultrasound, electromedical diagnostic systems, and MRI. The Esaote MRI equipment is dedicated for specific clinical applications, as distinguished from conventional whole body MRI systems. This MRI product family is based on a unique, proprietary technology developed specifically for musculoskeletal imaging. The Italian based company is a member of the Bracco Group. GE Healthcare is the exclusive U.S. distributor of MRI devices manufactured by Esaote." http://www.mr-tip.com/serv1.php?type=db1&gid=1342 "High-Field Open MRI (2001): Researchers at GE R&D collaborate with colleagues at GE Medical Systems to introduce new technologies into superconducting magnets, enabling the launch of the OpenSpeed MRI ? the first to market, high-field open magnetic resonance scanner. OpenSpeed provides doctors with high quality images while the open design makes the experience much more comfortable for patients." http://www.crd.ge.com/06_about/ourHistory.shtml The newest: http://www.medical.philips.com/us/products/mri/products/panorama1t/ It's hear to say exactly when open MRI became common practice, as it was probably introduced gradually, depending on funding. This Massachusetts center opened in 1988 "The Center opened in February of 1988 with one General Electric Signa 1.5 Tesla scanner. A second Signa 1.5 Tesla magnet was installed in March 1990 to meet the growing needs of the referring community of physicians. These scanners are being constantly upgraded to keep current with technology available through research and development. In 1996, a major upgrade on one of the Signa scanners to the Horizon Echo Speed system was completed. This included a larger bore size, (up from 55 cm to 60 cm), and faster scanning times and capabilities." "Early fall of 1998 saw a major renovation to the Center with an addition of 4,000 square feet and an installation of an "open" MRI scanner." http://www.nsmic.org/history.htm If any part of this answer is unclear, please request an Answer Clarification, before rating. This will enable me to assist you further, if possible. Regards, Crabcakes Search Terms ============ Firt MRI scanner manufactured history + MRI