New technology aims to provide faster exams, clearer images and feet-first option scans

Worcester, MA, January 16, 2018 – Saint Vincent Hospital’s patients may now experience faster, more comfortable head or feet-first MRI exams with the acquisition of the GE Healthcare Signa Artist MRI machine. This machine is the most advanced, powerful and intuitive 1.5T engineering in MR technology available from GE Healthcare and takes advantage of 2D and 3D Total Digital Imaging (TDI) aimed to advance diagnostic capabilities and speed up the process for patients.

“This equipment was designed for optimal patient comfort and to help those who experience anxiety during an MRI exam feel more relaxed and at ease,” said Saint Vincent Hospital CEO Jeffrey M. Welch. “With the many advanced features of this new technology, Saint Vincent Hospital will be able to provide high quality care in a more comfortable and efficient manner.”

In addition to the feet-first option, the design of this new wide bore MRI machine features an expansive diameter, soft lighting and a soothing fan aimed to decrease patient anxiety.  It also boasts a large 70 cm wide bore – the tube-like structure of an MRI machine, where the patient lies during the imaging process. The wider table design sits lower to the ground enabling easier patient positioning.  The table features memory foam to alleviate pain associated with pressure points and a detachable egress to assist with patient claustrophobia concerns. 

“Our goal is to provide the highest image quality to satisfy a wide range of medical needs and help physicians make quicker, more accurate diagnoses,” said Saint Vincent Hospital Chief of Radiology, Dr. David Bader.  “The fact that we can now do this while keeping patients more comfortable is integral to our mission of providing quality patient care with unrelenting attention to clinical excellence.”

A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging exam of soft tissue, bone and muscle and is one of the fastest growing types of medical diagnostic tests in the United States. The addition of this new wide bore MRI machine to Saint Vincent Hospital’s radiology suite expands access to diagnostic imaging that supports a complete range of clinical applications, including neurology, orthopedics, body imaging, angiography, cardiology, breast imaging and oncology.

MRIs, CT scans, ultrasounds, nuclear medicine, PET-CT scans, digital mammography including 3-D, and vascular and interventional radiology procedures can all be beneficial when diagnosing and managing medical conditions. Saint Vincent Hospital is fully equipped across the diagnostic and interventional radiology spectrum, which means patients don’t have to travel far and wide to get the imaging tests they need. Learn more about the hospital’s diagnostic imaging services by visiting https://www.stvincenthospital.com/services/diagnostic-imaging.