Pelvic Endo Coil Developed for MRI Systems

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) endo coil array for pelvic imaging provides a new solution for imaging and analysis of the region. Moreover, a new breast coil array is designed to provide excellent signal-to-noise ratio as well as optimal access for breast biopsies.

Hologic, Inc. (Bedford, MA, USA), a developer, manufacturer diagnostics, medical imaging systems and surgical products, announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared two Hologic MRI products: the Sentinelle two-channel endo coil and Sentinelle’s 16-channel breast coil for several Siemens Healthcare (Erlangen, Germany) platforms.

The Sentinelle MRI endo coil employs Hologic’s innovative technology designed to provide high signal-to-noise imaging to help visualize and localize cancers in the pelvic region, and especially prostate cancer. Siemens and Toshiba (Tokyo, Japan) are completing final release processes to enable product shipments in 2012.

Hologic’s new 16-channel Sentinelle breast coil builds on the company’s strength in breast MRI interventional and analysis solutions for managing breast cancer. The 16-channel array is pending validation by Siemens and will initially be available on the Siemens TIM (total imaging matrix) platforms, followed by validation on the Siemens Aera and Skyra MRI platforms.

“We are excited about the possibilities these new products bring healthcare professionals for finding and treating breast and prostate cancer at the earliest stage possible,” said Peter Soltani, PhD, senior vice president and general manager of Hologic’s breast health division. “For the past decade, Hologic has worked diligently to help healthcare professionals diagnose and treat breast cancer at its earliest stages. Our newest 16-channel Sentinelle MRI breast coil array is yet another innovative tool added to that arsenal. In addition, we are very pleased with the FDA clearance of our new Sentinelle endo coil to address another debilitating disease state: prostate cancer.”

Hologic offers imaging, interventional, and analysis solutions for breast MRI. Unlike competitive breast coils, Hologic’s variable coil geometry feature allows for the diagnostic coils and biopsy grid positioning to conform to each patient. This advance can improve image quality, decrease set-up time, increase patient accommodation, and improve access to lesions for biopsy. When combined with the Hologic ATEC minimally invasive breast biopsy device for MRI and Hologic Aegis software for image analysis and interventional planning, the Company provides a unique suite of products.

The company’s MRI endo coil array for pelvic imaging provides a new system for imaging and analysis of the pelvic region including the prostate, cervix, colon, and the surrounding tissues in the pelvis. Complementing the endo coil array, MRI solutions offer a prostate plug in for analysis of prostate MR images to the Aegis software platform.

Hologic, Inc. is a developer and manufacturer of diagnostics products, medical imaging systems, and surgical products dedicated to serving the healthcare needs of women. Hologic’s core business units are focused on breast health, diagnostics, gynecologic surgical, and skeletal health.

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