Supplier ships advanced magnets

Intermagnetics General has completed, tested, and delivered the first in a series of new 1-tesla open MRI magnets. The new, actively shielded magnet is the centerpiece of Philips’ Panorama 1.0T product, which was introduced as work-in-progress at last year’s RSNA meeting. The company has also begun commercial shipments of 3-tesla magnets, which serve as the core of its Intera 3.0T system. The system is designed for high-end neuro, orthopedic, and cardiovascular applications. Despite its very high field strength, Intera 3.0T fits in the same compact casing as lower field Intera systems and has the same 60-cm-diameter bore. Philips’ rising market share and the growth of new applications for 3-tesla scanners has begun to produce incremental revenue, according to Glenn H. Epstein, Intermagnetics president and chief executive officer. The company is looking forward to continued fiscal growth from this product as well as the open 1-tesla system, he said.