Until only a few years ago, Philips had ignored the open MR marketplace, choosing instead to concentrate on premium performance cylindrical systems. An alliance with and later the purchase of Marconi Medical Systems provided entry for the company into this market segment. In January, Philips announced its first U.S. installations of the Panorama open 0.6 T scanner. Twelve have been completed. The first were installed at X-Ray Associates in Johnston, RI, and the Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans.
