- March 3, 1998
March Imaging Trends
As many mobile MRI companies are moving out of the business, one company is on the
rise with a commitment to leadership in the industry. Specialized Imaging is the newest
mobile MRI company to emerge into the national market, and they have done it very
quickly. "We have been in business for almost two years now" says Robert Morin,
CEO. "We are growing at a very rapid pace and we intend to keep up the pace."
How has Specialized Imaging grown so quickly? "The partners in this company have
extensive backgrounds in Imaging," says Rick Matthews, VP of Operations. "We are
all registered radiological technologists, and two of us are MRI technologists as well.
This is one reason our company is so successful."
Specialized Imaging spent several months in research and development before
operations actually began. Its mission was to provide high quality, high tech MRI
scanners to its clients. "We are offering something that no other MRI company offers its
clients. This is how we intend to capture the market," says Robert Morin.
Just what does Specialized Imaging offer that other companies do not? "We offer the
new high field short bore systems to every client. These systems are 1998 technology,"
says Cheryl Burnett, Senior VP of Marketing. "These systems have very strong
gradients (27 mT), have a large bore size (60 cm), and a short bore length (less than
five feet). The new short bore systems accommodate claustrophobic patients and have
a patient weight limit of 450 lbs. These systems have the characteristics of an open
system. However, the image quality is exceptional."
But wait, there's more. "All of our systems come with phased-array coils," says Rick
Matthews. 'This is something that other mobile companies do not offer all of their
clients. Our systems also come with power injectors for contrast studies. Our first
high-field system contained the first power injector on a mobile unit in the world. This is
a great accomplishment. We also a teleradiology system on board each system. This
can be used to send images to referring physicians or the radiologist for interpretation.
These images are transferred via modem for quick viewing."
Specialized Imaging combines it ability to provide high quality, state-of-the-art Mm
systems with a unique personal approach to the client. "We understand that managed
care has tightened everyone's ability to spend. Budgets are tight and money is a big
issue. Our prices are very competitive. We want this to be a win-win situation for
everyone. We find that the prices we charge are very competitive with the older
equipment of our competitors. Most of the competition does not offer anything even
close in quality. Why pay more and get less? We think these clients should get the
quality they deserve." says Cheryl Burnett.
"We want to change the perception of mobile MRI. It is not just for small hospitals
anymore. Some of our clients are very large facilities. Having a mobile service does not
mean that you have to sacrifice quality of service or equipment. We are here to change
this whole perspective," says Robert Morin. Specialized Imaging definitely has what it
takes to become a leader in the mobile MRI industry: experience, dedication, quality
equipment, and quality service. Specialized Imaging's corporate office is located in
Dallas, Texas.
Many radiology departments are making the change from conventional darkrooms and
chemical processing techniques to dry-view processors. These processors have several
major advantages over conventional processors, according to Jim Travis, product
specialist for Imation. Dry-view processing eliminates the costs associated with buying,
storing, and maintaining chemicals. Secondly, there is an environmental benefit because
no chemicals are used; therefore chemicals aren't flushed through plumbing systems.
The third and greatest benefit of dry-view processing is the siting flexibility. There is no
darkroom needed for dry-view imaging. The need for plumbing is also eliminated. It
also allows for the radiology department to decentralize because these processors can
be put virtually anywhere. One hospital even has it placed in the cafeteria!
Technologists no longer have to run to and from gathering films after development. This
time element can be crucial in a busy radiology department. The dry-view processor is
very reliable. A survey done by Imation revealed that these cameras have a
99%-uptime rate.
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