12/1/1997
For Immediate Release
HITACHI SHIPS 200TH AIRIS OPEN MRI SYSTEM
CONTACT:
Sheldon Schaffer
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.
1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106 or 330.425.1313
330.425.1410 FAX
info@hitachimed.com
Twinsburg, Ohio - December 1, 1997 -- Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) announced that they have shipped their 200th AIRIS® Open magnetic resonance (MR) imaging system in November. Hitachi has established a leadership position in Open MR imaging with more than 450 total systems installed in the US and 1350 worldwide.
"The tremendous popularity of AIRIS stems from the fact that it blends the qualities which are most desired in an Open MR today; 0.3T field strength and advanced permanent magnet technology for excellent image quality," explained Sheldon Schaffer, vice president of marketing for HMSA. "Plus, AIRIS' unique award-winning gantry design provides easy access from all four sides and offers the patient a comfortable, non-claustrophobic environment." Hitachi has coined the name premium Open MR for AIRIS.
At the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting being held this week in Chicago, Illinois, Hitachi is expanding their Open MR product line by unveiling AIRIS II ; an enhanced version of AIRIS which is intended to meet the needs of health care providers that desire even higher performance. AIRIS II includes advanced digital electronics and a high-performance RISC-based workstation computer system for more detailed images and faster patient throughput.
"We listen carefully to our customers to make sure we focus our pioneering energy on making the patient more comfortable and developing products with high image quality, reliable performance and low operating costs," said Sheldon Schaffer, Vice President of Marketing for HMSA. "AIRIS has been a great example of how listening can produce a winner for both our customers and us. AIRIS II continues in this tradition and addresses different needs of the market."
AIRIS® II availability is subject to FDA 510 (k) pre-market clearance.
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) markets the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging products of Hitachi Medical Corporation (HMC), Tokyo, Japan. These include the AIRIS 0.3T Open-Air permanent magnet and the STRATIS® 1.5T short-bore, high-field system. HMSA has established itself as a major provider of magnetic resonance imaging systems in the United States. The company has an installed base of approximately 450 MR systems with over 1,350 systems worldwide. With the introduction of high-speed rotational angiographic imaging. Hitachi enters the U.S. X-Ray market with unique technology which increases clinical utility and shortens exam times when compared to traditional systems.
