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An estimated 3 million people live in suburban Long Island, yet there are only a handful of diagnostic imaging centers offering open MRI—a modality in high demand, especially for claustrophobic and elderly patients. Now, one Long Island facility is raising the bar on MRI with its recent installation of two next-generation systems from Fujifilm, including one with an open design.
Based in Lake Success, Physicians Open MRI at Neurological Associates of Long Island sought to incorporate the latest technology MRI scanners for two key purposes. First, the ten board certified neurologists require best in class systems to help them deliver the highest quality care to their own patients. Secondly, the practice welcomes referral patients for a wide range of MRI scans including brain, spinal, orthopedic, neurosurgical and ENT-related through its Physicians Open MRI service.
The practice was also focused on patient comfort features, especially recognizing that many neurological conditions have a higher prevalence in older patients. The practice also wanted the ability to perform the most advanced neurological imaging studies offered in their region.
Working with Fujifilm, Physicians Open MRI at Neurological Associates of Long Island decided to upgrade its MRI machines installed in 2008 to Fujifilm’s latest models. The facility now offers Fujifilm’s wide bore 1.5T ECHELON Synergy and our open design, high-field OASIS Velocity imaging system—both boasting fast scan times and high-resolution images driven by artificial intelligence.
With the new Fujifilm systems in place, everyone is benefiting— neurological patients, referring physicians, and their patients—from across Long Island. The Fujifilm MRI machines provide speedy, comfortable scans for a wide range of applications. What’s more, the Neurological Associates clinical team notes many of its patients come from long distances, so being able to offer MRI during the same visit enables efficient and cost-effective care.
“Fujifilm’s technology allows us to take advantage of advances in artificial intelligence and deep learning to increase the resolution of our scans while reducing image acquisition times. That means we’re able to provide more same day scans as well as faster time to diagnosis,” said Vincent DeOrchis, MD MS FAAN, neurologist at Neurological Associates of Long Island.
A Better Patient Experience
One of the best things about the group’s new MRI machines is they’ve boosted patient comfort and confidence. Scans are now swifter and easier on elderly, bariatric and claustrophobic patients and fewer patients are cancelling due to qualms about undergoing an MRI.
Fujifilm designed both systems with patient comfort as a top priority. For example, scans done on the ECHELON Synergy 1.5 MRI are 50% faster than our previous generation MRI. The system’s 70cm-wide bore and 62cm-wide table helps make the scanning experience more comfortable for patients of all ages and sizes. Finally, ECHELON Synergy’s SoftSound™ gradient technology reduces acoustic noise, helping patients relax during the procedure.
At 1.2T, our OASIS Velocity is the only truly open sided high-field MRI system, specifically designed to accommodate the most challenging patients – including those who experience anxiety or claustrophobia during MRI scans. This true open design provides patients an unobstructed lateral view, maximizing comfort. According to technologists at Physician’s Open MRI at Neurological Associates of Long Island, the OASIS Velocity’s look, feel and speed of scanning have made it easier and safer to scan patients who previously required sedation.
In addition to rapid image acquisition, excellent image resolution powered by deep learning reconstruction tools, and patient comfort features, Fujifilm’s MRI systems include advanced neurologic imaging packages—which was essential to Neurological Associates.
Physician’s Open MRI at Neurological Associates of Long Island now has access to advanced imaging options for comprehensive evaluation of the brain, spine and peripheral nervous system. With these robust tools, the clinical team can conduct a wide range of studies including MR perfusion, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), MR neurography, CSF flow studies, MR venography, phase contrast arteriography, and high-resolution joint and tissue imaging.
The new Fujifilm MRI machines enable the practice’s neurologists to perform more types of studies and provide better care for their patients. At the same time, referring physicians across Long Island can rest assured their patients will not only receive a quality scan, but also have a quality experience. Thanks to Physician’s Open MRI at Neurological Associates of Long Island best-in-class technology choices, fast, powerful and comfortable MRI is easier to find on Long Island.