Phi Health launches high-performance MRI system at RSNA 2009

Phi Health, a healthcare technology company, announced at the RSNA 2009 Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, November 29, 2009 – December 4, 2009, that it is introducing Memex, a proprietary high-performance, yet low-cost 1.5T MRI system.

Memex is a breakthrough MRI system with unprecedented performance superior to existing 1.5T MRI’s, and outperforms 3T MRI’s when imaging dynamic structures, such as the heart and vascular system. Memex achieves this performance with novel and proprietary operating system software. In addition to superior performance, Memex offers value with pricing that is significantly less than the cost of existing 1.5T MRI systems.

Bert Davis, CEO of Phi comments, “Memex is the first example of Phi’s vision to bring the ‘technology-sector paradigm’ to healthcare -- the idea that advances in technology bring better performance at lower cost -- just like the computers and cell phones we use today cost less and do more than they did 10 years ago. This has rarely been the case with healthcare technology. MRI systems have been in use for 25 years, but are still expensive and complex like computers used to be.”

Memex embodies Phi’s philosophy by giving healthcare providers an affordable, simple option when looking to upgrade or acquire the latest in MRI capability. The Memex 1.5T system offers a wide range of basic clinical applications including whole body, neurological and orthopedic, as well as cardiac and vascular. “MR imaging systems do not have to be expensive to provide state-of-the-art imaging performance. Phi believes there should be a standard MRI system with leading-edge performance at an affordable price,” said Suresh Reddy, Chief Technical Officer of Phi.

Phi is currently developing technology that will enable Memex to non-invasively scan coronary arteries and produce images of the complete coronary tree that equals the resolution of coronary angiography. “This capability is the ‘Holy Grail’ for any non-invasive imaging modality and will revolutionize the diagnosis of coronary artery disease,” said Bert Davis, Phi CEO. “We are taking MR imaging to a new level. The result is an unprecedented MR capability with pricing that is a fraction of the cost of systems offered by existing vendors, providing a real solution to runaway healthcare costs.”

Source: Phi Health .