MRA bolus tracker begins clinical career

The first installation of Siemens' Care Bolus software package has been completed on a 0.2T Concerto system at the Wide Open MRI clinic in Hagerstown, MD. The software, which is designed specifically for Siemens' open MR systems, allows clinicians to switch from 2D to 3D image acquisition during MR angiography. When used with a contrast agent, Care Bolus optimizes the timing of the 3D acquisition, resulting in improved image quality, minimized visualization of perfused veins, and reduced incidence of repeat scans. When the Care Bolus software is combined with the Turbo MRA sequences of the Concerto, physicians can acquire studies of the carotid arteries in less than 30 seconds, according to the company. The Care Bolus system was migrated from Siemens' high-field MR systems.