Hendrick Medical Center-Brownwood has installed a new technologically advanced MRI machine, called the General Electric Signa Artist 1.5 Tesla MRI system. According to Hendrick, the new system “is state-of-the-art, with improvements in computing power, software and hardware. This system is capable of performing new imaging techniques and procedures that will benefit our patients, including orthopedic extremity exams, cardiac, prostate, abdominal and neurological procedures.”

When asked about what makes it better than previous versions of MRI machines, Hendrick said that, for one, the tube that a patient goes into will be larger and shorter. “Patients who are physically larger in size, along with those individuals who are claustrophobic, should have greater success in tolerating the test, which ultimately leads to better images and diagnoses,” said Hendrick. 

Another benefit is that the time in the machine will be a shorter duration as well. “The new General Electric Signa Artist 1.5 Tesla system is dramatically faster than the one we recently removed,” said Hendrick. yielding much shorter exam times. The improvements to the machine will allow patients more comfort in the machine, and yield better imaging that is needed to make a proper diagnosis. 

[Story by Jacob Lehrer]