IGC/SMIS produce low-cost MRI scanner

A joint venture between Intermagnetics General and Surrey MedicalImaging Systems will display a new 0.15-tesla permanent-magnetMRI scanner designed to carry one of the lowest price tags inthe industry. The work-in-progress scanner, IMiG-MRI, will bedisplayed in the booth of SMIS, a company based in Surrey, U.K.(SCAN 7/3/96).

IMiG-MRI features a compact permanent magnet with a 70 x 57-cmelliptical bore designed by ICG, a Latham, NY, company that buildssuperconducting magnets for MRI vendors such as Philips and Hitachi.The magnet's electronics were developed by SMIS, which suppliesspectrometers to Advanced NMR and Magna-Lab.

The scanner's gradient coils are rated at 14 mtesla/m, whilethe entire platform weighs 8 tons and occupies a 35-square-metersuite. The companies plan to emphasize international sales ofIMiG-MRI through a network of distributors.