Press Presse Prensa

Medical Solutions
                                                                                          For immediate release
                                                                                          Hong Kong, August 7, 2006

Advanced Clinical Applications with the Total Imaging Matrix (Tim) reveal New Diagnostic Possibilities

Siemens Medical Solutions presents its latest technologies and innovations at the 11th Asian Oceanian Congress of Radiology (6-9 August 2006), a major biennial Congress for radiologists in Asia and Oceania firstly held in Hong Kong.  One of the company’s major innovations showcased at the Congress is the Total Imaging Matrix (known as Tim technology) for Magnetic Resonance (MR) Tomography. Tim allows for the very first time imaging of all the organs affected by a disease, and even whole-body imaging, in a single examination with excellent image quality.  In the meantime, over 1000 Tim systems have been installed worldwide and 10 of them are in Hong Kong.

Whole-body imaging in single session with excellent image quality at a much shorter time
Siemens Tim technology is the first whole body surface coil concept that seamlessly combines up to 102 coil elements and utilising up to 32 independent radio frequency channels, opening the door to the most advanced clinical applications available today.  Tim technology enables flexible coil combinations to encompass local high resolution imaging to large anatomical coverage up to 205cm (6’9”).  Other systems require the radiologist to change coils and reposition the patient three times for a whole-body MRI procedure.  “Tim instead changes all this, for this first time it is possible to perform a whole-body scan from head to toe with surface coil resolution within a single examination, hence reducing exposure time for a scan from more than 2 hours previously to 12-20 minutes with Tim by now” said Mr Heinrich von Wulfen, President Asia Pacific, Siemens Medical Solutions, at a press briefing today. “It has significantly helped improve hospital workflow and patient throughout” he expected more and more hospitals in the region will adopt this new technology.

Tim completely opens up new dimensions, for example, in cancer diagnostics and staging.  Instead of several segments of patient anatomy Tim provides the same sharp detailed definition across the entire body.  The detection of tumors and systemic metastases distributed across several parts of the body is greatly facilitated and with improved diagnostic confidence.  The same applies to systemic vascular diseases or diseases of the central nervous system.  Tim technology has a highly positive effect on image quality and sensitivity to disease by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as much as 100 percent.

Tim technology also greatly enhances cardiac examinations.  The use of a 32 channel coil and new imaging methods such as AutoViability and Cine Late Enhancement allow for a display of the infarcted area affecting heart contraction, facilitate the examination as such, and improve the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases with MR.  Not only it is possible to obtain higher resolution, the workflow shows considerable improvement as well. Today a full cardiac examination of an infarct patient can be completed within 15-30 minutes. 

Multi territory assessment in one single scan
In addition, an examination with Tim allows for a multi territory assessment of cardiovascular diseases extending to the entire body in a single exam without patient repositioning. For example arteriosclerosis and diabetes do not affect the heart alone, but other organs and vessel systems as well.  For diabetes, the kidneys in connection with the heart and the entire vascular system can be examined in a single exam in high resolution.  The physician is able to diagnose vessel changes early and take therapeutic measures before the heart muscle is damaged.

Set new standards in patient comfort and patient convenience
The receive coils, positioned on the region of the body for MR image acquisition, are very light weight due to their unique and open design.  The so-called Body Matrix coil for the Tim weighs as little as 950 grams. Another feature is the MR system’s short magnet length means the patient finds himself in a larger space.  This provides the physician with better access to the patient, a fact that is of decisive importance during cardiac examinations using pharmacological stress.

Although Tim examines patients who are as tall as 6 feet 9 inches, the technology also offers special advantages when dealing with children: using measurement techniques such as GRAPPA and T-SENSE combined with the 32 RF channels of Tim, the fast heart rates of children as well as the smallest anatomical structures are no longer a challenge. 

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Siemens Medical Solutions (Med) is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. 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. From imaging systems for diagnosis, to therapy equipment for treatment, to patient monitors to hearing instruments and beyond, Siemens innovations contribute to the health and well-being of people across the globe, while improving operational efficiencies and optimizing workflow in hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and doctors' offices. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of
€7.6 billion, orders of €8.6 billion and Group profit of €976 million for fiscal 2005 (September 30). Further information is available at: www.siemens.com/medical.