BEIJING, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Philips launched in China the first ever digital broadband MR of the world, Ingenia, writing a new chapter in the history of medical equipment digitization. At the launch ceremony themed with “Definition of Digital MR, The Future of Imaging”, hundreds of foreign and Chinese experts and scholars in imaging and clinical applications gathered together to discuss the digitization trend of MR and the clinical performance of Ingenia in Neuro, Body and Cardiac applications.
Since clinical application of MR, it has attracted wide attention from medical research communities, healthcare institutions and patients at large thanks to its safety, accuracy and broad applicability. Meanwhile, cooperation between research and healthcare institutions is also gaining momentum to continuously improve MR performance in clinical application. As the global leader of the healthcare industry, Philips introduced the world first ever digital broadband MR that innovatively integrates digital coil design, digital coil interface and digital transferring throughout the whole process. Philips is the first company that has broken down the technological barriers of digitally collecting data at the source and freed itself from the conventional MR constraint imposed by simulated signals, resulting in image quality that is 100% based on original imaging signals. Compared with conventional MR, the digital broadband MR enjoys up to 40% SNR improvement and is the most accurate ultra-high-field MR. “There is a universal consensus in the academic and healthcare communities that ‘digital’ MRI is a leading technology that represents the future.” said Prof. Peter Luijten from Utrecht University in the Netherlands.
"China's current healthcare conditions require hospitals to have medical equipments that can both satisfy clinical needs and enhance patient experience and equipment efficiency," said Guo Qiyong, Vice President of China Medical University (CMU) and President of its affiliated Shengjing Hospital, who also once served as Chairman of Society of Radiology under the Chinese Medical Association. "We expect the Philips Ingenia to be able to meet the diversified needs." Ingenia demonstrates its excellence not only in its elevated clinical performance, but also in enhanced patient experience. For patients that suffer from claustrophobia, the 70 cm bore of the digital MR can to some extent alleviate their anxiety. Besides, patients can have whole body scanned within one minute and the image can be generated with high SNR and resolution thanks to the 70 cm bore scanner’s best homogeneity with shortest magnet, and 55-cm FOV, the largest in the industry, thus raising the throughput by 30%. In addition, its digital coil design makes for flexible combination of all the coils to suit position of patients, which simplifies the workflow and brings more comfort to patients.
"We are extremely excited about the release of Ingenia, which is the embodiment of an innovative Philips. Following the 'People Focused' concept, we have been committed to providing hospitals with improved solutions and patients with a comfortable environment for examination so that a harmonious relationship can be forged between hospitals and patients. Ingenia is a combination of optimized core MR technologies by Philips. It is our belief that the digital concept will be leading the coming decade for MR," said Mr. Desmond Thio, President of Philips Healthcare Greater China.
Expansion of clinical capabilities is especially essential for advanced clinical and research needs. However, expandability of conventional MR platform is often limited by the number of RF channels. The Philips "Channel Independence" on Ingenia enables expansion and enhancement of clinical capability without system RF receive channels upgrading, which reduces additional cost of the equipment for users and thus improves its overall economic value.
More than 400 units of Ingenia have been installed across the globe, triggering off a digitization wave in the MR field.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
