7/11/2001
For Immediate Release
HITACHI STRENGTHENS OPEN MR LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH THEIR 1,000TH U.S. SHIPMENT
CONTACT:
Sheldon Schaffer
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc.
1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106
330.425.1313 Ext. 5447
330.425.1410 FAX
info@hitachimed.com
www.hitachimed.com
Twinsburg, Ohio – July 2001 – On July 10, Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA) announced the shipment of their 1,000th magnetic resonance (MR) system within the U.S. The company further said that of these 1,000 units, over 98% are still in operation providing state-of-the-art patient care.
"This 1,000th shipment makes another major statement regarding not only Hitachi but also the important position that Open MRI has carved out in diagnostic imaging," said Richard Ernst, President and Chief Executive Officer of HMSA. "We are proud of the part that HMSA and its employees have played in this development, and we are committed to furthering Open MRI through products like our Altaire high-field performance Open MR system."
The 1,000th system is an AIRIS II that was delivered to HealthSouth Corporation (NYSE:HRC) for their new MRI center in Gadsden, Alabama. HealthSouth is the nations largest provider of outpatient diagnostic, surgery and rehabilitative healthcare services, with more than 1,900 facilities in all 50 states, the United Kingdom, Australia, Puerto Rico and Canada.
"Advanced technology has completely changed the field of diagnostic imaging," said HealthSouth Chairman and CEO Richard M. Scrushy. "Hitachi has established itself as a leader in diagnostic imaging technology, and we are proud to use their equipment in many of our diagnostic centers throughout the country."
The AIRIS II Open MR imaging system features an award-winning Open-Air gantry design that is open on all four sides for greater patient comfort and easy access. Its advanced permanent magnet design, powerful gradients and digital electronics combine to deliver excellent image quality over a wide range of imaging techniques.
Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. markets premium, high performance magnetic resonance imaging products of Hitachi Medical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. These include the AIRIS and AIRIS II Open MR systems with advanced permanent magnet technology and the new Altaire high-field performance Open MR system. HMSA has established a leadership position in Open MR imaging with 1,000 systems installed throughout the United States and over 2,300 worldwide. Since the company first popularized the concept of Open MR over a decade ago, it has been the fastest growing segment of MR imaging.
