AMS to unveil MR mammography unit

Niche MRI vendor Advanced MammographySystems will debut its long-awaited MR mammography scanner atthe RSNA show. The company, which is a subsidiary of fast MRIdeveloper Advanced NMR Systems, will also hold a special briefingon Sunday, Nov. 27, to unveil the unit.

AMS has yet not released the name of the system, but the scannerfeatures a 0.5-tesla superconducting magnet similar in appearanceto a standard MRI scanner, according to Robert Kwolyk, vice presidentof sales and marketing for the Wilmington, MA, company. Thereare significant differences, however: Patients will enter themagnet bore feet first and in a prone position, with the breastshanging through holes in the patient table. The scanner's specialradio-frequency coils are embedded within the table, Kwolyk said.

The scanner will feature sequences optimized for breast imaging,according to Kwolyk. The company is reluctant to discuss whetherthe scanner will be used for screening, lesion differentiationor both, preferring instead to leave the development of clinicalapplications up to physicians. Use of the scanner for imagingleaks in silicone breast implants is one application whose utilityis already evident, however.

The scanner has been designed to support an integrated breastbiopsy capability that may be developed in the future, accordingto Kwolyk. It may also be possible to integrate breast therapywith the system.

Advanced Mammography Systems has designed the system for cost-effectivescanning, Kwolyk said. The price of the system will probably beunder $500,000 and the scanner can complete an examination in15 minutes. The system sites in less than 300 square feet. Thecompany is in the process of filing a 510(k) application for theproduct.