New Philips MRI research centre targets Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
6 July 2005
Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Philips Medical Systems has opened a new ultra high
field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research centre at its Cleveland
facility. The Philips Achieva 7.0T (tesla) research system installed at the
centre is aimed at studying researchers' needs for ongoing improvements in
MRI capabilities, particularly for the study of degenerative neurological
diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis. The
centre will host the first and only whole body 7.0T MRI system installed in
a corporate environment. The company is also working with other research
centres in the USA, UK and Switzerland to carry out similar research.
The history of MRI has been marked by a push toward ever-higher fields in
order to obtain greater sensitivity and greater imaging resolution, enabling
more detailed visualization of structures in the human body. Currently, the
mainstream clinical standard for cylindrical MRI scanners is 1.5T — a tesla
is a measure of magnetic field strength, which influences resolution and
image quality — with 3.0T systems gaining market share in the higher
performance range. The new research facility will host the world's most
advanced MRI research scanner, the Philips Achieva 7.0T.
"The advanced capability of the 7.0T research system has exciting
implications for some of medicine's most difficult challenges," said Dr
Michael V. Knopp, Chairman of the Department of Radiology at The Ohio State
University and Principle Investigator. "Although we are still in the early
stages of research, it is clear that the 7.0T capability suggests that the
system will be particularly strong in many areas of oncology and at imaging
degenerative neurological diseases — Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple
sclerosis — as well as other neurological conditions such as epilepsy, since
it is clear that the 7.0T produces improved imaging of blood flow and oxygen
use in the brain."
Development of Philips 7.0T MR programme is strengthened by collaboration
with some of the world's leading medical research centres, including The
Ohio State University (OSU). OSU's 7.0T installation is part of the State of
Ohio's Third Frontier Program and involves The OSU, Case Western Reserve
University, the BRTTC (Biomedical Research Technology Transfer Council)
through Ohio's Wright Center project. The Wright Capital Fund is a $1.6
billion plan to create high-paying jobs for Ohioans.
"It is great news for Ohio that these innovative and world-leading
research centres are being opened here," said Ohio Governor Bob Taft. "The
fact that Ohio will be at the forefront of research into the capabilities of
ultra-high field MRI is an important achievement, and helps to build its
position as a home of innovation."
"This facility and Philips Achieva 7.0T will give researchers access to
new MR applications with an investigative power previously unattainable,
allowing improved understanding of neurological diseases," said Gerry
Ranasinghe, general manager, MR, at Philips Cleveland site. "Additionally,
all of Philips MR systems will benefit as we enhance our MR knowledge and
leadership through the 7.0T system, leading to a trickle down effect that
directly benefits the rest of our MR program, including our Achieva 3.0T and
1.5T systems."
Philips is working with some of the world's leading medical research
centres and has received commitments from major research centres worldwide
for the installation of the Achieva 7.0T, including OSU and Vanderbilt
University in the USA, the University of Nottingham in the UK, and The Swiss
Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). The research facility in
Cleveland will also be available for potential Achieva 7.0T customers to
help develop funding proposals for their own 7.0T facility.
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