July 1, 2008 – Siemens Medical Solutions and the Steadman•Hawkins Research Foundation have formed a strategic alliance that will add 3T MRI technology to the foundation and allow its clinicians and researchers better access to advanced sports medical imaging, said Siemens.
Siemens MAGNETOM Verio is a 3T MRI system with a 70 cm open bore and Total imaging matrix (Tim) technology. The MAGNETOM Verio represents a new class of MRI technology that increases access to advanced diagnostic capabilities and delivers high-field imaging to many patients who could not benefit from the technology before, said Siemens.
Once the MAGNETOM Verio is installed, Steadman•Hawkins will use the data collected from it to test new software being developed specifically for orthopedic sports medicine and research being conducted in Vail. Researchers at the foundation will then analyze the imaging data, compare it to their surgical data, and determine whether they can match the images with actual surgical observations.
For instance, researchers will be able to evaluate physiology of cartilage tissue and determine the health and regeneration of that tissue in a totally noninvasive way, before and after treatment, said Siemens. Until now, a doctor would look inside a joint and, perhaps, take a biopsy just to evaluate the results of an operation or to measure progress. If the patient happens to be an athlete, in many instances, it will be possible to determine the status of an injury without surgery and without keeping the player off the field until he or she recovers from the diagnostic procedure.
For more information: www.usa.siemens.com/medical, www.shsmf.org