Siemens Healthcare to install Canada's first Biograph mMR at St. Joseph's Health Centre's Lawson Health Research Institute in London, Ontario

Platform reduces procedure time by allowing simultaneous MR and PET scanning

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 8, 2012 /CNW/ - Scientists at the Lawson Health Research Institute will be the first in Canada to use the Biograph mMR magnetic resonance imaging/ positron emission tomography/ (MR/PET) system to study treatable mechanisms of brain damage caused by stroke and Alzheimer's disease. Lawson researchers predict that this new technology will soon aid clinicians in determining the most beneficial patient therapies and in reducing the burden of stroke and dementia among Canadians.

Siemens is the only vendor in the world to provide a synchronous MR/PET solution with the Biograph mMR. Simultaneous acquisition of MR and PET images reduces overall procedure time by providing both data sets in a single exam, thereby significantly reducing exam duration compared to traditional sequential imaging. Faster procedure times improve the patient experience and enable faster delivery of images for clinician review.

"Siemens and Lawson have been research partners for 24 years, working together to enhance the lives of Canadians," says Jim Graziadei, senior vice president, Siemens Healthcare. "Integrating these two powerful modalities into one simultaneous whole-body system represents a breakthrough innovation. Technologies such as the Biograph mMR provide our customers with solutions to improve clinical workflow, and as a result, improve patient care in a sustainable, cost-effective manner."

With its simultaneous data acquisition, the Biograph mMR is expected to be particularly valuable in the identification of neurological, oncological and cardiac conditions of disease and in supporting therapy planning. The Biograph mMR also opens new opportunities for research, such as the development of new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches.

"MR/PET scanners are among the most exciting and talked about developments in radiology and nuclear medicine and represent the next generation of imaging technology," states Dr. Frank Prato, Imaging Program Leader at Lawson and Physicist Chief at St. Joseph's Hospital. "The applications for MR/PET are limitless.  The scanner will be used by researchers in London to help improve diagnosis and treatment of Canada's major health challenges, such as cardiovascular disease, neurological diseases, mental health, and cancer."

Siemens Healthcare was awarded the Biograph mMR contract from the Lawson Health Research Institute in September of 2011. Platform installation began February 7, with full commissioning expected by summer 2012. A symposium exploring several mMR research programs is planned for late 2012.

For more information: http://www.siemens.com/press/healthcare/Biograph-mMR

The herein mentioned product is not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons its future availability in any country cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details.

About Siemens Healthcare
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source - from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 51,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2011 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 12.5 billion euros and profit of around 1.3 billion euros. For further information please visit: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

About Siemens in Canada
For 100 years the innovative ideas from Siemens have helped make Canada a better place. From the Atlantic to Pacific oceans, more than 4,400 employees in Canada work together to provide answers that last in the fields of industry, energy and healthcare, as well as deliver infrastructure solutions for cities. Since it was federally chartered in August of 1912, Siemens has stood for technical achievements, innovation, quality and reliability. Sales for Siemens in Canada in fiscal 2011 (ended September 30), were $3.0 billion CAD. The company has 61 offices and 13 manufacturing/assembly facilities across Canada. Further information is available at www.siemens.ca

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