Point of Care Neonatal MRI System Offers Transformative Solution for Neuroimaing Inside NICU
Posted on 22 Sep 2023
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers invaluable insights for neonatologists, but its application has been restricted in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) due to the precarious health condition of many infants. The risk involved in transporting them to a radiology department for a traditional MRI is too high. Now, an MRI system specifically designed for neonatal care is transforming neonatal neuroimaging by allowing scans to be performed right inside the NICU.
The Embrace Neonatal MRI system from Aspect Imaging (Los Angeles, CA, USA) is the world’s first FDA-cleared and CE-approved MRI system that is particularly designed to meet the unique imaging requirements of premature and newborn babies. Unlike conventional MRI systems, the Embrace is compact and self-contained, making it suitable for installation directly in the NICU—a setting where space is at a premium and the risks are too high to accommodate a full-sized adult MRI scanner. Embrace also features an integrated, temperature-controlled bed to better regulate the infant's surroundings, with sound levels that support the developmental needs of NICU patients. This innovative design makes MRI scans more accessible and safe for these vulnerable infants while delivering vital data to healthcare providers just when it's most needed.
![Image: Embrace is the first FDA 510(k) cleared and CE marked dedicated neonatal MRI system (Photo courtesy of Aspect Imaging) Image: Embrace is the first FDA 510(k) cleared and CE marked dedicated neonatal MRI system (Photo courtesy of Aspect Imaging)](https://globetechcdn.com/mobile_medicalimaging/images/stories/articles/article_images/2023-09-22/SDD-294798706.jpg)
With the Embrace system, babies can be scanned almost immediately upon receiving a doctor's order, thus speeding up diagnosis and treatment. This eliminates the risks associated with taking these critically ill infants out of the NICU for imaging. The technology employed by Aspect Imaging ensures that the Embrace system delivers high-quality diagnostic images, comparable to those produced by traditional MRI machines, but in a compact, self-contained setup. This makes MRI scans faster, easier to administer, and more accessible, improving the overall evaluation, diagnosis, and care of these delicate patients.
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Aspect Imaging