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FOR YOUR HEALTH
Kitsap County’s First Open MRI System Arrives |
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| The magnet weighs 29,000 pounds and was lifted by a large crane to the open wall in the Silverdale Harrison Building, where it was then pulled into the building using large come-alongs. In addition, a special chiller, or air conditioning unit, was lifted by crane to the roof of the building. |
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Kitsap County’s first true Open MRI arrived in Silverdale on Saturday, February 17. It will be part of Advanced Medical Imaging’s new Imaging Center, opening April 2, 2001. This Open MRI system came from Holland by ship to Oakland, California, then was trucked to Silverdale. This is only the second MRI unit of this model in the entire United States. Special construction reinforcements were built in to ensure the second floor would withstand the weight.
Many patients are not comfortable in the “tunnel” of a traditional MRI, or may be unable to fit inside. The Philips Gyroscan Panorama features the most patient- friendly of all open magnet designs, a C-arm. This feature provides excellent overall patient access and easy patient entry from the side of the table – not head-or feet-first.
The Open MRI meets the needs of any patient, but particularly those who may be claustrophobic, robust, or the pediatric patient who needs a loved one next to them, holding their hand. In addition, a specially designed coil further enhances the calm environment by reducing the “knocking” noise – especially important when scanning children.
MRI scans use computers and magnetic fields to create pictures of the human anatomy similar to x-rays, but without radiation. Currently, about 13 million MRI exams are performed each year, and that number is increasing annually.
The addition of the Phillips Gyroscan Panorama MRI to the new imaging center in Silverdale will allow patients a choice in MRI scans, without having to travel out of the county.
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