Siemens Introduces First 1.5 Tesla Open Bore MRI

New MRI System - Meeting the Needs of a Diverse Population, Ensuring Equal Access to Quality Care

Philadelphia, PA, July 29, 2004 – Siemens Medical Solutions today introduced the MAGNETOM Espree™, the world’s first open bore 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. As physician and patient needs have changed over time, traditional open MRI has been challenged to accommodate their requirements, including high-field strength, broader spectrum of applications and more “open” space, in order to address issues related to obesity, claustrophobia, elderly and pediatric patients. Espree offers more room than the traditional MRI and is capable of capturing high-field quality diagnostic images.

“Certainly, all patients deserve the same access to high quality MRI technology, which is used for detection, diagnosis and treatment planning of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, vascular disorders and other diseases associated with obesity,” said Nancy Gillen, vice president, Magnetic Resonance division, Siemens Medical Solutions. “The open MRI systems on the market before today were simply not up to today’s standard in image quality – they only marginally addressed issues related to patient size and discomfort. With increased patient comfort, high-field MRI diagnostic quality, and a cost-effective approach, we are offering a whole new category of MRI.”

The patient bore and free space of the new Espree system far exceeds any other 1.5 Tesla system available. It features the shortest 1.5 Tesla MRI available, at 125 cm (approximately four feet), allowing for more than 60 percent of exams to be completed with the patient’s head outside of the bore, easing issues of claustrophobia. With a bore opening of 70 cm (nearly 2.3 feet) in diameter and the average distance between a patient’s head and the MRI magnet at almost one foot, the Espree is the only 1.5 Tesla MRI system to provide enough room for larger patients. With nearly two-thirds of adults in the U.S. overweight and one-third considered obese, and in a market where imaging systems have been designed for a smaller population, Espree offers equal medical care to all patients.

The Espree system provides up to four times more signal-to-noise ratio over traditional open MRI designs, which is desirable in imaging larger patients. In addition, the Espree can perform advanced clinical applications in less time, because it combines strong gradient performance with Siemens’ Total imaging matrix (Tim™) technology. Tim is the first whole body surface coil concept that enables the highest resolution images in a shorter acquisition time. Tim coils are very light, making them both easy to position and tolerate when scanning larger patients, improving cooperation.

“Our development of a truly high-field open MRI with Tim technology exemplifies Siemens’ role as an industry leader by addressing the issues that are currently challenging society,” added Gillen. “Over the past decade, Siemens has introduced every major technological first in MRI innovations and applications, supporting our goal to enable the best possible patient care.”

As technological innovations and higher field magnets have improved MRI, the U.S. market has swung toward 1.5 Telsa systems, which now account for more than 70 percent of the market. However, the open market, previously made up of 0.7 Tesla systems or below, has lost ground. Gillen notes that this shift is not because the diagnostic imaging community doesn’t want open MRI systems, but rather because they need the image quality and clinical capabilities that are available only with a high-field 1.5 Tesla system.

By offering both high patient comfort and advanced imaging capabilities, the Espree is expected to be an important solution for diagnostic imaging centers. As patients are more often given a choice as to where they can go for an imaging exam, these independent centers are seeking the most patient-friendly systems to better compete in their local markets.

“The introduction of the MAGNETOM Espree comes on the heels of other significant imaging and information technology (IT) solutions that Siemens has brought to the market in the past year,” said Erich Reinhardt, president and CEO of Siemens Medical Solutions. “From Tim MRI technology and robotic angiography systems to 64-slice computed tomography platforms and new hybrid imaging technologies, Siemens continues to be the clear innovation leader. In addition to our imaging technology advancements, our focus on the integration of IT across the healthcare enterprise is enabling our customers to experience measurable, tangible improvements in clinical workflow, operational efficiencies, and overall costs, which ultimately result in improved outcomes for the patient.”

Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.4 billion EUR, orders of 7.8 billion EUR and group profit of 1.1 billion EUR for fiscal 2003. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical.