Innovating
MRI for the Most Vulnerable Patients
MRI in Pediatric Imaging
"In human life, it's like traveling. The first steps determine the whole way."
Arthur Schopenhauer
Newborns and infants can have a variety of complications in their first months and years of life. The earlier a child is born, the higher the risk of any mal- and dysfunction of the body. To safe life and prevent long-term disorder, possible damage must be recognized as early as possible.
The common imaging methods for diagnosing pediatric diseases are Ultrasound and X-ray. For infants, MRI is a much gentler imaging alternative since the patients are not exposed to radiation and not physically touched.
MRI offers high-resolution imaging of all organs with an excellent soft-tissue contrast, which reveals – in the hand of trained experts - many pediatric problems such as congenital malformations, acute bleeding in the brain, neurological disorders or inflammation and tumors. But MRI examinations usually require sedation of the newborn, and the transports to the radiological departments are often long, effortful, and sometimes risky for the patients. Although there is a high medical interest in MR imaging, it is to date not the main imaging method that is used in pediatric care daily life.
For this reason, Neoscan Solutions is devoted to develop a new MRI system especially for the most vulnerable patients, to expand their diagnostic options and making MRI simple and available whenever and wherever it is needed. Our system is adapted to the individual requirements and needs of newborns and infants up to an age of 2 years.
Clinical Need
Radiation-free imaging also for newborns and infants
We want to give the most vulnerable patients the opportunity to be diagnosed at the same high standards as we as adults. Especially in pediatrics there are many questions for which MRI offers profound answers. In contrast to radiation-based radiological examinations, MRI can be used without hesitation and without weighing up the pros and cons. With the Neoscan MRI System, all organs can be examined. For us, this is the future of imaging, especially for infants.
A compact system for keeping distances short
Long risky patient transports to the radiology department, especially of the premature and newborns or children in intensive care are now a thing of the past. We are developing a compact MR system that can be installed in a small space (<10 m²) in an existing facility. Even its operation by a touchpad is straightforward. Thus, MRI is made available where it is needed. Close to the ward. Next to the patient.
MRI as individual as newborns and infants need it
Placing a sleeping infant in a conventional MRI system at a given time of a tightly packed radiology schedule is difficult to imagine and hard to realize. That is the reason why the Neoscan MRI system is specially designed for an individual examination of the most vulnerable patients. The exam starts when the patient is ready. It can easily be paused at any time in case the infant moves or wakes up. The open MRI bore with an accessible patient table offers full control and access to the infant during the exam as well as full protection and safety. The design is adapted to the young patients’ needs. The fact that the system is reserved for infants allows for a stress-free and low acoustic noise examination.